Ohio Public Libraries and the state budget

As Library supporters, we want to keep you informed about recent changes and updates to the state budget. Included in the current version of the budget are provisions to:

  1. Change funding of the Public Library Fund (PLF) from 1.7% of the General Revenue Fund to a line-item appropriation, making library funding more vulnerable to future budget cuts.
  2. Reduce the amount of money libraries were slated to receive in Governor DeWine’s proposed budget by $41 million in 2026 and $49 million in 2027.
  3. Eliminate our ability to self-request property tax levy replacements and for the County Budget Commission to reduce our property tax collection if they believe we have enough money to operate.
  4. Require libraries to move books related to sexual orientation and gender identity from the view of children under 18.

Here are some facts about the Public Library Fund:

  • Roughly 35.8% of Lorain Public Library System’s total budget is supported by the PLF. The rest comes from our local levies.
  • The PLF is reauthorized every two years in the state budget.
  • The PLF receives just 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 PLF for operational funding.
  • The state has supported public libraries with funding to deliver services at the local level for nearly a century.

PLF Advocacy

Public libraries across the state have been advocating for a small percentage increase in the PLF. Why?

  • It has not been adjusted for inflation in 25 years.
  • In 2024, the PLF saw a $27 million shortfall that forced several libraries to make funding cuts that didn't impact patrons.
  • Usage is growing in Ohio libraries. In 2024, Ohioans visited their local libraries more than 48 million times.
  • Right now, the PLF makes up less than 0.5% of the entire state budget.
  • For every $1 invested in public libraries, residents see a $5 return in valued services.

State budget comparisons

Fiscal Year Senate actual after state reductions Governor DeWine's proposal House/Senate proposal
2026 $531.7 million $490 million $479.7 million
2027 $549.1 million $500 million $489.7 million
Fiscal Year 2026 2027
Governor DeWine's proposal $531.7 million $549.1 million
House/Senate proposal $490 million $500 million
Senate actual after state reductions $479.7 million $489.7 million

Actions by Governor DeWine

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been a strong supporter of Ohio's public libraries. In his budget proposal to the Statehouse, the Governor recommended funding public libraries at 1.75% of the Ohio General Revenue Fund – just a .05% increase.

  • In fiscal year 2026, this increase would have led to a projected $531.7 million for the PLF.
  • In fiscal year 2027, this would have led to a projected $549.1 million for the PLF.

Actions in the House

You may recall that in April, we asked for your help contacting your Ohio House of Representatives member in response to their budget proposal to reduce the PLF. Even with your outpouring of support – thousands of emails and hundreds of letters sent – 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 PLF as it currently stands (1.7% of Ohio's General Revenue Fund) and move this fund to fiscal year appropriations.
    • Appropriations are year-by-year lump sums of money, which are much more vulnerable to future funding cuts.
  • In fiscal year 2026, the House's budget would deliver $490 million to the PLF.
  • In fiscal year 2027, the House's budget would deliver $500 million to the PLF.

Actions in the Senate

On June 11, the Ohio Senate reaffirmed and passed the House's budget proposal for the PLF. If signed into law by Governor DeWine on June 30, public libraries in Ohio will see negative and wide-ranging implications.

  • In fiscal year 2026, the Senate proposal would deliver $490 million to the PLF.
  • In fiscal year 2027, the Senate proposal would deliver $500 million to the PLF.
  • In addition, the following state agencies and entities would be funded through the PLF, further reducing state funding for public libraries from the line-item appropriation: State Library of Ohio, Ohioana Library, Regional Library Systems, Ohio Public Library Information Network and the Library for the Blind.
    • These expenses include the State Library of Ohio, Ohioana Library, Ohio Public Library Information Network, the Library for the Blind and regional library systems.

Other negative actions against libraries

Additionally, the Senate has reconfirmed the House's proposal to:

  • Remove materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity from the view of minors.
  • Reduce library board member term limits from seven to four years.
  • Eliminate our ability to self-request property tax levy replacements and for the County Budget Commission to reduce our property tax collection if they believe we have enough money to operate.

Next steps

There are still some steps remaining in this budget process. We are continuing to advocate for the reinstatement of the Governor's PLF 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 general operating budget proposal has passed both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, there is still time to advocate via the budget conference committee – which is composed of leadership from the Senate and House – which happens before the budget gets to the Governor's desk.

State budget timeline

  1. January
    136th Ohio General Assembly starts.
  2. Early to mid-February
    Governor's executive budget is submitted to the General Assembly.
  3. February, March, April
    Budget bill introduced. House budget hearings occur and directors testify in subcommittee meetings.
  4. April, May, June
    Senate version introduced. Senate budget hearings occur.
  5. June
    Conference committee (mid-June). Final budget passed (end of June).
  6. July 1
    New fiscal year begins.

At this stage in the process, direct conversations between legislative leaders and library leaders are likely to yield positive results. However, we wanted to keep you, the taxpayer, informed of this legislative activity that will affect our future ability to provide the materials, programs, technologies, building access and staff support you depend on.

If you're interested, here is where the Legislative Service Commission provides a comparison between the House and Senate bills (mention of the PLF is on page 732, with other PLF services reductions on pages 554, 555, and 556).