Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.
Ohio’s libraries urgently need your help! Contact your state representative today and tell them not to cut library funding.
The Ohio House of Representatives is currently working on the state budget for the next two years. This week, the House Finance Committee accepted a budget amendment that eliminates the Public Library Fund and replaces it with a line-item appropriation. This change represents an immediate $100 million cut to library funding. The line-item change could also result in completely striking library funds from future budgets.
Eliminating the Public Library Fund is a threat to library programs, materials, and services. We rely on revenue from the state’s Public Library Fund to support the books, resources, programs and services that you rely on. Just a few of these everyday items include:
- Pre-K literacy programs
- Support to local schools, summer school programs, and student internships
- Workforce and technology training
- Digital resources, WiFi, and public computers
- Notary services, passports, faxing
This proposed budget cut comes at a time when Ohio’s libraries are already funded at the same level as the year 2000. The state has not adjusted library funding for inflation in 25 years. Since 2000, our community has grown, the needs have grown, and we have adjusted and continued to serve all of you.
How can you help? Contact our state representative, Heidi Workman and House Speaker Matt Huffman TODAY. Tell them to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in Governor DeWine’s proposed budget. In your message, share how important the library is to you and your family. Explain how a cut to library funding would affect you and your neighborhood. We have just one week to make a difference — this funding proposal will go forward unless we can convince our state legislators that this move is bad for Ohio.
Send an email to both Representative Workman and Speaker Huffman at the same
time using our form at https://www.reedlibrary.org/dontcutohiolibraries. You can also call Representative Heidi Workman’s office at 614-466-2004. Speaker Huffman can be reached at 614-466-6344
We are so grateful for the community we serve and the support you show for our
library. Thank you for acting today and fighting to restore funding to Reed
Memorial Library and libraries across the state.
— Amy Young, Director, Reed Memorial Library
The Portager publishes a range of opinions from the community. To submit a letter to the editor, write to [email protected].