Overdue anger

   Way to go making me all freaked out by politics again, Strickland. I thought I was sooooo over this after the second Bush burn, but now you're hittin too close to home. Have any lemon juice you could pour straight on this ridiculous budget cut?

One colleague said that he is "livid that other less essential agencies, such as the Football Hall of Fame, are not being cut at all, and others are even seeing increases. For instance, the Department of Development, which gives grants to national corporate interests to build Chuck E. Cheese franchises and the like, has had its funding RAISED from 2008 to 2010 by nearly three times the amount that is being cut from libraries. Why can't this increase be reduced in order to support public libraries instead?"

Here is the message from my SLA listserv:

As many of you are aware, Governor Strickland has proposed a cut to state
funding for public libraries of $227.3 million in fiscal years 2010 and
2011 as part of his plan to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that
must be balanced by the Ohio General Assembly's Conference Committee by
June 30. This will mean a more than 50% cut in funding for many of Ohio's
public libraries. Libraries could close or face significant reductions in
operations as a result of the Governor's proposal. This cut is in addition
to the 20% reduction in funding that libraries are already facing, because
their funding comes from 2.22% of the state's declining General Revenue
Fund.

With some 70% of the state's 251 public libraries relying solely on
state funding to fund their operations, the reduction in funding will
mean that many will close branches or drastically reduce hours and
services.

  The Governor's proposed funding cuts come at a time when Ohio's public
  libraries are experiencing unprecedented increases in demands for
  services. In every community throughout the state, Ohioans are turning
  to their public library for free high speed Internet access and help
  with employment searches, children and teens are beginning summer
  reading programs, and people of all ages are turning to the library as a
  lifeline during these difficult economic times. Ohio's public libraries
  offer CRITICAL services to those looking for jobs and operating small
  businesses. Public libraries are an integral part of education, which
  Governor Strickland says is critical to the state's economic recovery.
  But it is unlikely that many of Ohio's public library systems,
  especially those without local levies, can remain open with these
  proposed cuts.

  About 30% of Ohio's public libraries have local property tax levies that
  supplement the state's funding. However, with the Governor's proposed
  drastic cuts in the state funding for libraries, even those libraries
  will face decisions regarding substantial reductions in hours of
  operation, materials, and staffing.

  For additional Information: http://saveohiolibraries.com/ and http://www.olc.org/SaveOhioLibraries.asp

The General Assembly Conference Committee will likely make their decision about this proposal this week. Please contact your legislators today!

Post a message to Gov. Strickland's Facebook page

If the outcry across the web (nearly every Ohio library [and even some non-Ohio libraries] have posted ways to contact Strickland about this) is any indication, the people of Ohio DO NOT WANT THIS.

It's no secret that libraries shaped me into the super-awesomeness that I am today. But I'll bet they did and still do play a part in your life and your community, too. They are not disposable and they are not going to take this lying down.

Comments

[Token]

I think that Strickland is doing the best he can with an absolutely decimated budget. Net says social services are getting the same axe; many counties are doing away with adult protective services altogether and having their children's services slashed horribly. I know the agencies that fund where I work are talking double-digit-percent reductions. Everybody's panicking and contacting the governor's office, because nobody can afford to take the hit he's proposing.

I don't get the logic. In a poor economy, people need social services. They need libraries (because if you can't afford to go to the movies, you can go to the library and get a book). It's great that "economic development" will bring jobs, but... cutting existing services will COST jobs. Would we rather have jobs for college-educated adult librarians... or for kids who make pizzas at Chuck E Cheese?

[maren]

So, can't our employer advise against this craziness? Oh, sorry... not enough profit/revenue to be gained for our for-profit entity. Per all the business advice we edit all the time: during a downturn, the wise entity INVESTS for the FUTURE. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face, per that bloody old saying.

Unfortunately, the pool of money in local government just isn't sufficient by any means. How to get more money... raise taxes? not viable either... we must invent a new business model. Something that a lot of people can contribute just a tiny bit, maybe? How about: when you buy a latte or candy or whatever indulgence of choice, reserve the change you receive to give to a worthy cause? nickels and dimes, they add up! it's just aggregating them efficiently that may be the sticking point. Just a thought. Libraries are awesome and my kids are going to free storytime tomorrow morning. They couldn't wait - wanted to go today already. Mikey said: "It IS tomorrow!"

[Cheryl Moore]

I am self-employed, but work through the Ohio Medicaid System. I am hoping there won't be too big a cut in that area. Not only do I need my job, but the young men I take care of really need these services. Without these services, I'm not sure what will become of these MRDD clients. However, Autumn, I wholeheartedly agree about the Football Hall of Fame and other sports venues. I feel whoever owns the teams or the people who want to go there should pay for these things. We also need libraries, because in this economy, a lot of people can't afford a personal computer and internet, and the library is the only place their children can have access to these very important tools. I have already contacted the governor and expressed my views.

[Cousin Amanda]

I guess Obama really can't fix everything.