Save our Library Funding
Libraries are amazing! They offer career resources, tech learning, community programs, and a welcoming space for everyone. This past year, the state legislature proposed cutting their budget by $100 million. Thanks to public pushback, that cut was reduced to $25 million. Libraries need your voice, especially during the state budget cycle.
Why does it matter?
State legislative proposals have targeted Ohio public library funding. In 2026, our libraries sustained a $25 million budget cut. That's an improvement from where things started during the state budgeting process. The original House budget proposal would have cut closer to $100 million, but sustained pushback from librarians, patrons, and advocates helped reduced the number before the final budget passed. It's proof that showing up during the budget cycle works, even when it doesn't fix everything. These funding challenges are expected to continue with the current makeup of our state legislative bodies. Our libraries are amazing places that offer career resources, community engagement, tech learning opportunities and a place where all are welcome! Funding cuts could endanger their many amazing programs.
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Who supports Ohio’s libraries?
The Ohio Library Council and local city libraries are working together to educate and create action to save library funding. If you believe in the resources and services the library provides, stay connected. This is especially important throughout the state's budgeting cycle, to ensure our libraries are properly funded. Advocacy saved libraries $75 million this year and those same advocates can do it again.
Visit the Ohio Library Council website and bookmark the page for the latest funding updates.
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How can libraries help with access to local and national newspapers?
Have you clicked on links within this website and not been able to access a New York Times article or other firewalled periodical? Your library can help with this! Here are the steps to do this through the Cincinnati library, but check out your local libraries website for more information:
Step 1: Get a CHPL library card (if you don't have one)
A library card is free if you're a resident of the State of Ohio, a property owner in Hamilton County, a temporary/transitional resident of Hamilton County, or a resident of Boone, Campbell, or Kenton counties in Kentucky. You can sign up online at chpl.org or in person at any of the 41 branches of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Step 2: Get set up for the New York Times
CHPL provides NYT access through a "Group Pass" — library cardholders can enjoy free and unlimited access to news stories, multimedia content, and special features on the New York Times website and apps, though access is free but first-time users will need to create an account with the New York Times.
Step 3: Once you already have a NYT account created through the library:
Go to the library's NYT Group Pass link
Click "Log In to Continue"
Enter your email and NYT password
This grants you 24 hours of unlimited access — you'll need to re-authenticate through the library's link every 24 hours to keep it active (the account itself doesn't expire, but the pass session does).
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Are local libraries helping with advocacy?
Yes! Your local library is likely trying to build support and create advocates for local libraries. Visit your local library website or choose one of these city library homepages.