On March 18, representatives from The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, and leaders from libraries across the Lake to River region met with area state legislative office in Columbus. They were joined by library leaders and supporters from across Ohio as part of the Ohio Library Council’s Legislative Day. As a group they advocated for library funding and shared the results of a recent public opinion poll showing overwhelming support for libraries across Ohio. (https://members.olc.org/news/Details/new-research-shows-ohioans-strongly-value-local-library-services-and-support-local-funding-that-keeps-them-strong-315127, opens a new window). Area library leaders shared the polling results with the public in late February. (https://www.libraryvisit.org/news/new-research-shows-ohioans-continue-to-value-local-library-services-and-support-local-funding-that-keeps-them-strong/, opens a new window)
“Public libraries are an essential resource for Ohioans of all ages,” said Aimee Fifarek, Director & CEO for The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. “The latest Ohio Library Council poll shows that across the state 92% of Ohioans say public libraries are important to their local community, and rank among the highest rated local services. This confirms what we consistently see here at home. Ohio residents value their libraries and rely on them for learning, job support, reliable internet access, and everyday needs. State funding through the Public Library Fund (PLF) remains critical to sustaining these services.”
According to the Ohio Library Council, for every dollar invested in libraries across the state, four dollars in value is generated. This is a 4-to-1 return on state and community investment in the critical programs and services libraries provide. Ohioans have noticed this return on their investment. The OLC poll also shows that 87% of Ohioans say that they get their money’s worth from library services for the taxes they pay.
In the most recent state budget, lawmakers changed the PLF from a percentage of the state’s General Revenue Fund to a fixed line-item appropriation. As a result, Ohio’s public libraries are receiving $25 million less in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 than they did in FY 2025, creating additional challenges for libraries working to meet growing community needs.
“We met with our area legislative offices to make sure they understood that fully funding libraries is an economic difference maker in the Valley and the state of Ohio,” said Kim Garrett, Executive Director of Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. “We also wanted them to understand that according to the recent polling, 9 out of 10 Ohioans stand with us and support their local libraries.” added Garrett.
With more than 7.4 million registered borrowers, Ohio’s public libraries have the second-highest usage rate in the nation. More than two-thirds of Ohioans say that they can recall a specific time when their library helped them personally. This success reflects the strong partnership between the State of Ohio, local communities, and local library systems.
To discover all that libraries can offer area families, visit libraryvisit.org and https://wtcpl.org/.
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The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) has served the Mahoning Valley since 1880 when the Youngstown Library Association was officially created. With 14 branches across Mahoning County, including Main Library in downtown Youngstown, PLYMC is well known for its signature services and programs like Summer Discovery and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. PLYMC serves our communities by preparing children for kindergarten, promoting early literacy, assisting job seekers, connecting Valley residents to technology, and providing resources for small businesses.