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State Library warns of mold, pests and failing infrastructure; requests one-time relocation funds
Summary
State Librarian Mandy Knapp told lawmakers the library's rented facility has mold, pests and climate-control failures that endanger rare collections and requested a one-time $525,000 appropriation to relocate at-risk materials and plan a long-term move.
Mandy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio, told the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee Feb. 4 that the State Library's current rented facility suffers repeated infrastructure issues — including mold, mildew, roof leaks, pests and HVAC failures — that jeopardize rare and one-of-a-kind collections and that the agency needs one-time funding to relocate materials to secure storage and plan a move.
Why it matters: The State Library preserves legal and historical materials used by legislators, researchers and the public. Knapp said the collection includes rare items such as letters signed by George Washington and an official Ohio House photograph from 1890–91, and that climate-control failures and leaks pose long-term preservation risks.
Knapp requested a one-time $525,000 increase for FY26 to assist with physical relocation of collection items to secure storage, to create preservation plans and to broaden technology access for users. She explained the apparent large operating budget is misleading because several outside organizations and line items are included in the State Library's operating totals; the portion of the library's operating budget that comes from state revenue was about $4.5 million in FY25.
Knapp described statewide programs supported by the State Library that generate large savings for local libraries and agencies, including consortium resource sharing, the Ohio Digital Library, workforce-focused digital skills training (Ohio Online) and maker-space grants. She told lawmakers the library's delivery costs have doubled since FY20 and the materials budget has decreased by 29% in the same period.
What was not decided: The committee did not take a vote on the request during the hearing. Knapp agreed to follow up with committee staff about whether library programs align with the state's mandated 'science of reading' curriculum standards.
Looking ahead: The State Library requested the one-time relocation funds and suggested the governor's recommended base funding would preserve minimum services in future years.
