Local Library Director: Closings Are Inevitable
NBC 4
Libraries across Ohio are scrambling as Governor Ted Strickland proposes a more than 50 percent cut for state library funding.
CENTRAL OHIO—Strickland announced $2.4 billion in spending cuts late Friday, including a $227 million cut to Ohio’s 251 library systems, two-thirds of which do not have a local property tax levy on which to rely.
Ohio faces a $3.2-billion budget deficit amid declining tax revenues.
Looking to close the growing state budget gap, Strickland proposed cuts to the Public Library Fund (PLF) of $122.5 million in fiscal year 2010 and $114.8 in fiscal year 2011. The cuts would force systems to operate at 1990 levels.
Lynda Murray, director of government relations at the Ohio Library Council, said she sees the massive cut as the final checkout for many of Ohio’s 251 library systems.
“Seventy percent of these libraries have no other source of money to operate. The other 30 have levies but still use those state dollars for successful programs,“ Murray said.
Programs such as the Job Help Centers at the Columbus Metropolitan Library system face an uncertain future.
If the cuts were to pass, the system’s portion drops from $24 million a year to just $11 million.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Executive Director Patrick Losinski said closings were inevitable.
“Our branches are at capacity. So many of the people that come in today need the services we provide as they struggle to find new employment. They use everything from our computers to resume books—to improve themselves and look for that next job. They will have no place to go if we shut our doors,“ Losinski said. “We actually have letters from customers that told us they landed a job and they attribute it to visiting the job help center at the library.“
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Reader Reactions
With all the social programs in place why am i always hearing about more and more needy?
A piece of employment seeking advice would be don’t wear a hoody in 90 degree weather.
I work in the Outreach Department of a Franklin County Library. My patrons are disabled-homebound elderly and children who are at risk. I love my job, I’ve been here 10 years. I care for my patrons. I listen to them when they tell me that the materials I deliver to them are critical to helping them deal with the pain and lonliness they feel. I just wanted you all to be aware that the library does this sort of thing too, not just provide pricelss information and assistance to a bazzlion details.
Please continue to support the neediest ones in our community.
Thanks
What is happening to Columbus???? Libaries are a main source of education and learning, I cant believe Strickland would evn consider this. Lets spend a mint on city center but close library branches. Our childrens future is supposed to be learning to lead our country oneday. Sad day for Ohio isnt it when we have a governor that could make cuts in his own dept including himself instead of taking away a source of education. I hope everyone out there takes the time to tell him what a mistake this would be for our future leaders. Ohio is in a crisis becuase of stupid over spending. I know several people who work for the state and city and half their day is playing on computers or forwarding joke email must be nice to have this kind of spare time at a job. You didnt get my vote Strickland now you can see why!!!!!!!!
The City of Columbus doesn’t have anything to do with funding the Columbus Metropolitan Library. We are supported by local property taxes (revenue is down)and the State of Ohio. Contact your local representative or look at the library website (www.columbuslibrary.org)to learn how to protest this decision.
Recall both Strickland and Coleman!
Time for change
I work at the Columbus library. This is no joke or empty threat. We have been cutting expenses and working with a budget from 1999. Inflation has been terrible over the last ten years. This would be terrible for our library system and devastating for all the small county libraries that get 90% of their funding from the state.
I understand the need to reduce spending but the easiest solution is not always the correct one. With the current economic climate and those unemployed with school-aged children who cannot afford internet service, how are these kids suppose to do school research projects that are assigned? Education seems to be taking a huge hit from all sides while the Govenor tries to balance this budget!
Let them know how you feel.
Governor Ted Strickland 614-466-3555
State Senator Tim Schaffer 614-466-5838 SD31@senate.state.oh.us
State Representative Jay Hottinger 614-466-1482 district71@ohr.state.oh.us
State Representative Dan Dodd 614-466-2500 district91@ohr.state.oh.us
Columbus is becoming more and more undesirable every day. I’m almost ashamed of the city I live in.
I would vote for a levy for an increase in property tax, if it was just for the library.
Why is it that I have to plan ahead to secure my future, pay my bills… but at the last moment, they throw this in your face? Does anyone pay attention to the future like I do in a government agency?
sulee ... I think you said it well.
Doesnt anybody see that they are trying to push more threats down our throats as it gets closer?
Why haven’t we seen the Mayor out speaking?He seems to be hiding.
maybe if we fire the people who work for the state who are digging through personal info on individuals we could save some money.
We can make plenty of cuts in the city and state office pool .I have worked in these buildings and it would make you want to puke if you saw how much wasn’t being done during the day.I would say about 2 in 10 people actually produce while the others are scrammbling for the table at the end of the cubicals for a potluck or playing games on their computers.NO accountability at all.
closeing the girard free library would be a horrible mistake.my mother is disabled and i am the only one who can get books for her and i don’t drive. so it would be heartbreaking for her aswell as i. people need the library for so many reasons. why would you take that away. haven’t we had enough take away from us. the employees at the gfl are are wonderful aswell as the library. WE NEED IT!!!!!
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