[OPLINLIST] State Library addresses 13.57% reduction in Ohio General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriations for FY2018 and FY2019

Wed Sep 6 12:57:11 EDT 2017

Please excuse multiple postings...

The State Library of Ohio recently implemented several cost saving measures to address a 13.57% reduction in our Ohio General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriations for FY2018 and FY2019. While it may appear at first glance that we were flat funded, our operating budget has been reduced by $1.4 million over the biennium.  There are state funds represented by several line items in the budget that are designated for specific agencies or programs such OPLIN, Ohioana, and SEO. These line item appropriations, along with revenue from fees to statewide delivery, SEO, and federal funding from IMLS may only be used for specific purposes.

As a result, for FY 2018-2019, we cut our library materials and electronic resources budget in half, left seven staff vacancies unfilled, and reduced spending for travel, supplies, and many other operating expenses. Unfortunately, these cuts were not enough to bring the spending into line with available revenue.  The only other option available was to reduce spending for salaries and benefits by reducing our staff through the elimination of the following five positions:

  *   State Data Coordinator
  *   Senior HCM Analyst
  *   Library Assistant II
  *   Delivery Worker
  *   Librarian II (Cataloger at SEO)

The elimination of these positions will leave a lasting mark on the work of the State Library.  We will miss each and every one of these valued employees and the contributions they have made.

  State Library Budget at a Glance
Agency

Fund

Title/Purpose

FY 2017

Executive Budget

Final Budget FY 2018

Change

LIB

GRF1

Operating Expenses

$5,206,745

$5,206,745

$4,500,000

-13,57

LIB

GRF

Ohioana Library

$120,114

$120,114

$295,114

LIB

GRF

Regional Library Systems

$582,469

$582,469

$500,000

-14%

LIB

DPF2

Services for Libraries

$3,953,106

$4,190,834

$4,190,834

LIB

DPF

Ohio Public Library Information Network

$5,041,153

$5,689,788

$5,689,788

LIB

DPF

Library for the Blind

$1,274,194

$1,274,194

$1,274,194

LIB

ISA3

Services for State Agencies

$0

$8,000

$8,000

LIB

FED4

LSTA Federal

$5,350,000

$5,350,000

$5,350,000

  1.  GRF = General Revenue Fund
  2.  DPF = Designated Purpose Fund
  3.  ISA = Internal Service Activity Fund
  4.  FED = Federal Funds (LSTA)

The State Library has changed dramatically over the past decade in terms of staffing, physical size, and funding level.  When the State Library submitted its budget request for the FY 2008-2009 biennium, funding was requested for 91 existing positions.  Starting September 2, 2017, the State Library will have a staff of just 59 positions (five of those are employees of OPLIN, a separate state agency under the State Library of Ohio not impacted by the budgetary reductions).  This represents a staffing reduction of 35% over the past ten years.  However, the dramatic decline in State Library staffing is even more apparent when considering that in FY 2002, the State Library received funding for 130 positions, representing an overall reduction of 55% in staff positions since FY 2002.

How will these changes impact libraries?
Since many of the services and programs the State Library provides for libraries are funded with federal LSTA dollars from IMLS, libraries won't immediately feel the impact of most of these changes.  There are, however, two areas that will have an immediate impact on public libraries.  The first is the elimination of the State Data Coordinator position.  Although this position has been eliminated, the State Library still has state and federal mandates that require us to collect and report data about public libraries to IMLS and to state government officials upon request.  The collection and reporting functions will be absorbed by other staff at the State Library.  If public libraries have questions about the data included in the Annual Report, they should be addressed to Associate State Librarian for Library Development Missy Lodge or Government Information Consultant Kirstin Krumsee.

The elimination of the Cataloger at the SEO Library Center will have an impact on SEO member libraries.  SEO Director Dianna Clark and her staff are currently developing a plan for working through this process and will work with SEO member directors to develop and implement a plan for various cataloging procedures in the near future.

The Regional Library Systems (RLS) sustained a cut of 14% in General Revenue Funding in the FY 2018-2019 Budget.  Each RLS Director worked with their staff and boards to determine the best way of addressing the shortfall.  For the most part, they were able to tap into reserve funds and reduce spending in some areas to bridge the gap for the current Biennium.

Budget Timeline FY 2018-2019

*        The Office of Budget & Management released Budget Guidance for state agencies on                   July 20, 2016.  Agencies, including the State Library, were asked to develop a budget request with a limit of 90% of FY 2017 General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriations, with the ability to request up to 10% in extended funding.  Non-GRF funds could be requested up to 100% of FY 2017 appropriations.

*        The State Library prepared its budget request in accordance with this Budget Guidance and submitted it by the deadline of October 14, 2016.

*        Governor John Kasich released his Executive Budget on Monday, January 30, 2017.  In that Budget, Governor Kasich recommended the State Library be funded at 100% of FY 2017 GRF appropriations.

*        In April 2017, Ohio legislators learned that they would have to trim $800 million from the proposed biennial budget because state tax revenues continued to lag well behind estimates.

*        When the Ohio House adopted its version of the budget on May 2, 2017, it included a 13.57% reduction (-$706,745 each year) in General Revenue Fund Operating Expenses for the State Library.  This reduced level of funding was ultimately included in the final version of the budget signed into law by Governor Kasich on June 30, 2017.

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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, Ph.D.
Public Information Officer
Director, Marketing & Communications
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614-644-6875
Fax: 614-466-3584
library.ohio.gov<http://library.ohio.gov/>

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