Libraries in Ohio are funded both at the local and state level. A substantial number of libraries in Ohio receive little or no local funding and subsist only on state funding. The state funding for libraries comes through the Public Library Fund (PLF) which is funded by statute at 2.2% of the state budgets.

Governor Ted Strickland proposed his budget for 2010 and 2011. In his budget, he called for the reduction of library funding by approximately 30%. This amount is in addition to a projected loss of 19% from the PLF due to declining tax receipts. As you can see here in this impact of the proposed cuts spreadsheet provided by the Ohio Library Council, many libraries in Ohio will experience a total funding loss over the two year budget of 50%, while almost all of the libraries experience at least a 50% reduction in state contribution.

These cuts will shutter libraries across the state, result in job losses, will stunt material rotation, and will deny the tax-paying citizen of Ohio the services of their local libraries.

We’re here today to tell Governor Strickland that we’re not going to stand for his irresponsible and reckless cut of library funding.