<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">I am sending this because it looks like part of the money. The public library may be losing will be $10 million which will be shared among several programs, including the Cleveland library for the blind. I love my Hamilton County library, but I have been using Talking Books since I was probably about six or seven years old and I don\u2019t want to see any funding cuts to that program.<br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library <noreply@chpl.org><br><b>Date:</b> June 6, 2025 at 9:57:27\u202fPM EDT<br><b>To:</b> Marianne Denning <marianne@denningweb.com><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Library Funding Update: June 6</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> noreply@chpl.org<br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff <title>Library Funding Update: June 6</title> <!--[if !mso]><!--> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <!--<![endif]--> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <!--[if mso]> <noscript> <xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml> </noscript> <![endif]--> <!--[if lte mso 11]> <style type="text/css"> .mj-outlook-group-fix { width:100% !important; } </style> <![endif]--> <style media="screen and (min-width:480px)">.moz-text-html .mj-column-per-100 { max-width: 100%; width: 100% !important; }
.moz-text-html .mj-column-per-50 { max-width: 50%; width: 50% !important; }</style> <div style="background-color:;"> <!--[if mso | IE]><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" role="presentation" style="width:600px;" width="600" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" ><tr><td style="line-height:0px;font-size:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"><![endif]--> <div style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;margin:0px auto;max-width:600px;"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;width:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="direction:ltr;font-size:0px;padding:20px 0px 20px 0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:10px;text-align:center;"> <!--[if mso | IE]><table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td class="" style="vertical-align:top;width:600px;" ><![endif]--> <div class="mj-column-per-100 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="font-size:0px;text-align:left;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:010px;word-break:break-word;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:565px;"> <img alt="State Support for Public Libraries is Essential" src="https://atmt-chcoh-230212235704.cdn-wmk.com/media/images/NewsletterImages/2025/04/blog-state-support-libraries-essential.jpg" style="border:0;display:block;outline:none;text-decoration:none;height:auto;width:100%;font-size:13px;" width="565" height="auto" data-unique-identifier=""> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" role="presentation" style="width:600px;" width="600" bgcolor="#ffffff" ><tr><td style="line-height:0px;font-size:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"><![endif]--> <div style="background:#ffffff;background-color:#ffffff;margin:0px auto;max-width:600px;"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background:#ffffff;background-color:#ffffff;width:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="direction:ltr;font-size:0px;padding:20px 0px 20px 0px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:02px;text-align:center;"> <!--[if mso | IE]><table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td class="" style="vertical-align:top;width:600px;" ><![endif]--> <div class="mj-column-per-100 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="font-size:0px;text-align:left;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.3;text-align:left;color:#0c2340;"><div>I'd like to update you on the latest developments regarding Ohio\u2019s budget bill, which determines the level of funding we receive through the Public Library Fund. </div><div><br>In April, we asked you to contact your Ohio House of Representatives Member in response to their budget proposal, which converted the Public Library Fund (PLF) from a percentage of the General Revenue Fund (GRF) to a fixed line-item appropriation, and changed the way it would be distributed to the Counties. </div><div><br><strong>Your voice made a difference! </strong></div><div><br>The language changing the distribution formula that would have resulted in CHPL losing 29% of its state funding was removed from the bill. </div><div><br>Now, the budget bill is in the Senate and being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. </div><div> </div><div>This week, the Committee introduced a budget proposal similar to the House-approved bill, but with a few unwelcome additions: </div><div> </div><div><ul><li>The PLF remains a line-item appropriation retaining the House-approved amounts of $490 million in Fiscal Year 2026, and $500 million in Fiscal Year 2027. </li></ul></div><ul><li>However, the Senate is also proposing to allocate additional funds from the Public Library Fund line item to the State Library of Ohio, Regional Library Systems, Ohio Public Library Information Network, and the Library for the Blind. This amounts to over a $10 million deduction off the top of the fund each biennium, before any money is distributed to public library systems. </li></ul><ul><li style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>It\u2019s important to note that the Governor\u2019s proposed funding levels for the PLF were $531 million in Fiscal Year 2026 and $549 million in Fiscal Year 2027. </strong></li></ul><ul><li>Language approved by the House creating a provision to place material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression out of the view of minors remains in the bill. </li></ul><ul><li>New language was added to allow county budget commissions to reduce the millage on any voter-approved tax levy (except debt levies) at their discretion.</li></ul></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.3;text-align:left;color:#0c2340;"><div><strong>What's Next?</strong></div></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:550px;"> <img src="https://atmt-chcoh-230212235704.cdn-wmk.com/media/images/2025-State-Budget-Timeline.png" style="border:0;display:block;outline:none;text-decoration:none;height:auto;width:100%;font-size:13px;" width="550" height="auto" data-unique-identifier=""> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.3;text-align:left;color:#0c2340;"><div>I am working in partnership with libraries across the state and the Ohio Library Council by holding direct conversations with legislative leaders. </div><div><br>Although we are not calling for your action at this time, we want you to remain as informed as possible. If the budget is passed by the Ohio Senate, there will still be opportunities to advocate for stable, consistent funding before the budget is finalized by June 30.</div></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:0.8;text-align:center;color:#0c2340;"><div><strong>State Funding Support for Public Libraries Is Essential</strong></div><div> </div><div><strong>50% of Our Library\u2019s Funding Comes from the State</strong></div></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.3;text-align:left;color:#0c2340;"><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; background-color: transparent;">The Library will continue to update you as the budget evolves. We ask that you please follow CHPL.org for the latest updates and bookmark the page for the latest updates. </span></div></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" vertical-align="middle" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse:separate;line-height:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#0c2340" role="presentation" style="border:none;border-radius:3px;cursor:auto;mso-padding-alt:10px 25px 10px 25px;background:#0c2340;" valign="middle"> <a href="https://chcoh.patronpoint.com/r/05a0425c46f782268fa8b375f/AAAAAhQFEQFzFAIGABEFZW1haWwGAQgBTREBZQgBTRECc3QRFjY4NDM5NWViNmE3Y2MyNTIyODE5MzARAWwKAA3GTBEBYxQBDgIIAU0%253D" style="display:inline-block;background:#0c2340;color:#FFFFFF;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:19px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.2;margin:0;text-decoration:none;text-transform:none;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;mso-padding-alt:0px;border-radius:3px;" target="_blank"> Bookmark this Page for Library Budget Updates </a> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" role="presentation" style="width:600px;" width="600" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" ><tr><td style="line-height:0px;font-size:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"><![endif]--> <div style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;margin:0px auto;max-width:600px;"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;width:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="direction:ltr;font-size:0px;padding:20px 0px 20px 0px;text-align:center;"> <!--[if mso | IE]><table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td class="" style="vertical-align:top;width:600px;" ><![endif]--> <div class="mj-column-per-100 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="font-size:0px;text-align:left;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="vertical-align:top;" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" class="mj-text" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial, sans-serif, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.3;text-align:left;color:#0c2340;"><div>Thank you for your ongoing support of not only CHPL, but libraries across Ohio. </div></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" role="presentation" style="width:600px;" width="600" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" ><tr><td style="line-height:0px;font-size:0px;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;"><![endif]--> <div style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;margin:0px auto;max-width:600px;"> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FFFFFF;width:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="direction:ltr;font-size:0px;padding:20px 0px 20px 0px;text-align:center;"> <!--[if mso | IE]><table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td class="" style="vertical-align:top;width:600px;" ><![endif]--> <div class="mj-column-per-100 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="font-size:0px;text-align:left;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" style="font-size:0px;padding:10px 25px 10px 25px;word-break:break-word;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:550px;"> <img alt="With gratitude from Library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger" src="https://atmt-chcoh-230212235704.cdn-wmk.com/media/images/NewsletterImages/2025/04/paula-brehm-heeger-library-director-with-gratitude.png" style="border:0;display:block;outline:none;text-decoration:none;height:auto;width:100%;font-size:13px;" width="550" height="auto" data-unique-identifier=""> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td></tr></table><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" 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</table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <!--[if mso | IE]></td><td class="" style="vertical-align:top;width:300px;" ><![endif]--> <div class="mj-column-per-50 mj-outlook-group-fix" style="font-size:0px;text-align:left;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;"> <br clear="all"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="" width="100%"> <tbody> </tbody><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="editText textElement" style="background:#0B223F;font-size:0px;padding:15px 25px 15px 25px;padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:15px;word-break:break-word;"><div style="font-family:'Arial', Arial,' Sans serif';font-size:15px;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0;line-height:16px;text-align:center;color:#ffffff;">Cincinnati & Hamilton County<br>Public 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