The West Union branch of the Adams County Public Library remains open to serve the community, though hours have recently been reduced in response to state funding cuts and rising operating costs. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
The Adams County Public Library is scaling back operating hours for the first time in more than a decade, a decision Executive Director Nick Slone says was made with great care to minimize impact on the community.
Beginning this fall, library branches will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 1 – 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The adjustments mean the library will open three hours later on Fridays and close three hours earlier on Saturdays—changes Slone stresses were chosen based on the lowest foot traffic data.
“We track foot traffic at each location,” Slone explained. “So we picked hours that were the lowest foot traffic by far. It’s not what we want to do, but we’re doing the best with what we’ve got.”
The changes come in response to a combination of state funding cuts, inflation, and a steady decline in levy revenue. Since 2012, when the library levy was first passed, revenue from that local measure has dropped by 22 percent—largely due to the closure of Dayton Power & Light’s facilities in the region.
“That’s held pretty steady over the last few years,” Slone said. “Our hope was, through modest increases to state funding, that we could offset that sum. But we’ve reached a point where we’re going to have a deficit if we don’t start making some reductions.”
In addition, rising costs have taken a toll. The library saw a 30 percent increase in electricity rates this year, with inflation affecting everything from building maintenance to digital materials. The cost of e-books, for example, has risen sharply in recent years as publishers adjust their pricing models and licensing agreements, adding another layer of strain to library budgets.
While the reduced hours represent a difficult adjustment, Slone emphasized that the library’s core services—including afterschool programs, community events, and access to technology—remain intact.
“One of the reasons we made this step now is to preserve all of the services that we offer,” he said. “We’re not looking at cutting those. Things are already stretched thin with not replacing staff, so this is about being able to continue moving forward.”
Since the beginning of the year, the library has lost the equivalent of 85 hours of staff coverage each week due to attrition, with positions left unfilled to help balance the budget. By trimming hours strategically, the library hopes to reduce strain on staff while keeping popular programs and essential services accessible.
As for long-term solutions, Slone said increasing the levy millage has not been part of the conversation, noting the financial challenges faced by many Adams County families. The library’s current levy is not up for renewal until 2031.
“I definitely want to thank all the residents of Adams County because we wouldn’t even be able to do what we do without them,” Slone said. “Our hope is still that the state funding can offset the cuts we’ve seen. A lot of people here are struggling, and we understand that.”
He added that libraries across Ohio were caught off guard by recent state-level funding reductions, which he said were influenced by miscommunication and inaccurate information circulating at the statehouse. He remains hopeful that the next biennial budget cycle, which will be approved in 2027, could restore some of the lost support.
“If we see any kind of improvement, I would love to restore hours,” he said. “That would be a big priority.”
Despite the changes, Slone emphasized that the library remains a vital and welcoming resource for Adams County.
“The library is still here for the residents of Adams County,” he said. “We’re going to continue to provide the level of service they’ve come to expect and do everything we can to enrich their lives. We tried to minimize the impact as much as possible. For those it does affect, we wish it were different—but we’re still here to offer all the same great services people have come to love.”
From book lending and computer access to children’s story times and community meeting spaces, the Adams County Public Library continues to be a cornerstone of local life—even as it adapts to leaner times. For now, Slone hopes residents will adjust to the new schedule and continue to take advantage of the library’s offerings.
“This is still your library,” he said. “And we’re committed to making sure it stays that way.”
