Library Programs To Suffer As State Cuts Funding
Alternative content
Library Cuts
Library usage is up, but programs will continue to suffer in the wake of state budget cuts.COLUMBUS, Ohio —This is the first summer kids visiting the Columbus Metropolitan Library can get a free lunch. For many it is quite possibly their only meal of the day.
Daycare owner Earlena Aunouviet says since the recession, she has lost several kids. Job loss and salary reductions mean fewer dollars in her pockets. So she brings her four or five young charges to the Karl Road branch.
“It is pretty hard when my income goes down and I still have my family to feed plus five or six kids,“ Earlena explains during lunchtime.
Library systems across Ohio are bracing for what could be the worst two-year budget belt-tightening ever.
Gov. Ted Strickland proposes cutting the Ohio Library Fund at 50 percent, some $227 million dollars to balance the state budget.
For about 70 percent of library systems, that is virtual death sentence.
The Pickerington Public Library gets 97 percent of its funds from the state. Now, programs like the Summer Reading Program for kids face certain doom next year, even though the Friends of the Library paid the costs this year.
“Next year we won’t be able to do the program because I’ll need to ask them for those monies to keep the doors open,“ said library Director Suellen Goldsberry.
The cuts couldn’t come at a worse time for the Columbus Metropolitan Library, where attendance is at an all-time high.
In fact, since the recession was formally recognized in December 2008, visits are up and branches are at capacity.
So what was Strickland thinking when he made the cuts? A statement from his office says, “This is not a matter of the worthiness of programs. It is a matter of not having the funds. Nearly every state government program and line item will absorb a cut to balance the budget and direct limited resources to protect the most vulnerable, especially children, the elder and the disabled.“
But it is a savings library supporters say isn’t worth the sacrifice.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at
.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
You know the books and movies are going away, too, right?
Unrepentant is right, the libraries should be “just libraries”. Not free lunch centers or tax preparers. No wonder the cuts are being made. Books, video, and audio resources supplement the schools just fine. The other stuff should go.
I welcome the gangs in front of my house.. It won’t be hard to fine my house it will be the one with a pile of dead trash in front of it..
Libraries are not havens for gang activity. CML employees, for example, are trained to recognize and respond to gang activity. Close the libraries and watch gangs grow. And hang out in front of your house.
The Library is just another place for the gangs and drug sellers to hand out.. Close all the librarys and save some money.
Maybe the library should just be a library.
I work in the library. The Governor is known as the Governor of Education? How is he the Governor of Education when he is taking away the supplements to the schools? Our libraries house more than just books and videos. We house our community here with free computer usage, safe internet access, storytimes, reading programs, information on unemployment, FAFSA for college bound students, free tax preparation for the elderly and disabled. Not to mention the community business meetings, civic organization meetings, children’s birthday parties, showers, etc… Where is the community supposed to go if we are no longer open? Contact the Governor today at 466-3555 and let him know you want Ohio Libraries to stay open.
It’s true many lower-income families depend upon the library’s free lunch program. However, free lunch has been offered at certain locations in CML before this year. Furthermore, Gov. Strickland’s office is simply lying when they say the money to support the libraries isn’t there. Libraries have already taken a funding cut of 20%; that’s understandable in the current economy. A cut of half is blatantly and deliberately killing libraries. Take a pay cut yourself, Mr. Strickland, and I might credit you with some sincerity.
I just news about all the cuts as well as the libraries, now trash in the parks..I cannot believe our city is allowing this..or the politicians..Ohio is getting more and more ignorant in their thinking and I dont think we the people like that title..All the crime, litter in the parks soon and we had a damn increase in property taxes for the parks..I cant figure it out..I give up but I know when I go to the voting booth ..Ill remember their names and pray they arent in office another term..count on it..Find other ways for the cuts..quit hurting the poor and the middle class..we have had enough..Quit using excuses for the reasons when this city overspent..I know i worked for the State of Ohio…Eventually there will not be enough ohioans left ..we all will have relocated out of this useless, jobless crime ridden state..im leaving so doesnt matter to me…
thank you
one more thing..respect your Police officers who do a fantastic job..they have alot on their plate..
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement