Now more than ever, we need institutions dedicated to actual facts, information literacy, and civic engagement. Our libraries are non-partisan cornerstones of democracy and they need our help.

Join us on June 10 to spread awareness and activate members of your community to take action to protect libraries! (Sign up for your preferred library at the bottom of this description). What’s at stake? President Trump’s proposed federal budget eliminates ALL federal library funding and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which oversees the majority of grant money distributed to libraries and museums.

Many libraries, including rural libraries here in Ohio, depend on this money to keep their doors open and to offer vital services such as early literacy programs, GED classes, technology instruction, senior supports, and after-school tutoring. Additionally, the state budget as passed by the Ohio House of Representatives would further reduce the Ohio Public Library Fund, leaving many hard-working rural towns without the resources they need to keep their community libraries open and awesome.

What can you do?

• Contact your State senator at http://ohiosenate.gov/members/contacting-your-senator and ask them to keep the Public Library Fund at 1.7%.
• Contact your U.S. senators at https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/ and ask them to protect libraries by supporting IMLS and fully funding the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) programs.
• Sign up for a shift at one of our local libraries and help spread the word by clicking here.

Hosted by Action Together Lakewood Area.