Dear Editor:
Ohioans love their libraries, and it’s easy to see why. Ohio’s public library system, considered one of the best in the country, provides not only free information and access to technology for entire communities but also educational, cultural, and hands-on experiences for its patrons across all age levels.
In fact, during May the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County offered local history talks, films and movies, book discussions, a springtime gardening Q & A, and more. In addition, registration for its popular summer reading programs has begun.
How is this possible? It’s due to both the efforts of committed library staff and the method by which libraries have been funded in Ohio. Since the late 1980s, the Public Library Fund (PLF) has been set at 1.7% of state revenue which has provided a steady source of funding for our libraries.
Unfortunately, the Ohio House has passed a budget bill (HB 96) that eliminates the 1.7% funding and converts it to a “line item” that makes it variable, thus potentially destabilizing library budgets.
As a former school librarian, I witnessed firsthand the benefits of a solid, well-designed library program for our children. Our public libraries build upon this foundation. With the amount of mis- and disinformation we encounter daily, we need our libraries now more than ever.
The Ohio Senate will vote on the budget bill soon. Please contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee—Jerry Cirino, chair; Brian Chavez, vice chair; Paula Hicks-Hudson, ranking member—and your state senator (find their contact information at ohiosenate.gov) and tell them: restore public library funding to at least 1.7%. Be sure to share your personal story of why you support public libraries.
Mark Tuel
Mount Vernon, Ohio