Take Action: Contact the Governor
June 25, 2025 — Ohio's public libraries are sounding the alarm over provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 state budget (House Bill 96) that threaten both the financial stability and mission of Ohio’s public libraries.
The budget includes a $25 million reduction in funding to the Public Library Fund (PLF), dropping total state support from $504.6 million in FY25 to $479.7 million in FY26. This decrease is the result of a shift to a fixed line-item appropriation and the addition of $10.3 million in annual transfers to support state agencies and other organizations, money that will be diverted directly from local public libraries.
More alarming, however, is a provision buried in HB 96 (ORC Section 3375.47), which would require public libraries to segregate materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, guaranteeing they are not visible to anyone under 18.
This language is dangerously vague, overly broad, and ultimately unworkable. It opens the door to unconstitutional censorship and undermines the core mission of libraries—to provide free and open access to information.
Ohio’s public libraries have long-established collection development policies that ensure materials reflect the needs of their local communities. These policies include processes for public input, parental controls, and age-appropriate library card options.
Legal experts have already raised constitutional red flags, warning that the HB 96 language could violate both state and federal free speech protections. In Arkansas, a similar law was struck down in federal court for violating the First Amendment.
Implementing this mandate in Ohio could come with an extraordinary cost. Some library systems estimate it would take up to six years of staff time and millions of dollars to audit and relocate materials. One large system projects compliance would cost over $3.1 million—additional funds that are not provided for in the budget.
For smaller libraries with limited square footage, complying would be physically impossible. In some cases, this law could result in entire library branches becoming adult-only spaces, depriving families of vital access to learning, literature and community programs.
This provision has no financial impact on the state’s balance sheet, but it would force local libraries to spend millions of dollars and years of staff time complying with an unfunded, unconstitutional mandate. This is a dangerous overreach that undermines intellectual freedom and punishes the very institutions that provide safe and open spaces for Ohioans of all ages.
Governor DeWine has the power to veto this provision—and your voice can make a difference.
We are asking library staff, trustees, and supporters to contact Governor DeWine and respectfully urge him to veto the provision that restricts access to library materials. This language is vague, overly broad, and imposes a costly, unfunded mandate on Ohio’s public libraries.
CONTACT:
Governor Mike DeWine
Main Line: (614) 466-3555
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357
https://governor.ohio.gov/
Mailing Address:
Governor Mike DeWine
77 S. High Street – 30th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
As you reach out, we encourage you to be respectful and focus on key points such as:
- Public libraries already have policies in place to address this issue.
- Libraries do not act “in loco parentis” – we do not act in the place of parents or guardians. Parents and guardians play an important role in what their children are reading.
- The bill language is overly broad, vague and unworkable.
- Implementing this language would be extremely costly and difficult to manage. Some libraries have millions of volumes in their collection and some have estimated this could require an additional $3.1 million in expenses for just a single library system. Others have projected at least six years for their staff to review the existing materials to ensure compliance and possibly closing off entire sections of the library to individuals under 18.
You may also reference the OLC's press release to help guide your message.
At this stage, we are no longer contacting members of the House or Senate.
This advocacy is directed solely to the Governor, who has consistently demonstrated his support for Ohio’s public libraries. Gov. DeWine did not put this language into the state budget bill. In fact, he tried to increase library funding.
Conference Committee
Ohio's state budget, House Bill (HB) 96 is now in a conference committee as lawmakers work to reconcile the different versions passed by the House and Senate. At this stage in the process, direct conversations between library leaders and members of the conference committee are key to achieving any positive outcomes. For this reason, OLC has asked library directors, fiscal officers, and trustees to reach out to members of the conference committee and Gov. DeWine directly as they make final decisions on HB 96.
OLC is urging the Conference Committee and Gov. DeWine to:
- Eliminate the $10.3 million deduction from the PLF for multiple state agencies/services. These entities should be funded directly from the GRF.
- Remove the provisions related to library materials. We feel parents know what is best for their children and consider this an unfunded mandate. Share how this will impact your library, and the potential costs related to this provision.
- Remove the provision allowing the County Budget Commission to undermine the will of local voters.
Budget Conference Committee:
- Sens. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo)
- Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland)
Ohio libraries will see a cut in state funding beginning July 1, 2025
On June 11, the Ohio Senate passed its version of the state budget, House Bill (HB) 96, despite OLC's testimony. As part of this proposal, Ohio’s public libraries are facing a nearly $25 million reduction in state funding, beginning July 1, 2025, at the start of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
The Public Library Fund (PLF) closed out FY25 at $504.6 million, but under the Senate’s plan, funding to libraries would drop to approximately $479.7 million in FY26. This decrease results from two key changes: a shift to a line-item appropriation for the PLF and additional annual transfers from the PLF to state agencies and statewide services.
Under HB 96, the PLF would be funded at $490 million in FY26 and $500 million in FY27. However, the Senate version includes annual transfers of $10.3 million (a total of $20.6 million over the biennium) to support the State Library of Ohio, the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), the Regional Library Systems, and the Ohioana Library Association.
These transfers would be deducted from the PLF before distributions are made to public libraries. So realistically, public libraries will see approximately $479.7 million in FY26 and $489.7 million in FY27.
The Ohio House did not agree with the changes made by the Senate, sending the legislation to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the two chambers. However, it appears unlikely that the conference committee will adopt the Governor’s proposal to fund public libraries at 1.75% of the General Revenue Fund (GRF).
We understand that the state budget process can be complex, so here’s an overview of the PLF and what the numbers mean for Ohio’s public libraries:
PLF
FY 2024 Actual Distribution to Libraries: $489,347,998
FY 2025 Actual Distribution to Libraries: $504,594,157
PLF Estimates in HB 96 (Governor’s Version):
FY 2026 – $531.7 million
FY 2027 – $549.1 million
PLF Line-items proposed in Sub. HB 96 (House Version):
FY 2026 – $490 million
FY 2027 – $500 million
PLF Line-items proposed in Sub. HB 96 (Senate Version):
FY 2026 – $490 million
FY 2027 – $500 million
Additional Reductions in Senate Version — Transfers from PLF to other statewide agencies/services:
FY 2026
- State Library of Ohio: $4,527,036
- Ohio Public Library Information Network: $3,689,788
- Library for the Blind: $1,274,194
- Regional Library Systems: $494,000
- Ohioana Library Association: $310,516
FY 2027
- State Library of Ohio: $4,527,474
- Ohio Public Library Information Network: $3,689,788
- Library for the Blind: $1,274,194
- Regional Library Systems: $494,000
- Ohioana Library Association: $310,516
When these transfers are deducted from the PLF, the actual amount available for distribution to public libraries drops to approximately $479.7 million in FY26—a reduction of nearly $25 million compared to FY25.
This significant funding cut is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will have real consequences for public libraries across the state. More details about the state budget process are available on the OLC website.
Thank you for making your voices heard earlier this spring
The Ohio Library Council extends its heartfelt thanks to the tens of thousands of Ohioans who took the time to contact their state representatives and share the powerful, personal stories of how public libraries have made a difference in their lives.
House budget still falls short of Governor DeWine’s funding proposal for libraries
On April 1, the Ohio House amended the state budget to include $490 million in library funding for FY 2026 and $500 million for FY 2027. While we appreciate the House's efforts to adjust the funding proposal, it’s important to recognize that this allocation still falls $90.8 million short of the funding level recommended by Governor DeWine over the biennium.
Please see the Appropriations Spreadsheet from the Legislative Service Commission.
Additionally, the Ohio House changed how library funding is allocated. Instead of receiving 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF)—as established in permanent law—the Public Library Fund (PLF) would become a line-item appropriation. This change could put future library funding at greater risk, as line-item appropriations are more vulnerable to elimination.
For more information, read OLC's press release.
Senate's budget mirrors House's proposal
On June 3, the Ohio Senate introduced its version of the state budget, continuing a significant shift in how public library funding is allocated. Rather than using a percentage of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF), the Senate’s substitute bill maintains funding for public libraries as a fixed line-item appropriation.
Senate's Line-Item Funding in Sub. HB 96
- FY 2026: $490 million
- FY 2027: $500 million
These figures mirror those proposed by the House and still fall short of the Governor’s budget proposal, which estimated Public Library Fund (PLF) totals of:
- FY 2026: $531.7 million
- FY 2027: $549.1 million
The Senate version also deducts $10.3 million annually from the PLF to fund statewide services such as: State Library of Ohio; Ohioana Library Association, Regional Library Systems, Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), and Library for the Blind.
This deduction occurs before PLF funds are distributed to local libraries.
The Senate's version also keeps House-proposed language on materials deemed harmful to juveniles and trustee board term structures.
In addition, new language added by the Senate allows county budget commissions to reduce tax collections and eliminates the option for replacement levies, which could further affect local library revenues.
At this time, we are not asking library patrons to take action. However, we have encouraged library directors, fiscal officers and trustees to reach out to members of the conference committee to discuss the budget package and its impact on libraries.
Thank you again for standing up for Ohio’s public libraries. Please check back for updates or visit olc.org/government-relations/state-budget.