Your Public Library and the State Budget
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) is committed to keeping you informed about the latest developments and updates to the State Budget of Ohio.
Here are some facts about the Public Library Fund:
- Nearly 20% of CML’s total operational budget (materials, staff, building maintenance, programs) is supported by the Public Library Fund of Ohio.
- The Public Library Fund is reauthorized every two years in the state budget.
- The Public Library Fund receives 1.7% of the Ohio General Revenue Fund and is shared among all 251 public library systems across the state.
- 48 of the 251 public library systems in Ohio solely rely on the Public Library Fund for operational funding.
- The state has supported public libraries with funding to deliver services at the local level for nearly a century.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND ADVOCACY
CML and public libraries across the state of Ohio have been advocating for a small percentage increase in the Public Library Fund. Why?
- The Public Library Fund has not been adjusted for inflation in 25 years.
- In 2024, the Public Library Fund saw a $27 million shortfall.
- Library use and customer visits are increasing in Ohio. In 2024, Ohioans visited their local libraries more than 48 million times. CML’s visits were 5.5 million.
- Right now, the Public Library Fund makes up less than 0.5% of the entire state budget.
- For every $1 invested in public libraries, residents see a $5 return in valuable services.
ACTIONS BY GOVERNOR DEWINE
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been a strong supporter of public libraries in Ohio. In his budget proposal to the Statehouse, the Governor recommended funding public libraries at 1.75% of the Ohio General Revenue Fund – a .05% increase.
- In fiscal year 2026, this increase would have led to a projected $531.7 million for the Public Library Fund.
- In fiscal year 2027, this would have led to a projected $549.1 million for the Public Library Fund.
ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE
In April, we asked you to contact your Ohio House of Representatives member in response to their budget proposal to reduce the Public Library Fund. Even with your outpouring of support, the House passed a budget bill proposal that still included reduced funding for libraries, along with additional library operations restrictions.
- The House voted to remove the Public Library Fund as it currently stands (1.7% of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund), instead moving the fund to fiscal year appropriations.
- Appropriations are year-by-year lump sums of money that are much more vulnerable to future funding cuts.
ACTIONS IN THE SENATE
On June 11, the Ohio Senate passed its budget proposal for the Public Library Fund. If signed into law by Governor DeWine on June 30, public libraries in Ohio will see negative and wide-ranging implications.
- The Senate proposal would reduce the Public Library Fund by approximately $10 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 compared to the House plan. Combined with the overall line-item appropriation level, this represents a $25 million cut to public libraries compared to the previous fiscal year.
OTHER NEGATIVE ACTIONS AGAINST LIBRARIES
Additionally, the Senate has reconfirmed the House’s proposal to segregate materials that discuss gender and sex from minors. This provision raises unresolved constitutional and legal concerns, diminishes local decision-making and the professional judgment of library staff, and restricts access to library materials and ideas while imposing an unfunded mandate on public libraries.
A new provision added by the Senate eliminates our ability to self-request property tax levy replacements and allows the County Budget Commission to reduce or withhold voter-approved levy funds based on subjective criteria related to the library’s overall financial standing.
NEXT STEPS
There are still some steps remaining in this budget process. We are continuing to advocate for the reinstatement of Governor DeWine’s Public Library Fund proposal ($531.7 million in fiscal year 2026 and $549.1 million in fiscal year 2027) and the elimination of the additional constraints on public library operations.
Even though the state budget proposal has passed both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, there is still time to advocate via the budget conference committee, composed of leadership from the Senate and House.
At this stage, direct conversations between legislative and library leaders could yield positive results. The Legislative Service Commission created a document comparing the House and Senate bills (mention of the Public Library Fund is on page 732, with other Public Library Fund services reductions on pages 554, 555, and 556).
Through each development, we plan to keep you, the taxpayer, apprised of this legislative activity that will affect our future ability to provide the materials, programs, support, and technologies that you depend on.
