Ohio libraries risk losing $22 million under state budget proposal
Too early to know the impact on Coshocton County Library System
COLUMBUS - Ohio public libraries are pressuring lawmakers to keep funding levels steady and reject a plan to tweak a funding formula that delivers nearly half of all the money used to operate 251 library systems across the state, including in Coshocton County.
On the surface, it doesn t seem like much – shaving state funding for the Public Library Fund (PLF) from 1.7% to 1.66% of Ohio s general revenue fund – but it would amount to a $22 million hit over two years, according to the Ohio Library Council. Data on how that $22 million would fall on each library system was not available.
Ohio libraries say public need their services more than ever
View Comments
Area libraries say the need for their books, magazines, job centers and storytimes is greater than ever following the chaos and uncertainty of a pandemic year.
But a recently revealed plan by lawmakers to reduce the state s portion of the Public Library Fund that delivers nearly half of operating funding for Ohio s 251 library systems would be a hardship for some and catastrophic for many, library officials say. I would ask them to support the services that their constituents support, said George Needham, director of the Delaware County District Library system. I can t think of anything other than maybe roads that the state does that is used by a larger percentage of the public than libraries.
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.