Tell the Ohio House: Don't Cut My Library!​

April 3, 2025

This is not our usual message, but we urgently need your help. The Portage County District Library is facing an unprecedented challenge in the Ohio House of Representatives, and the future of our library is at stake. 
On April 1, the Ohio House introduced its version of the biennial budget, which funds all state operations for the next two years. This budget includes the Public Library Fund (PLF), which provides 41.5% of our library’s funding—the rest comes from local levies, fees, and donations. 

• The Ohio House of Representatives’ biennium budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund, a mechanism that has funded 251 public library systems for four decades.
• Ohio House Members plan to replace the Public Library Fund with a lump dollar amount for all Ohio libraries, which will result in cuts to libraries across the state.
• The Public Library Fund has remained flat for 25 years and House Members have put forward a dollar amount that does not account for a quarter of a century of inflation.
• The budget also includes language that would dictate where public libraries can shelve certain items.

What does this mean for you? 

A reduction in the Public Library Fund threatens programs, materials, and services at Portage County District Library. Your tax dollars should return to your community to support the library you love and rely on. 

What can you do?
Tell your legislators: “DON’T CUT MY LIBRARY!” 
Contact your State House Members and Speaker Huffman today. Legislators will make their final recommendations on HB 96 early next week, so your voice is needed NOW. Let them know what Portage County District Library means to you and your family, and how funding cuts would hurt our community. 
Your voice can make a difference. Speak up today!

Ohio State Representative Contact Information
Ohio House of Representatives Website: www.ohiohouse.gov

Matt Huffman 
State Representative, 78th District Speaker of the House of Representatives 
Riffe Center – 14th Floor 
77 S. High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111 
Phone: (614) 466-6344 
Fax: (614) 719-3977 
email: rep78@ohiohouse.gov
https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/matt-huffman

Heidi Workman
State Representative, 72nd District
Riffe Center – 11th Floor 
77 S. High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 
Phone: (614) 466-2004
Fax: (614) 719-3968
Email: rep72@ohiohouse.gov
Website: https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/heidi-workman

Steve Demetriou
State Representative, 35th District
Riffe Center - 12th Floor
77 S. High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 
Phone: (614) 644-5088
Fax: (614) 719-6998
Email: rep35@ohiohouse.gov
Website: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/steve-demetriou

A message from our Library Director: