The OLC has put together a number of tools to help you become a powerful advocate for Ohio’s public libraries.

Advocacy

2025 Advocacy Action Plan (PDF)
Week-by-week advocacy strategy during state budget deliberations (February-June 2025).

2025 Advocacy Calendar (PDF)
Month-by-month calendar of advocacy activities and ideas to use at your library throughout the year.

Library Legislative Day
Grassroots advocacy event in Columbus.

Fact Sheets

• History of Library Funding in Ohio
• Frequently Asked Questions about Library Funding (PDF)
• “Did You Know?” Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Digital Services available at Ohio’s Public Libraries (PDF)
• HB 309 and HB 335 Analysis and Talking Points
• Spreadsheet from the Legislative Budget Office of the Legislative Services Commission  (PDF)

Legislative Contacts

• 136th General Assembly Directory (PDF)
• Find My District Tool (Search by address for Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and Congressional Districts)
• Ohio House of Representatives
• Ohio Senate
• Format for Legislative Office Visit (PDF)

Tools and Templates

• How Our Library is Funded & How Funds Are Spent (PDF)
  1. Fill in the form with your library’s financial information.
  2. Download “with your changes.”
  3. Save and print.
• Library Statistics Template (PDF)
  Customize with your library’s data.
• Who’s My Legislator? bookmark template (PDF)
  Customize these bookmarks with your legislators’ information and share them with your library customers.
• We Love Ohio Libraries sign (PDF)

Local Return on Investment Calculator

Local ROI Calculator (download Excel spreadsheet)
Within the document are four tabs:

1. Instructions on how to complete the calculator
2. Actual ROI Calculator
3. Explanation of what the ROI figures mean and how to utilize them; and
4. Notes on the pricing and cost assumptions.

NOTE: It is helpful to print the “Instructions” worksheet first and gather your information before entering the data.

More Facts:

• Unlike counties, cities and school districts, public libraries do not receive revenue from Ohio’s casinos.
• Not all public libraries have a local property tax levy. 48 public library systems rely on state funding through the PLF as their primary source of funding for day-to-day operations and providing services to their communities.
• More than half of the total funding for Ohio’s public libraries comes from the state through the PLF.
• Unlike schools and other local governments, public libraries do not receive state funding for facilities/buildings through the Capital Appropriations Bill. The only option is to utilize operating funds, pass a bond levy, or borrow extremely limited amounts of funds.

Highlight how your library:

• Offers literacy and homework help for children, including free tutoring, after-school programs and summer enrichment.
• Provides public access to the internet, computers and the latest technology, including mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, tablets, 3-D printers, and more.
• Helps Ohioans find jobs and provide online educational courses and tech training.
• Serves as the hub for your community and a place for people to gather.
• Collaborates with schools, food banks, and state and local government entities to help deliver local services.
• Provides life-long learning opportunities and programming for all ages.
• Offers personalized, one-on-one support to find unbiased and well researched information as well as community resources.