1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Recently the Ohio State House of Representatives proposed to eliminate the Public Library Fund. This $100 million dollar cut effectively restricts and reduces funding to libraries across Ohio, making library funding a line item in the state budget. The PLF has been a mechanism that has funded 251 public library systems for decades. The PLF has been an assured partner of libraries in the State of Ohio for over 100 years. The unprecedented elimination of the Public Library Fund comes at a time when libraries across the state already saw a $27 million shortfall in state funding in 2024. Ohio’s libraries are currently funded at the same level we were in the year 2000 with no adjustment for inflation. Libraries are necessary community resources for all and have been instrumental in facilitating education, socialization, skill development, and shared collaboration for all ages—especially since the pandemic. Do NOT support this legislation! Protect our public libraries! Support our communities!