4/19/11 OLC Presents State Budget Testimony
Kim Fender, Executive Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and Chair of the OLC Government Relations Committee, testified on behalf of the OLC and Ohio 's public libraries on the state budget before the House Finance Committee on Fri., April 15. Fender's testimony detailed the impact of reduced public library funding at a time when Ohio 's public libraries are experiencing unprecedented levels of use. She also noted the new challenges facing libraries, including serving the needs of the unemployed, accessing e-government, and customers seeking e-content. Fender concluded her remarks talking about how the proposed five percent decrease in funding will further exacerbate the challenges for libraries that have experienced a cumulative 30% decrease in funding during the past few years. The transcript of Fender's testimony can be found online.
During the hearing, House Finance Committee members expressed their appreciation for public libraries and asked several questions about the Public Library Fund. They asked how much of the drop in funding during the last biennium was a result of changing the percentage of the PLF and how much was a result of the economy and drop in state revenue. They also asked about the impact of the proposed change in Tangible Personal Property and utility tax reimbursements. The OLC provided a written response to those questions in a letter to Rep. Ron Amstutz, Chair of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
State Librarian Beverly Cain, State Library Governmental Affairs Coordinator Bill Morris, and OPLIN Executive Director Stephen Hedges attended the hearing to show their support for public library funding.
