CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library is calling on residents to take action as Ohio lawmakers consider a proposal that could strip $100 million from public library funding over the next two years.
The Ohio House of Representatives’ proposed state budget seeks to eliminate the Public Library Fund (PLF), a long-standing financial pillar that provides the majority of funding for public libraries across the state. If approved, this change would remove legal protections for library funding, making it a discretionary part of the state budget and leaving it vulnerable to future cuts.
Here in Ross County, 54% of the library’s operating budget comes from the Public Library Fund, with an additional 38% supported by local tax levies and 8% from grants, investments, and donations.
Executive Director James Hill warns that these cuts could have a devastating impact on local libraries, stating:
“The elimination of the Public Library Fund will result in significant cuts to the services you value most. This means less public programming, fewer digital and print materials, and reduced access to essential services that only libraries provide to our community for free.”
Libraries across Ohio serve as more than just book repositories. They are vital community hubs that offer free access to information, literacy programs, educational resources, and public services. In 2024, Ohio voters overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for libraries, passing 26 out of 28 library levies statewide.
With a critical vote scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library is urging community members to contact their state representatives and voice their opposition to the proposed cuts.
For more information on how to take action, visit www.crcpl.org/speakout.
