Support our libraries

We support the state library association's opposition to lawmakers tinkering with the funding formula for libraries. Melissa Harrington, youth services director at the Huron Public Library, has story time with her goodbye friends and says, "Give a hug, ladybug," on Friday, March 20, 2020. Register photo/ERIN CALDWELL Think for a minute about the institutions of government that serve you and your family, that serve all families. Libraries across the country are successful in making knowledge available to everyone, and in Ohio libraries are particularly successful. In our area, the libraries are extraordinary and the patrons — you, me and us — know it all to well. In Sandusky as in most communities, libraries trace back to founders' day: There was always a group looking to share books and magazines, to share ideas. Our libraries are closely associated to who we are as communities, and they guide us as to where we're going, what we want to become and how we can be better to each other and for each other. In the last 25 years, libraries also have transitioned well into the digital age, sharing digital media, videos, movies, podcasts, books on tape, sharing those huge resources wit everyone. Ohio libraries are better funded than the libraries in other states because they don't have to just rely on local funding but get substantial funding from Ohio's state government. During recent state budget deliberations, they often find themselves battling to maintain that position. The current budget approved by the Ohio House proposes to cut the Public Library Fund. Currently, the fund gets 1.7% of the state's general revenue fund. The House budget bill, House Bill 110, cuts that to 1.66%. Lawmakers are working on a new two-year state budget that will go into effect on July 1. The budget is now in the Senate's hands. Molly Carver, Sandusky's library's executive director, submitted testimony Wednesday to the Senate Finance Committee and asked senators to restore funding to the current 1.7%.Tracy Strobel, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, said the cut in the Public Library Fund may not sound like much, but it would slash library revenues by $22 million statewide. Libraries are indeed our peoples university. Just the same as the library association, library leaders and patrons everywhere, we don't want lawmakers messing with the great successes that are Ohio libraries.