Have you ever wondered how libraries are funded and all they have to offer? Continue reading to explore some of the highlighted programs and services at Kinsman Free Public Library as well as details on public library funding across the state of Ohio. Help us protect and restore the Public Library Fund by using your local library!
At Kinsman Free Public Library...
Early Childhood Literacy: Kinsman Free Public Library provides over a hundred early literacy programs, Storytimes and Outreach services across the rural Joseph Badger School district and surrounding areas attracting roughly 3300 participants in the past year. Early Literacy Outreach packets and programs are provided to 7 preschools and kindergarten classes in the school district reaching approximately 120 students each month. All programs and collection development aim to integrate, promote, and support early literacy-based practices that align with resources developed at the state level including: the Science of Reading, Ohio Ready to Read, All Ohio Literacy Library, Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, DaybyDayOhio.org and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. Additionally, it is KFPL’s goal to provide a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment for children and families that encourages exploration, individual play, and family engagement.
Workforce Development: Since 2017 Kinsman Free Public Library has been a partner of OhioMeansJobs Trumbull County promoting mutual support and coordination between the public workforce system and the public library system. In some cases, Kinsman Free Public Library is the closet location where members of our community can access reliable internet service which is essential for workforce development. In addition, KFPL provides affordable public access to printing, copying, and faxing which assists them in their goals towards further education, travel, medical, and work-related requirements.
Adult Services: Kinsman Free Public Library strives to promote life-long learning and the exploration of ideas through professional presenters and self-driven creativity. Libraries offer a “third place”, apart from home and the workplace, where adults come together to share ideas, spend time, and socialize. One such opportunity for socializing is at one of KFPL’s five adult book clubs, where last year 380 participants joined in discussions. The Mysteries @ the Inn Book Club, which meets at a local restaurant, has grown to an active 30 members many of whom have loyally been attending the monthly meetings since the group started in 2017. Adult literacy is also promoted through the annual Summer Reading Program, daily reader’s advisory, and author visits. The library has hosted numerous local and Ohio authors over the years, including Mindy McGinnis, Julie Anne Lindsey, Wendy Koile, and more.
Historical/Genealogical: Kinsman Township in Trumbull County has a rich and proud history, and Kinsman Free Public Library is directly ingrained into its history. Groundbreaking began in 1913 at this historic Carnegie Library, and it has continued to serve this community ever since. The Kinsman Historical Society collection of local history objects and archival materials is stored and displayed in the Library’s Local History Room and managed by KFPL staff. Maintaining this collection helps to fulfill the library’s mission by preserving, providing access to, and educating the community specifically pertaining to Kinsman and its founding families. Frequent genealogical requests and donations are processed by library staff and items digitized into an online database. Visit hub.catalogit.app/4911 to explore over a thousand items in the collection. KFPL is an active partner of Trumbull County Historical Society and was a 2023 Regrant Recipient from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board.
Technology & Digital Literacy: KFPL provides over 150 one-on-one Technology Help Sessions per year to help drive digital literacy in our community. These one-on-one sessions offer personalized attention to promote growing confidence in the participants' technological skills. Technology outreach programs are also provided monthly to two local senior centers, Johnston Senior Center & Kinsman Senior center reaching over 150 additional participants. Libraries across the county are bridging the digital divide by circulating mobile hotspots, offering public computer stations, and on-site Wi-Fi access, and KFPL is no exception. This past year the library has circulated 216 mobile hotspots and provided access to a combined 4,085 public computer and Wi-Fi sessions.
Restore Funding for Ohio's Public Libraries:
• Public libraries have already been cut.
• Ohio’s public libraries are receiving the same funding now as they did 25 years ago.
• In 2008, the General Assembly established the Public Library Fund (PLF) at 2.22% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). Since that time, the percentage has been reduced. The PLF is currently set at 1.7%.
• The cut in state funding is severely impacting the PLF at a time when costs are escalating, patron usage is increasing, and the demand for local services is growing and expanding.
• 51% of the total funding for Ohio’s public libraries comes from the state through the PLF.
• The primary sources of revenue for public libraries are state funding and/or local property tax levies.
• 20% of Ohio’s public library systems rely solely on state funding through the PLF and do not have a local property tax levy (48 of the 251 library systems).
• Public libraries in Ohio have not been able to keep up with the rate of inflation. Since 2007, inflation has risen by 51.6%, meaning the $458 million allocated to the PLF in FY07 should have reached $694.5 million by FY24 to maintain the same value.
• Ohio's public libraries are extremely popular, with over 7.4 million cardholders and one of the highest library usage rates in the nation.
• Public libraries deliver a significant return on investment, generating $5 in economic value to Ohioans for every $1 spent.
Public libraries differ from schools and other local government entities in several ways:
- No County Sales Tax
- No City Income Tax
- No Casino Revenue
- No Funding for Facilities in Capital Budget
- No ARPA Funds
- No Inside Millage
Frequently Asked Questions About Library Funding:
1. How are public libraries funded by the state of Ohio?
Currently, public libraries receive funding from the state through the Public Library Fund (PLF). Each month, the PLF receives 1.7% of the state’s total tax revenue received during the previous month in the General Revenue Fund (GRF). State tax revenue that goes into the GRF comes from multiple sources, including the state personal income tax, sales and use tax, business taxes, etc. Therefore, state funding for public libraries ebbs and flows with state revenues.
2. Do all of Ohio’s public libraries have a local property tax levy?
No, 48 public library systems do not have a local property tax levy and rely on state funding through the PLF as their primary source of funding for day-to-day operations and providing services to their communities.
3. Do public libraries receive local county sales tax revenue, local city income tax revenue or Casino revenue?
No, public libraries do not have taxing authority to implement a local sales tax or income tax. Also, unlike counties, cities and school districts, public libraries do not receive Casino revenue from Ohio’s casinos.
4. How much funding for public libraries comes from the state?
Collectively, 51% of the total funding for Ohio’s public libraries comes from the state through the PLF.
5. Did Ohio's public libraries receiving federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding like other entities such as counties, townships, and municipalities?
No. In Ohio, public libraries are separate political subdivisions and not a division under city or county government. Therefore, libraries were not eligible to receive the billions of dollars that other local governments and schools received directly through ARPA. Additionally, libraries do not receive separate funding for facilities. Traditionally, libraries have also been excluded from appropriations through the Ohio Capital Budget and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.