Ohioans love their libraries. With more than 7.7 million registered borrowers, Ohio’s public libraries are a resource that Ohioans increasingly turn to for a wide variety of services. Our public libraries are extremely popular and have the highest use per capita in the nation. We continue to rank at the top nationally for the highest percentage of registered borrowers, highest number of visits, and highest circulation. Our success is dependent on the strong partnership between the state and the local library systems.

In Ohio, public libraries are funded through the Public Library Fund (PLF). Each month, the PLF receives a percentage of the state’s tax receipts that go into the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). We are asking the Ohio General Assembly to support the PLF at least at the current level of 1.70% of the GRF, because we know that strong libraries make our communities stronger. Ohio’s public libraries continuously evolve to provide the information, programs and services for residents of all ages.