To urge Ohio members of the Congress of the United States to seek a solution to ensure public access to e-book materials through public libraries.

WHEREAS, Public libraries in Ohio are open 1.8 million hours a year to all Ohioans; and

WHEREAS, 2.1 million children and 6.7 million adults are cardholders at public libraries in Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Technology has enabled public libraries to provide e-books, which are rapidly growing in popularity with public library customers; and

WHEREAS, The increasing demand for public libraries to offer e-books is difficult to meet because some major publishers refuse to sell or license e-books to public libraries; and

WHEREAS, Public library customers are increasingly requesting e-books, only to be informed that major publishers will not sell or lease requested titles to public libraries; and

WHEREAS, By denying public libraries access to e-books, and by making e-books cost prohibitive, publishers have limited access to information to only those who can afford to purchase it; and

WHEREAS, This issue should be fully examined and considered so that all children and adults have access to informational materials to enable all citizens to compete in the digitalized global economy; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 130th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, respectfully request that Ohio members of the Congress of the United States seek a solution to ensure public access to e-book materials through public libraries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the Governor of Ohio, Ohio members of the Congress of the United States, the public libraries of Ohio, and the news media of Ohio.