Updated 7/01/25:
We want to express our sincere gratitude to YOU, our local community members and valued patrons, for supporting us through this year’s Ohio budget journey. We also want to thank Governor DeWine for supporting Ohio’s Libraries throughout this state budget process and First Lady DeWine for her love of reading, teaching and outreach. Together, YOU have made it possible for Stark Library to continue providing essential programs, services, and access to materials that benefit our community. THANK YOU!
Updated 6/26/25:
We wanted to give you a final update on the state budget and ask for YOUR help as the budget process nears its end. Many of you have asked what can you do to help, and this is the time to advocate for Ohio’s public libraries.
Budget and PLF Status
The budget bill was voted on by the House and Senate, and it’s now moved on to Governor DeWine for signing on Monday, June 30. Prior to signing, the governor will have the opportunity for line-item vetoes.
The budget includes a $25 million reduction in funding to the Public Library Fund (PLF), dropping total state support from $504.6 million in FY25 to $479.7 million in FY26. This decrease is the result of a shift to a fixed line-item appropriation and the addition of $10.3 million in annual transfers to support state agencies and other organizations, money that will be diverted directly from local public libraries.
Library Materials Display Provision and Line-Item Veto
The Ohio Library Council (OLC) will be submitting a request that the Governor line-item veto the provision in HB 96 (ORC Section 3375.47), which would require public libraries to segregate materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, guaranteeing they are not visible to anyone under 18. To show support for this request, OLC is encouraging individuals to contact Governor DeWine specifically regarding this provision.
Why is the provision problematic?
- It threatens free and open access to information for our community, a cornerstone of public libraries.
- Libraries do not act “in loco parentis,” meaning we do not act in the place of parents or guardians. Parents and guardians play an important role in what their children are reading.
- It raises significant legal questions about censorship and intellectual freedom.
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- Public libraries do already have policies in place to address this issue. At Stark Library, we have a collection development policy, parental controls, and library cards specifically for children, which require a parent’s signature.
- It will be expensive to implement.
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- Implementing this language would be extremely costly and difficult to manage. Some libraries have millions of volumes in their collection, and some have estimated this could require an additional $3.1 million in expenses for just a single library system. This unfunded mandate takes away from our ability to focus on the community-facing services we are here to provide, and it would necessitate redirecting resources away from programs, services, and materials in order to comply.
- The language of this provision is vague and broad.
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- The bill language, to “place material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in a portion of the public library that is not primarily open to the view of persons under the age of eighteen” is overly broad, vague and unworkable.
How can you help?
Contact Governor DeWine’s office by Saturday, June 28, as he will be signing the budget on June 30.
Respectfully urge Governor DeWine to veto this provision related to library materials. We feel parents know what is best for their children and consider this an unfunded mandate. Tell Governor DeWine why you LOVE Stark Library!
CONTACT INFO:
Governor Mike DeWine
Main Line: (614) 466-3555
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357
https://governor.ohio.gov/contact
Mailing Address:
Governor Mike DeWine
77 S. High Street – 30th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Thank you for your support of Stark Library and all Ohio Public Libraries!
Updated 4/14/25:
Last Tuesday, April 8, was “Library Legislative Day” in Columbus, Ohio, and Stark Library’s Executive Director and CEO, Mary Ellen Icaza, along with Director of Branch Services, Jennifer Stencel, were in attendance. They met with legislators from the House to advocate for continued funding for all of Ohio’s libraries. The timing of Library Legislative Day was very significant given the proposed changes to the Public Library Fund, or PLF for short.
We want to thank each and every one of you who showed your #LibraryLove for Stark Library and contacted your legislators –
thousands of messages were received! Your voices were heard, and progress was made as the Ohio House adjusted their budget bill.
The House Finance Committee amended their proposed budget to an allocation of $490 million in library funds for the 2026 fiscal year and to $500 million for the 2027 fiscal year. We appreciate the House’s efforts to adjust their proposed funding; however, the current version of this bill still falls $90.8 million short of Governor DeWine’s recommended funding of 1.75% of the State’s budget.
Stay tuned for more updates as the budget moves through the Ohio State Senate.
Updated 4/04/25:
Did you know the Public Library Fund, or PLF for short, provides vital funding for all public libraries in Ohio? It does! With the PLF, libraries are able to offer storytimes, summer learning programs, give computer access, offer technology classes, provide workforce services, along with books and other materials that benefit everyone across our great state. We proudly serve our patrons every day and want to be able to KEEP PROVIDING you with the resources, programs, and services you have come to know and love. Right now, the PLF is at risk of being defunded but you can HELP US advocate for its restoration to what Governor DeWine initially proposed.
HOW CAN I HELP?
1. Contact Speaker of the House Matt Huffman TODAY and let him know why funding for Libraries is so close to your heart.
2. Contact your local legislators and share with them why you LOVE Stark Library.
Find the Ohio House Members Directory HERE
We are so very grateful for the community we serve and the support YOU show for all of our Libraries!