Frequently Asked Questions
LIBRARY FUNDING FAQ
How are public libraries funded by the state of Ohio?
As of July 1, 2025, Ohio public libraries receive funding from the Public Library Fund (PLF) through a line-item appropriation established in the state biennial budget (House Bill 96). Previously, the PLF received 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund.
Why are public libraries receiving less money from the state?
The overall funding allocated to the PLF has decreased due to the change from a percent of the General Revenue Fund to a line-item appropriation. The General Assembly set the PLF at $490 million in FY26 and $500 million in FY27, but they also added language to fund other state library agencies and entities from the PLF, which further reduced funding to local public libraries by an additional $10.3 million. The net result in FY26 is that libraries receive approximately $479 million in FY26, down from $504 million in FY25.
How much funding for public libraries comes from the state?
Collectively, 48% of the total funding for Ohio’s public libraries comes from the state through PLF. Local property taxes now make up more than half of library funding in Ohio. Swanton Public Library relies on local property tax for 41.8% of its funding.
Do libraries receive income from income tax, sales tax, casinos or marijuana taxes?
Overall, libraries do not receive revenue from any of these sources. Swanton Public Library serves the Swanton School District, so we do receive PLF funds from both Fulton and Lucas Counties, split according to student populations from each county. We do not receive any income from the Swanton School District.
Where does revenue for Swanton Public Library come from?
Ohio PLF funding is our primary source of income and our second largest source is real estate taxes, which includes the 1 mil property tax that has been renewed by voters every five years since 2011 and a .5 mil property tax that was originally approved in 2009 and is a continuing levy (approved by voters without renewals). Minor revenue sources include donations, fees for faxes, copies, printing, and interest on our rainy day fund. Below is a pie chart:
What does Swanton Public Library spend money on?
Below is a pie chart of the areas of expenditures for Swanton Public Library. As is the case for most public entities and businesses, wages and benefits is the largest category. 58.2% is spent in this category. By comparison, we are below average compared to Ohio (64.5%) and other Fulton County libraries (61%).
How is Swanton Public Library governed?
All libraries in Ohio are overseen by a 5 or 7 member Board of Trustees, depending on the type of library. Swanton Public Library is a school district library, so the Swanton School District Board of Education approves the annual budget and approves Trustee appointments. The 7 member Swanton Board of Trustees serve 7 year terms (changed to 4 years in 2025) without pay.
Monthly public meetings are held on the third Monday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. The Library Director (Marian Veld) and Fiscal Officer (Kelly Truckor) attend the meetings and report directly to the Board. The Board of Trustees set local policy, manage the annual budget and oversee facility operations. Current Trustees are: Tom Zimmerman, President, Mona Dyke, Vice President, Heather Wegener, Secretary, Joey Braden, Brooke Chinni, Colin McQuade, Kevin Young.
What is the overall financial condition of Swanton Public Library?
Our financial condition is very good, but without this 1 mil levy, we would drain our “rainy day fund” within a matter of years. The “rainy day fund” is what we rely on for capital improvements and major expenses.
The Swanton Board of Library Trustees has always tried to keep spending in line with estimated revenue for the year and filed a balanced budget annually with the state of Ohio. Most years this has resulted in a surplus of income due to higher than estimated revenue and/or lower than estimated expenses. However, the Trustees know that building maintenance and improvements can be very costly, so the practice of keeping budgeted expenditures in line with income continued.
In the past several years, major improvements have been budgeted. Our future plans include major renovations. We plan to use our reserves for these expenditures. We will be wrapping up our strategic long range plan in the coming months. This includes looking at ideas for revamping our space. The SPL Board of Trustees is committed to providing our village and area residents with a vibrant and forward thinking Library.
Sources: Ohio Library Council, IMLS Library Budgets
Address
Contact
Phone: (419) 826-2760
Fax: (419) 826-1020
Opening Hours
Mon - Tues
10:00 am-7:00 pm
Wed-Thur
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Fri
10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sat
10:00 am – 2:00 pm