To our valued patrons and supporters,
We don’t often reach out like this, but today, we need your help. On April 1st, the Ohio House of Representatives proposed a state budget that eliminates the Public Library Fund—the primary source of funding for public libraries across Ohio. This change would strip away the legal protections that have ensured library funding for nearly a century, replacing it with a lumpsum amount that could easily be reduced or even eliminated in the future.
If this proposal passes, Ohio’s public libraries will lose $100 million in funding over the next two years—with no guarantee of funding after 2027. This comes at a time when libraries have already seen a $27 million shortfall in 2024, and our funding remains at the same level as the year 2000, despite rising costs and growing community needs. Please tell the Ohio House: Don’t Cut Ohio Libraries! We will have a drop box and letter writing table available at our Main branch- all responses dropped off before 4pm on Monday, April 7, 2025 will be hand-delivered on April 8, 2025.
What This Means for You:
All 4 branches of the Birchard Public Library (Fremont, Gibsonburg, Green Springs, and Woodville) provide invaluable services to our community. Here in Sandusky County, the Public Library Fund makes 48% of all BPL operations possible (the remaining 52% is from local property taxes passed by voters like you), including:
- FREE Programs & Events for All Ages
- Early Education Programs
- Homebound & Outreach Services throughout the county
- Wi-fi, hotspots, fax machine, computer, and printer access
- Without stable funding, all of these offerings—and so much more—are at risk.
How You Can Help:
We need your voice! Please contact your state representative Gary Click & Speaker Matt Huffman today and urge them to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in the Governor’s proposed budget. Share why the library matters to you and how these cuts would impact your family and community. Libraries are the heart of our communities, providing free access to knowledge, connection, and opportunity. Please stand with us to protect this vital resource. Tell the Ohio House: Don’t Cut Ohio Libraries!
Gary Click (District 88)- House
77 South High Street, 11th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1374
Fax: (614) 719-6981
Email: rep88@ohiohouse.gov
Direct contact link: https://bit.ly/42hfBR6
House Speaker Matt Huffman (District 78)- House
77 South High Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-6344
Fax: (614) 719-3977
Email: rep78@ohiohouse.gov
Direct contact link: https://bit.ly/42sxyx4