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). Governor DeWine’s budget proposal includes a commitment to Ohio’s public libraries by funding the Public Library Fund (PLF) at 1.7% in FY 24 and FY 25 in permanent law.

On June 15, the Ohio Senate passed their version of the budget which keeps the PLF percentage at 1.70% in permanent law. The budget cleared both chambers of the state legislature on June 30, hours before the legal deadline. Governor DeWine signed the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 state operating budget into law overnight Monday (July 3), but vetoed 44 items in the plan.

We are happy to report that the Public Library Fund (PLF) is set at 1.70% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF) in permanent law. READ MORE