State library 2

State Library of Ohio

  • Library Creation

    The State Library was created by Gov. Thomas Worthington with an initial collection of 509 books which were housed in the State Office Building.
  • Public Library Law

    Legislation enacted to create the incorporation of public libraies throughout the state but provided no funding for such ventures.
  • Library Moves & Laws change

    State Library moves from the State Office Building to the State Capitol. New laws were also enacted that created a library board of commissioners headed by the Governor, Secretary of State, and the State Librarian.
  • The School Act of 1853

    The School Act of 1853 was created and provided funding for school libraries which were often open to the public,
  • Legislation of 1869

    Legislation was passed that allowed municipalities to open their own libraries. This law will eventually help those municipalities gain funding through Carnegie grants.
  • Traveling Library

    Traveling library was created which by 1927 would have a collection of over 69,000 books.
  • Library Law of 1896

    Library Law of 1896 was enacted that required the Ohio state Senate to create a 6 person board of commissioners. The Governor was now responsible for appointing the State Librarian.
  • Carnegie grants for Public Libraries

    As part of the Carnegie grants intiative, the main public library in Columbus received $200,000 in grant money. Ohio eventually would build 106 public libraries from this grant money.
  • Library Organizer created

    Position of Library Organizer was created to help with creating libraries statewide.
  • State Library Closes

    The lack of appropriations, due to a gubernatorial veto, resulted in a temporary shutdown. This shutdown resulted in the State Library being staffed by the library staff serving in a volunteer status. This would last for 11 months before those staff member were finally compensated once again.
  • Intangible Personal Property Tax

    Public libraries were now being funded by the intangible personal property tax.This tax money was derived mainly from stocks and bonds and stayed in the community where it was collected and disbursed by need.
  • Library Moves

    The State Library moves to the newly built Ohio Departments Building.
  • State Funding

    The State Library begins to give aid/funds to libraries thoroughout the state. $50,000 was distributed during the year.
  • Library Law Codified

    Library law is now codified paving the way to continue its statewide mission.
  • Library Expansion

    Library expansion statewide is underway. 88 counties at this time have a branch library.
  • The Catalog Center created

    That Catalog Center opens to help with cataloging and processing services to public, school, academic, special, and institutional libraries across the state.
  • U.S. Public Law 87–579

    The enactment of this law places the State Library as the central depository for the regional federal documents.
  • Catalog Sharing

    The State Library and The Ohio State University collaborate to share a computerized catalog.
  • Intangible Tax repealed

    The Ohio General Assembly repealed the intangible property tax and created a commision to study the financing of public libraries. It was decided that 6.3% of personal income tax would be slated for this financing.
  • Online Catlaog expands

    The opening of the Riffe Research Center allows patrons to view over 4 million catolog entries between the holdings of the State Library and The Ohio State University Library.
  • Public Library Funding Freeze

    Governor George Voinovich froze the Library and Local Government Support Fund through the eneactment of the budget bill H.B. 298.
  • Further Funding Freeze

    The public library funding freeze continues as H.B. 298 was replaced by H.B. 904 which was a total freeze of funds.
  • Public Library Funding changes

    The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation that set public library funding at 5.7% into permanent law.
  • OhioLINK Member

    The State Library becomes a founding member of OhioLINK.
  • Ohio Public Library Information Network

    OPLIN collaborates to bring the internet to statewide public libraries.
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    State Library moves again

    The State Library closes wihtn the Ohio Departments Building but by 2001, reopens in the Jeffrey Mining Corporate Center.
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    Further Funding Freeze

    The econmic downturn of this era saw a funding freeze put on the Library and Local Government Support Fund. Throughout the duration, the funding was frozen at 2002 levels.
  • New funding for Public Libraries

    Funding of the states public libraries was expanded from the personal income tax base to all general revenue taxes at the rate of 2.22%. This allowed for an increase in revenues.
  • Public Library Fund

    The Library and Local Government Support Fund was changed to the Public Library Fund which ultimately reflects the true nature of the fund.