Library leaders see some success in library funding, note future challenges
According to a news release, library leaders from the Lake to River Counties gathered in Columbus, coming back with some success but noting more challenges that lie ahead with library funding.
Fifteen library leaders from Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties joined a group of 350 total library leaders that went to the Statehouse in Columbus on April 8 as part of the Ohio Library Council's annual Legislative Day.
The goal was for library leaders to give voice to the tens of thousands of library supporters who reached out to their elected officials to fight cuts to library funding according to the release.
The release states that in response to community pressure, the House Leadership did reduce cuts to library funding.
"In the House Budget just passed, PLYMC funding cuts were reduced from $1.35 million to around $90,000," said Aimee Fifarek, Director and CEO of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Fifarek added, according to the release," I want to thank the tireless efforts of local supports and patrons who reached out to their elected officials to help reduce these disastrous cuts to our funding."
Although cuts to library funding was reduced, the release also states that the House Leadership chose to end dedicated funding to the Public Library Fund (PLF) as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund (GRF).
"While we are pleased to see planned funding cuts reduced in the House Budget, the real threat long term is changing how we fund the PLF," said Jim Wilkins, Director/Fiscal Officer of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.
Wilkins continued, according to the release," Rather than as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund, in the House Budget libraries across the state will be funded through a line-item appropriation subject to the whims of distant legislators in Columbus and not by those who actually use and need our services here at home."
The release states that library leaders are calling on statewide elected officials to not only restore dedicated funding, but the expand the PLF from 1.7% of the GRF to 1.75% as in the original budget proposed by Governor Mike DeWine.
The funding bill now heads to the Senate where deliberations will begin.
