Librarians uphappy about proposed budget

SANDUSKY — Public libraries in Sandusky and Norwalk have joined other libraries across the state asking patrons to protest the state budget that's been proposed by leaders of the Ohio House. According to the Ohio Library Council, libraries are upset about two provisions of the budget. One is to eliminate the Public Library Fund, which dedicates a percentage of state general revenues to libraries. What's happening? Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine had proposed raising the fund from 1.7% of general fund revenues to 1.75%. Instead, lawmakers are proposing a line item budget appropriation. Librarians object that this does not guarantee funding beyond the current budget. Ohio House Republicans have argued that the new system allows the public to see how much money is spent on state libraries. "I don't think Ohioans really know how much we spend on libraries," said state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Circleville, the chairman of the House Finance Committee. "This just provides some transparency." Second, library officials say the appropriated amount for the new two-year budget, which starts July 1, is too small. The original House Republican proposal would provide libraries about $980 million over two years, about $100 million less than the estimated $1.08 billion the governor's proposal would provide. In addition, it's estimated that libraries will get $530 million in the current fiscal year from the library fund. So the House's original proposed appropriations of $485 million for the next fiscal year and $495 million for the second year are substantial cuts, the Ohio Library Council says. Changes made On Tuesday, in response to days of protests from library supporters, the House Finance Committee increased the amount a bit, to $490 million next year and $500 million in fiscal year 2027. That still falls about $90 million short of DeWine's proposal, and the Ohio Library Council will continue talking to lawmakers, including members of the Ohio Senate, said Michelle Francis, executive director of the Ohio Library Council. Sandusky Library, like many other libraries across Ohio, has a banner on its home page, asking patrons to contact their local lawmakers. Molly Carver, executive director of Sandusky Library, gave the Register a statement. "Ohio libraries need the Public Library Fund restored to 1.75%. The Ohio House budget proposal would eliminate the (fund). The (fund) is created from Ohioans' tax dollars that are returned to them in the form of library services in their local communities." "Any proposal to fund libraries as a line item in the budget, as proposed by the House, is no guarantee of future library funding. Sandusky Library depends on state funding for nearly half its revenue." "Public library service in Ohio today is a result of the State funding partnership that has existed for nearly a century. Right now, what libraries need more than anything is everyone to call or email their local House Representative and House Speaker Matt Huffman and share their story of why the library matters to them and ask them to restore the PLF." Norwalk Public Library also has weighed in with a statement asking for help. Miranda Emery, assistant director of Norwalk Public Library, wrote in an email that the proposed House budget for libraries would be "catastrophic" and said it's time for local residents to contact state lawmakers. If the situation doesn't change, Norwalk's library would have to consider cutting programs such as after school snacks, outreach to local nursing homes, Kids in the Kitchen and Story Time, Emery said. State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, said it's still early in the budget process and that there's time for changes to be made. "I've always seen a lot of back and forth in every budget as to what's fair. By the time the budget goes through the whole process including the House, Senate, conference committee, and is on the governor's desk, it usually comes out in a manner that a lot of people agree on," Swearingen said Monday.