Recent media coverage:
Ask Ohio senators a legit question and it might come back to bite you | Opinion
Columbus Dispatch
The budget circus - when Ohio politicians put their interests ahead of the citizens’: Thomas Suddes
cleveland.com
Funding stream Ohio libraries opposed included in Senate budget proposal
Ohio Capital Journal
Conference Committee
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 the state operating budget for FY26-27 (HB 96). Unfortunately, there were no changes to the provisions impacting public libraries despite OLC's testimony.
The Ohio House did not concur with the changes made by the Senate, so now the legislation goes to a conference committee to reconcile the differences.
We want to be clear that Ohio libraries will see a cut in state funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 beginning July 1. The Public Library Fund (PLF) closed FY25 at $504.6 million, but under the Senate’s plan, library funding would drop to $479.7 million on July 1 due to the line-item appropriation and additional transfers to state agencies and other statewide services. It is unlikely the conference committee will agree with the governor’s proposal to fund libraries at 1.75% of the General Revenue Fund.
HB 96 changes the PLF to a line-item appropriation and funds the PLF at $490 million in FY26 and $500 million in FY27.
However, the Senate version deducts an additional $10.3 million annually ($20.6 million over the biennium) from the PLF to fund the following state agencies and statewide services: the State Library of Ohio, the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), the Regional Library Systems, and the Ohioana Library Association.
This means that $10.3 million will be deducted from the PLF each year of the biennium before PLF funds are distributed to libraries.
So realistically, public libraries will see approximately $479.7 million in FY26 and $489.7 million in FY27.
We know the state budget can be complicated. Here's an overview:
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
This means state funding for public libraries will be reduced to $479.7 million on July 1 for FY26 – resulting in almost a $25 million cut in state funding in comparison to FY25.
There is still time to make our case to the conference committee, which is composed of leadership from the Senate and House.
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, we have asked library directors, fiscal officers, and trustees to reach out to members of the conference committee directly.
Specifically, OLC is asking the conference committee to:
- Eliminate the $10.3 million deduction from the PLF for multiple state agencies. 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.
- Remove the provision allowing the County Budget Commission to undermine the will of local voters.
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.