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Public libraries in the state of Ohio are facing another $227.3 million in cuts in the latest proposal to balance the state budget by Governor Ted Strickland.
The June 19 announcement of the proposal would potentially lead to the closing or significant reduction in Ohio’s 251 public libraries. This comes after 20 percent in cuts already made in the last year due to revenue loss by the state. The decision on the proposal will decided by June 30.
Summit County Marketing Director Carla Davis said the Summit County Libraries would be looking at around $6 million in cuts from their previous $14 million funding from the state.
“We would severely curtail our programming,” Davis said. “Those programs that are so vital would be severely limited.”
The cuts would come to the books, CDs, DVDs, programs, hours of service and some libraries might be closed entirely. Some people might think CDs and DVDs are non-essential, but there are just as many educational options as there are entertainment ones.
“A lot of people learn from non-fiction DVDs,” Davis said. “We probably spend as much money on ‘How to...’ DVDs as entertainment DVDs.”
Linda Dahl, Manager of Public Info for the Stark County District Library, talked about how shocked and concerned they are over the proposal.
“If this comes to pass as proposed, it would devastate libraries all over, including Stark County,” Dahl said.
Dahl said there would be library closings in Stark County if this proposal goes through. They are looking at a cut of about $3.5 million to Stark County libraries. This comes during a time when people are using the library more than ever because of the struggling economy.
“In tough economic times, people take advantage of the library,” Dahl said. “People are lined up when we open our doors (every morning).”
People are using the library not just for reading purposes, but to look for jobs on the Internet.
“We are giving materials to people looking for jobs,” Lake Library Branch Manager Jen Walsh said. “There have been increases lately from families who are looking for activities that are free, teens needing free Internet access and computer access for jobs. We provide computer education skills, from the basic level of learning to use a mouse to how to use (Microsoft) Excel files.”
Walsh added libraries understand cuts need to be made across the state, but they just want those cuts to be proportionate.
“We’ve been preparing carefully to not have excess in our system and the 20 percent cut, which matched the revenue drop,” Walsh said. “But libraries seemed to be taking a disporpotional hit.”
Public libraries in the state of Ohio are facing another $227.3 million in cuts in the latest proposal to balance the state budget by Governor Ted Strickland.
The June 19 announcement of the proposal would potentially lead to the closing or significant reduction in Ohio’s 251 public libraries. This comes after 20 percent in cuts already made in the last year due to revenue loss by the state. The decision on the proposal will decided by June 30.
Summit County Marketing Director Carla Davis said the Summit County Libraries would be looking at around $6 million in cuts from their previous $14 million funding from the state.
“We would severely curtail our programming,” Davis said. “Those programs that are so vital would be severely limited.”
The cuts would come to the books, CDs, DVDs, programs, hours of service and some libraries might be closed entirely. Some people might think CDs and DVDs are non-essential, but there are just as many educational options as there are entertainment ones.
“A lot of people learn from non-fiction DVDs,” Davis said. “We probably spend as much money on ‘How to...’ DVDs as entertainment DVDs.”
Linda Dahl, Manager of Public Info for the Stark County District Library, talked about how shocked and concerned they are over the proposal.
“If this comes to pass as proposed, it would devastate libraries all over, including Stark County,” Dahl said.
Dahl said there would be library closings in Stark County if this proposal goes through. They are looking at a cut of about $3.5 million to Stark County libraries. This comes during a time when people are using the library more than ever because of the struggling economy.
“In tough economic times, people take advantage of the library,” Dahl said. “People are lined up when we open our doors (every morning).”
People are using the library not just for reading purposes, but to look for jobs on the Internet.
“We are giving materials to people looking for jobs,” Lake Library Branch Manager Jen Walsh said. “There have been increases lately from families who are looking for activities that are free, teens needing free Internet access and computer access for jobs. We provide computer education skills, from the basic level of learning to use a mouse to how to use (Microsoft) Excel files.”
Walsh added libraries understand cuts need to be made across the state, but they just want those cuts to be proportionate.
“We’ve been preparing carefully to not have excess in our system and the 20 percent cut, which matched the revenue drop,” Walsh said. “But libraries seemed to be taking a disporpotional hit.”
This comes at a time when libraries are seeing more use than ever. Green Branch Manager Mary Miller reiterated the same thing Davis, Dahl, Walsh and Jackson Branch Manager Deb Lanam said when people coming and using the library are up.
“We see a lot more people coming into the library using all our resources because you can get so many different from of media with no charge, and to help with their job hunts,” Miller said. “We are seeing a big increase in that, and in our computer training classes.”
Children summer reading programs are seeing higher attendance this year than in the past at Green, Lake and Jackson as well.
Support to save the libraries is growing on a daily business. All branch managers said their local community is doing what they can to do their part to save the libraries.
“We have had overwhelming support of people asking what they can do,” Davis said. “I've gotten tons of E-mails that people are contacting their legislators... People need to understand the hands of the library goes beyond the people it touches, but the businesses we work and collaborate with.”
If the proposal goes through, Davis said the library will take on these cuts immediately, since the state’s fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30. This would mean current program currently at a local library might not be there next week.
Those looking for more information can go to www.olc.org regarding the proposal. There is also contact information on the Web site for local state representatives in all areas. Governor Ted Strickland’s phone number is 615-466-355 if people wish to call and leave a message, and there is also an online link to contact him from his Web page. His Facebook.com page (search Ted Strickland) is already flooded by people asking to save the Ohio Public Libraries.
