Statement of the Committee for Decent Libraries on the Jefferson County Library Tax Levy Renewal Election – November 4, 2025
We are proud of our campaign to inform the taxpayers of Jefferson County of the inappropriate books for children being purchased by the libraries with our tax dollars and made available in the children’s sections without parental consent. With only a few weeks and a shoestring budget, we narrowed the margin of passage for the library tax levy from 40 points the last time it was on the ballot in 2019 to just 4 points in 2025.
We believe we would have prevailed had this been a fair election, but illegal actions by the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County stacked the deck. Library staff distributed pro-levy signs and flyers from the libraries, which is a flagrant violation of Ohio law because they were campaigning on government property. We have filed a complaint with the state auditor and are reviewing additional legal options. Some of our signs were stolen, blocked, or vandalized. Library tax levy supporters spewed hateful rhetoric against us and spread misinformation.
Despite the library staff’s illegal actions, we nearly won. We are not going anywhere and will continue our work to hold the PLSJ accountable.
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The Public Library of Steubenville & Jefferson County carries dozens of books written for children which promote transgenderism to kids. The image at the top of the website shows just a handful of them. And they were purchased with your tax dollars.
These books are geared toward children as young as 2, and teenagers who are susceptible to gender ideology and are available for any child under 18 without parental consent on the shelves of the libraries in Steubenville and across Jefferson County, including Downtown Steubenville, the Schiappa Branch, Adena, Brilliant, Dillionvale/Mount Pleasant, Tiltonsville, and Toronto.
For over three years now, a local group of parents has been trying to work with the library to remove these inappropriate books, or at least require parental consent for children to check them out. The Library Board of Trustees has refused to remove the books.
The Public Libraries of Steubenville & Jefferson County are taxpayer funded. We own them. If they are not responsive to the concerns of taxpayers, we have the right to cancel some of their funding.
Vote NO on the library tax levy renewal on your ballot in the 2025 elections.
Voting no will not defund or close the libraries. It will suspend 33% of their funding, which can be reinstated after changes are made. Voting no will reduce your property taxes if the tax levy is defeated.
Early voting is open now through November 2nd at the Jefferson County Board of Elections, 500 Market Street in Steubenville. Voting by mail (absentee) is open now. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th.