For two days this week Tom Giambroni had articles in the newspapers about the governor's decision to cut state funding for libraries by an additional 30%. Across the state that cut would amount to $227 million. Strickland stated the cuts were one of many to eliminate a $3.2 billion budget deficit in his proposed budget. In the past 18 months state funding for libraries have already been cut by 20%. Those cuts also affect our library.
Matt Stewart calls it "The death of libraries" and attributed it to "suburban shopping culture". The tone of his article is sounding the death knell of our free libraries. He noted that library usage is down and even EL KSU got rid of their library.
Reading the newspapers & blogs I stopped yesterday at our library to check out what is going on and how it will affect us. Head Librarian Tracee Murphy is out on medical leave but her second in command, Toni Lloyd, was very helpful filling me in and answering my questions.
As previously noted on more than one occasion our library is very active. Over the last few years they have gone out of their way to especially provide activities for children with special events. This summer they have a different activity every Tuesday morning for our village youngsters. The first event was standing room only and last week they had 74 children attend. Those activity events are scheduled each Tuesday through August. There is a reading contest where any child that reads five books is awarded a coupon for a Taco Bell burrito and taco.
Mrs. Lloyd advised me that library usage has gone up quite a bit in the last year averaging 5,500 visitors a month. For our little village that is quite a number. Book usage is up. I know of people that belong to book clubs to just get news of new publications. Then they turn around and call the library for any new books they want to read. It's an economical way to keep up with their favorite authors. It's a service provided free of charge to library members. Membership is also free.
Computer usage at the library has gone out of sight. Many of the users conduct job searches and write resumes. Some use them to apply weekly for their unemployment benefits and some drop in because they can't afford the Internet at home. That's another service that is provided free of charge.
When asked what is going to happen if the governor's cut goes through, Mrs. Lloyd said closing is the very last option that will be considered. First to be considered will be reducing the purchase of new books and movie DVDs. If forced to because of budget restrictions they may look at reducing the hours of operation and possibly reducing staff. Right now contingency plans are all up in the air.
The state budget has to be acted on in Columbus by the end of the month. As of yesterday the ladies told me that the governor has been hit with 14,000 e-mails protesting the library fund cut. You can help by e-mailing Mr. Strickland, State Senator Jason Wilson and State Rep. Linda Bolan. For the governor go to http://www.governor.oh.gov/. At the bottom of the page there is a "Contact" listed. Hit that and an e-mail form will pop up. Wilson can be e-mailed at senatorwilson@maild.sen.state.oh.us and Bolon at district01@ohr.state.oh.us.
Ask them to please reconsider the cut in funding especially since it has already been cut a whopping 20%. While you're at it ask them if anyone has proposed a 10% wage cut for elected and better paid state officials.
Thanks ladies for your assistance. If you want to keep up on the news about this visit the Ohio Library Council's web page at http://www.olc.org/.
ole nib
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