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Libraries campaign against ‘devastating’ cuts

A patron browses the new materials section of the Middletown Public Library as a sign indicates what Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal will mean to the facility if it becomes reality.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman A patron browses the new materials section of the Middletown Public Library as a sign indicates what Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal will mean to the facility if it becomes reality.

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Librarians fear ‘snowball’ effect of proposed state funding cuts

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writers Updated 7:03 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The slip of paper that librarians across the region are passing out is not an overdue notice. It’s a call to action.

Area librarians are urging people to call, e-mail and Twitter complaints to Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio legislators about a proposed 50 percent funding cut library officials say will devastate library services and likely lead to cutbacks in hours, staff layoffs and branch closures.

“It would decimate our library system,” said Doug Bean, the director of the Middletown Public Library, which has branches in Trenton and West Chester Twp.

“We’re at a point where this would affect what the customers would see,” said Carrie Mancuso, the head of public relations for The Lane Libraries, which has branches in Hamilton, Oxford and Fairfield. “We’re making sure people understand the effect this could have.”

And people are listening and acting. On Monday, June 22, Strickland’s office logged 1,356 calls, 80 percent of them regarding library funding, said spokeswoman Amanda Wurst. On a normal day, his office gets about 150 calls, she said.

Wurst said Strickland’s budget balancing proposal is “a framework” for the legislative conference committee working to reconcile competing versions of the 2010-11 budget approved by the Ohio House and Senate. With the state facing a projected $3.2 billion shortfall in revenue, the governor’s proposal re-sizes government and cuts nearly every line item, she said.

“These are extraordinarily difficult decisions,” Wurst said. “Tough choices are needed to avoid a tax increase.”

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New Hours?
Lane Library Council reviewed the information concerning usage. They decided that they would recommend to the Lane Library Board that the following change of hours would be at each branch: Monday through Thursday – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Concerned
7:41 AM, 7/10/2009

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Didn't Hilter ban guns and didn't Hitler ban books? Then try to take over the world? Seems like Obamas plans are following the wrong people.

American
10:43 AM, 6/24/2009

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Dear Confused Mom:
This is about ALL of Ohio's public libraries. The new West Chester library is/will be part of the Middletown Public Library system. Take a look at YOUR library's home page and you will see how serious this situation is:
http://www.middletownlibrary.org/

Melville
10:40 AM, 6/24/2009

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To RML: The buildings may be owned by a governmental entity but the OPERATION is funded by the librarys. These are funds that came from local taxes and are mandated to return to the community from which they came. So much for enlightenment.

veteran
10:34 AM, 6/24/2009

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Good ole' Tax'em Ted. Just like a liberal to cry for education reform and "helping the little people" and then turn around and take from them one of the very services they utilize and need the most.

Ick
10:01 AM, 6/24/2009

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