28/06/2025
Hey, Ohio people who care about libraries, especially in Youngstown and Mahoning County!
THIS IS URGENT BECAUSE I JUST SAW THE EMAIL AND THEY ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO GET THEIR COMMENTS IN BY NOON TODAY!! So we do still have time but need to get on it now.
What we can do in the next hour is contact Governor Mike DeWine
Main Line: (614) 466-3555
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357
https://governor.ohio.gov/contact
**Also pasted some talking points straight from the email at the bottom if u wanna skip to that**
I'll give a super quick rundown of the issue here just in case. If you're familiar with what is happening in Ohio State Congress with libraries, you can prob skip this part.
Ohio congress will vote on the state budget and send it to Gov Mike DeWine for a final signature if it is approved. The problem here this proposed budget involves House Bill 96, which many people have probably at least heard of if they live in Ohio.
If you're not familiar, this bill contains some tricky, deliberately complicated language (like most bills). Specifically, this bill seeks to put restrictions on public library materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity that essentially bar access to these materials for anyone under 18!
I don't have time to get into why this is such a crucial and personally significant issue for me due to MY experiences as a kid, but I don't think this is something I need to explain to anyone on my friends' list anyway
Additionally, this may result in more overreaching censorship, as restrictions would apply to the books that are allowed to be on public display.
This sets a DANGEROUS precedent, paving the way for broader restrictions and censorship.
So yeah, basically...Public libraries across Ohio are reaching out now and they need our voices.
We have one more hour to intervene in whatever way we can.
We can at least contact Governor Mike DeWine to express that this is NOT WHAT OHIOANS WANT OR NEED.
We need to urge him to veto this provision!! But we only have until noon today. Bc I don't check my email enough I guess.
I'll put the contact info here again:
Main Line: (614) 466-3555
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357
https://governor.ohio.gov/contact
Unfortunately, I don't have time to search for or type up a whole script BUT the email I received did list talking points to focus on, so I will copy and paste those below.
****Here is a portion of the email I received below from The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County:
"....This provision would strip local library staff and library boards of their authority to make decisions in the best interest of their patrons. Instead, it would dictate what materials public libraries can and cannot display to the public.
This overreach into local decision-making runs counter to the principles that have helped Ohio thrive as a state that respects local autonomy.
Public libraries across Ohio are reaching out now and we need your voice. I’m asking you to contact Governor DeWine and urge him to veto this provision.
As you reach out, I encourage you to be respectful and focus on these talking points:
Public libraries do not act in loco parentis. It is not the role of libraries to assume the responsibilities of parents or guardians in determining what materials a child can or cannot access. That responsibility lies solely with families, who are best equipped to guide their children based on their values and beliefs.
PLYMC believes in parental control. This language would put that burden onto library staff.
This provision removes local control, something that has a high premium in Ohio, and PLYMC already has a content review process in place.
These restrictions take that responsibility away from Mahoning County residents.
Public libraries provide access to a wide array of resources to serve all members of the community, fostering an environment of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Restricting content on gender identity—or any topic—undermines the mission of libraries to provide inclusive and equitable access to information.
The bill language is overly broad and vague.
Implementing this language would be extremely costly and difficult to manage. Some libraries have millions of volumes in their collection and some have estimated this could require an additional $3.1 million in expenses for just a single library system. Others have projected at least six years for their staff to review the existing materials to ensure compliance and possibly closing off entire sections of the library to individuals under 18.
Governor Mike DeWine
Main Line: (614) 466-3555
Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357
https://governor.ohio.gov/contact
Please make your voice heard by noon on Saturday, June 28. Thank you for your continued support and for standing with Ohio's public libraries.
