Ohio residents who spent the past year relying on the resources available through their public libraries may be surprised to learn that the General Assembly is taking a look at cutting funding to libraries by approximately $22 million per year.

Should the state Senate’s version of the budget prevail, the Public Library Fund will continue to be 1.7% of the General Fund. If the House version wins out, that 1.7% will be eliminated.

For a system the size of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, that amounts to a loss of approximately $1.5 million, according to CEO Patrick Losinski, who spoke with another media outlet. That would mean the loss of 30% or so of the CML’s annual budget.

Of course not every public library system in Ohio would see the same dollar amount lost as Columbus.

But the effects would be similar. For smaller systems, such as the Belmont County District Library network with branches in Martins Ferry, Bridgeport, Flushing, Bethesda, Powhatan Point and Shadyside, much smaller budget cuts could have an impact that is just as large.

At a time when Buckeye State residents most need the resources available through our libraries, those resources — such as internet access, children’s actvities and research materials — could be significantly diminished.

Lawmakers have tough choices to make in sorting out Ohio’s budget. Deciding to give the Public Library Fund all the financial support it is due should be a no-brainer.