Library Leaders from the Lake to River Counties take the fight to preserve library funding to Columbus and come back with some success but more challenges lie ahead.
Three hundred and fifty library leaders descended on the Statehouse in Columbus on Tuesday, April 8th, as part of the Ohio Library Council’s annual Legislative Day to give voice to the tens of thousands of library supporters who reached out to their elected officials to fight cuts to library funding. Fifteen of those leaders were from Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, comprising the Lake to River Library delegation.
The public’s support for library funding produced some short-term success but there is much work to be done moving forward. Reacting to community pressure, House Leadership did pare down cuts to library funding, but they chose to end dedicated funding to the Public Library Fund (PLF) as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund (GRF) which presents a significant threat to library funding over the long term. Library leaders are calling upon area statewide elected officials to not only restore dedicated funding, but to expand the PLF from 1.7% of the General Revenue Fund (GRF) to 1.75% as in the original budget proposal by Governor DeWine.
“We had some very fruitful conversations with our elected officials, and I do think they are hearing what the community is telling them about preserving library funding.” said Brad Stephens, Salem Public Library Director, and Fiscal Officer.
“In the House Budget just passed, PLYMC funding cuts were reduced from $1.35M to around $90,000.” said Aimee Fifarek, Director & CEO of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. “I want to thank the tireless efforts of local supporters and patrons who reached out to their elected officials to help reduce these disastrous cuts to our funding,” added Fifarek
Short-term funding cuts are only part of the overall threat to the state’s financial support for libraries.
“While we are pleased to see planned funding cuts reduced in the House Budget, the real threat long term is changing how we fund the PLF,” said Jim Wilkins, Director/Fiscal Officer
Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. “Rather than as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund, in the House Budget libraries across the state will be funded through a line-item appropriation subject to the whims of distant legislators in Columbus and not by those who actually use and need our services here at home.”
Funding cuts of any size are particularly damaging for smaller rural libraries.
"I believe our community outreach has made a significant impact, helping the House recognize that their initial funding proposal was disconnected from the real needs of our community. Operating a rural library in Ohio means that every penny matters, especially since we do not receive essential funding for facilities through the Capital Budget, nor do we benefit from county sales tax, city income tax, casino revenue, or inside millage like other local government entities" said Mariana Branch, Director of Kingsville Public Library.
The bill now goes to the Senate where their deliberations will begin. Library leaders across the region ask their patrons and community leaders to reach out to their state Senators to fight for library funding and protect dedicated funding for public libraries in Ohio rather than a line-item appropriation.