May 12, 2021
A plan revealed by state lawmakers to reduce the portion of money the Public Library Fund is a concern to library officials across Ohio. The Public Library Fund is comprised of 1.7% of Ohio's general revenue fund. That's about $871 million over the biennium. But that would drop to 1.66% under the proposal - $22 million less over two years for all libraries, according to the Ohio Library Council. And if a proposed income tax is factored in and state revenues fall, it could be worse. The Director of the Chillicothe-Ross County Library, James Hill, tells the Chillicothe Gazette while it's unclear how many dollars would be lost if the twin cuts were put into effect, it would be felt by the system. Hill adds it would no doubt effect the day-to-day operations of the library. Libraries say the need for their books, magazines, job centers and story-times is greater than ever following the chaos and uncertainty of a pandemic year.