State Budget (HB 96) Update
On June 30, Governor DeWine signed HB96 into law following a number of line-item vetos. We thank Governor DeWine for vetoing a harmful provision in the state budget that would have required libraries to segregate materials.
“We applaud Governor DeWine and fully support his decision,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the OLC. “In Ohio, we already have strong laws in place regarding obscenity and materials harmful to juveniles,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the OLC.
The OLC also thanks the thousands of Ohioans who voiced their support for public libraries and contacted the Governor’s Office. Their action helped protect the vital role libraries play in every community.
Ohio’s public libraries have long-established collection development policies that ensure materials reflect the needs of their local communities (you can even make suggestions for our collections by clicking here!). These policies include processes for public input, parental controls, and age-appropriate library card options — all designed to support families and ensure responsible access to materials.
“Ohio’s public libraries already have policies in place to protect children,” Francis added. “No one cares more about the safety, education, and well-being of children than libraries. For generations, libraries have provided trusted, welcoming spaces, and we will continue to do so with professionalism and integrity.”
The OLC stands firmly behind Ohio’s existing laws and the proven local practices that make public libraries one of the most valued and respected institutions in the state.
How your public library is funded
As taxpayers and supporters of the Cardington-Lincoln Public Library (CLPL), we want to ensure that the residents of our community are informed about recent changes to the State Budget of Ohio. The new state biennium budget bill, HB 96, reduces actual state funding for public libraries from $504.59 million in FY25 to $479.7 million in FY26 and $489.7 million FY27. After transfers are made to the State Library of Ohio, the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), the Regional Library Systems, and the Ohioana Library Foundation, Ohio’s public libraries will be cut by almost $25 million on July 1, 2025.
Here are some facts about how CLPL is funded:
- About 2/3 ($300,000) of CLPL’s total annual operational budget ($474,600 for materials, staff, building maintenance, & programs) is funded by the Public Library Fund (PLF).
- The other 1/3 ($158,000) comes from a 5-year, 1-mill property tax levy that was successfully passed by residents who live in the Cardington-Lincoln School District. This levy is in effect until the end of 2028.
- The PLF is reauthorized every two years in the state budget. It's important to note that state funding has never been 'guaranteed' for Ohio's public libraries. Every two years, we must make our case for state funding.
- Previously, the PLF received 1.7% of the Ohio General Revenue Fund. Now, it will receive a set appropriated amount of $479.7 million in FY26 and $489.7 million FY27. This is less than 0.5% of the total state budget.
- The PLF is shared amongst all 251 public library systems in the state. 48 of the 251 public library systems in Ohio solely rely on the PLF for operational funding. 2 of the 4 libraries in Morrow County rely solely on funding from the PLF.
- The state has supported public libraries with funding to deliver services at the local level for almost a century.