1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I'm writing with frustration and anger about the recent amendment to eliminate the Public Library Fund and replace it with a line-item appropriation that would cut $100 million from library funding compared to Governor DeWine's budget. As your constituent and a lifelong library user, I urge you to restore the Public Library Fund to the level designated in the Governor's proposed budget immediately. Libraries aren't just buildings with books—they're the heart of our communities. As a child, the library was my home away from home. I remember my mom instituting a rule that we could only check out what we could carry because we'd bring home so many books. That simple childhood joy of discovering new worlds through reading is something every Ohio child deserves. And my experience is one countless children share. For others it is the only such place in their lives. Today, I continue to benefit from library services as an adult. The Carnegie Author Series events have been incredible cultural experiences that enrich our community. I've also given back by serving as a reading buddy, helping children develop literacy skills. And I've been looking forward to utilizing the kindergarten readiness programs with my own children when they’re old enough—programs that may disappear with these devastating cuts. The proposed funding reduction would take Ohio's libraries back to funding levels from 2000—with no adjustment for inflation, despite 25 years of rising costs and expanded services. Our libraries have evolved to meet modern needs while operating on increasingly strained budgets. The family and children's programming at my local branch has been a lifeline for many in our community, yet these are precisely the kinds of services that will be cut as branches are forced to do more with less, especially where personnel are concerned. Libraries are uniquely democratic institutions that serve everyone in our community regardless of age, income, or background. They provide essential resources for job seekers, students without home internet, seniors learning digital literacy, and children developing crucial reading skills. These are not luxuries we can afford to cut, especially as we reckon with the increasing presence of AI—they are investments in Ohio's future. I understand the complex challenges of budgeting, but gutting library funding is shortsighted and will ultimately cost our communities far more than it saves. The Public Library Fund isn't just a line item—it's a commitment to education, equal opportunity, and community well-being. Please stand up for Ohio's libraries by rejecting this amendment and supporting the Governor's proposed funding level for the Public Library Fund. Our communities and future generations are counting on your leadership.