Ohio Library Funding Emergency - Public Help Needed (UPDATED 6/24/2009)

On Friday, Governor Strickland proposed a last minute change to the State Budget: the new budget cuts funding for Ohio’s Libraries by an additional $100 million dollars a year for the next two years.

Public libraries are a vital lifeline to job hunting information, education, and family fun in a down economy. The Greene County Public Library system receives 55% of its funding from the State of Ohio.  This funding rises and falls with the State's income, and funding for libraries has already fallen dramatically in the current recession. If the Governor’s new cuts become permanent, it will devastate the services the library provides to children, teens, adults and seniors throughout Greene County even as Library use is at an all time high.

Under the Governor’s proposal, the funding for Ohio’s libraries would drop to nearly half of 2008 levels. The cost to the Greene County Public Library would be $2.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The cut for this year would be in addition to the $3.3 million reduction the library is already facing because of declining state tax revenues.

"We have already absorbed large drops in state funding while working as hard as we can to not reduce services for our wonderful patrons," said Karl Colón, Director of the Greene County Public Library system.  "But, without this key state funding, we will have to make deep cuts in hours, eliminate services, and possibly even close branches in the future."

The library is asking the public to help protect the funding by contacting their representatives and the Governor’s office by phone and email this week. Contact information for those offices is below and can also be found on the library's website and in all library locations.

Governor Ted Strickland
(614) 466-3555
(614) 644-4357 (Fax)
http://governor.ohio.gov and click “contact”

Representative Jarrod Martin
(614) 644-6020
(614) 719-3970 (Fax)
district70@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Robert Hackett
(614) 466-1470
(614) 719-6984 (Fax)
district84@ohr.state.oh.us

Senator Chris Widener
(614) 466-3780
SD10@senate.state.oh.us

For more information contact Karl Colón, 352-4000 x 1201

** UPDATE **

HACKETT ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION TO GOVERNOR-PROPOSED LIBRARY FUNDING CUTS

COLUMBUS – Today, State Representative Robert D. Hackett (R- London) announced that he is not supportive of Governor Strickland's proposed funding cuts to Ohio’s libraries.

“I believe our libraries play an essential role in keeping the public informed and educated in addition to providing services that many residents either do not have access to or are unable to afford,” Representative Hackett stated.  “Instead of cutting funding to our libraries that provide much needed services to our residents, we should be looking at ourselves and other state agencies.”

Hackett said he is also very concerned about the impact of these new proposed funding cuts to those residents who use libraries to search for employment and the potential employee layoffs.

The state is facing a budget deficit of more than $3 billion.  In the midst of a national recession, state revenues continue to decline in Ohio.  Constitutionally, the state must balance its budget by July 1 and budget reductions are needed to cover the deficit. Among other reductions, the Governor has suggested a 30 percent cut to library funds.

“It is important that our libraries remain open and continue to be able to provide much needed programs for our children and to be able to provide access to the Internet for job seekers,” Representative Hackett said.  “Governor Strickland needs to hear directly from Ohioans who will be impacted by these devastating cuts. Moving forward, I will continue to voice my opposition to such a large cut to our local libraries and ensure that my constituents’ voices are heard.”

Currently, House Bill 1 is being discussed in a six-member legislative conference committee where a compromise measure must be crafted by July 1.