Ohio public libraries are facing a significant reduction in state funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 due to changes in the most recent state budget bill (HB 96), which was signed into law by Governor DeWine in July 2025.
The funding mechanism for the Public Library Fund (PLF) has been shifted from a guaranteed 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF) to a fixed line-item appropriation. This change makes library funding more vulnerable to future budget cuts and eliminates the previous, more stable, percentage-based system.
The amount available for public libraries in fiscal year 2026 has dropped to approximately $479 million, a more than $25 million reduction compared to the $504 million received in fiscal year 2025. The allocation for fiscal year 2027 is set at $489 million after transfers. The new appropriation includes an annual transfer of over $10 million from the PLF to support other library-related state entities like the State Library of Ohio and the Ohio Public Library Information Network who previously received their own line-item appropriations. These transfers are made before funds are distributed to local public libraries, further reducing the net amount available to local systems. Locally, Portage County has seen a decrease of nearly $600 thousand and Reed Memorial Library a decrease of $200 thousand in the current fiscal year.
Libraries across the state are being forced to adjust their budgets and make difficult funding decisions. Reed Memorial Library receives 49% of its annual operating budget from the state and has responded to the cuts by renegotiating contracted and subscription services and leaving vacant positions unfilled in the current budget cycle ending December 31, 2025. Additional cuts may be needed in the future as we strive to maintain our current level of programming and other library services.
Because of declining or unstable state funding, state legislators have effectively shifted more financial responsibility to local communities and voters. However, proposed changes to local levies are expected to have a significant negative impact on public libraries, too. Reed Memorial Library relies on a five-year renewable operating levy that accounts for another 43% of its annual budget.
A bill currently in the Ohio House (HB 137, as of November 2025) would allow county or local taxing authorities to reject a library’s request to place an operating levy on the ballot. Previously, libraries had more autonomy in this process. This change means local elected officials could prevent voters from deciding on library funding issues, regardless of community support.
Ohio House Bills 309 and 335 (HB309/HB335) would grant full authority to the County Budget Commission to suspend, reduce, and question need for all property tax revenue including inside millage, outside voted levies, emergency levies, bond levies, etc. Ohio is a local control state. The changes being proposed disenfranchise and undermine the rights of local voters in their own community. Furthermore, the County, nor any local taxing authority, does not fund public libraries.
Ohio public libraries have only two major sources of revenue – state funding and local property tax levies. Any changes to this structure of funding will have a significant impact on the services that Reed Memorial Library provides. Further declines in funding, could jeopardize vital services that our community relies on, although; we are doing everything in our power to make sure that does not happen.
Reed Memorial Library is committed to the residents of the City of Ravenna, Ravenna Township, and the greater Portage County area. We will continue to update you on the progress of state and local funding changes and initiatives.
To show your support for Ohio’s public libraries, please reach out to your local state representatives and let them know what your library means to you and the community. You can also support us by joining and/or contributing to the Reed Memorial Foundation or the Friends of Reed Memorial Library.
School readiness and early childhood literacy is a fundamental component of our programs and a core service to families. Through programs with preschools and the Ravenna school system, the library supports literacy, provides technology tools and programs, and is an invaluable partner in learning.
We provide free high-speed internet access, public computers, training and software classes and tutorials for both educational and job training needs. We partner with community organizations to help with the opioid crisis with programs and awareness campaigns. During economic hardship, our citizens turn to and depend on the library.
The library also provides many options for people who are looking for work, trying to train for a new career or want to remain relevant in the career they already have. Our community's economy benefits when small business owners can use library resources to make wise business decisions, do printing, scanning, and faxing to support their business. We make our meeting rooms and technology tools available to community groups and small businesses to use for training, workshops, events and more.
Even at its most basic service, lending materials, the library gives you much more than you invest. Here are typical costs for comparison:
