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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > June > 23 > Entry
Guest column: Strickland proposal will devastate Ohio libraries
Tim Kambitsch is executive director of the Dayton Metro Library. Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to permit slot machines covered the front pages of Ohio’s newspapers during this past weekend. The real gamble he’s taking, however, is his proposal that would cut funding to Ohio public libraries by nearly 50 percent. That move would force the closure of many of Ohio’s 750 public libraries and branches found in neighborhoods and communities in every county in the state.
“Where will you go when your library closes?” is a question Ohioans have to ask themselves. Where will your teens go when the safe and constructive places they visit after school are gone?
Unemployed, underemployed and at-risk employees trying to hone their skills, seek out new employers and update resumes will find computers turned off and doors closed.
Parents and caregivers wanting to ensure young children are ready for kindergarten will be left to their own devices and their children will be left behind. Children who use public libraries for school support and homework help — often because school libraries have been eliminated — will have no other option. Statewide summer reading programs that help kids retain essential reading and learning skills will no longer be available.
This is not rhetoric. This is not hyperbole.
If enacted Strickland’s late-hour proposal to cut $227.3 million in funding to Ohio’s public libraries will be devastating. This move could not come at a worse time, considering that libraries have been stressed by nearly a decade of funding freezes and cuts.
The remarkable thing is that, while public libraries have been making the tough choices required to balance budgets, they have been keeping their doors wide open, making a difference in the lives of record numbers of users.
Ohio public libraries are funded by 2.22 percent of total state General Revenues Fund tax receipts. Everyone understood that when the economy contracted, public libraries would see less funding.
And, in the last decade, libraries have lost nearly a quarter of that funding, with most of the decline coming in recent months. It has been painful, but public libraries have been willing to endure their fair share. The governor’s proposal is an additional 30 percent cut on top of the 20 percent reduction libraries have already experienced this year.
Libraries have always been a refuge for those who seek self-improvement. For the last 15 years, they have also been the place for those who cannot afford Internet access. For many Ohioans, libraries may be the only way to participate in the information economy.
In today’s world, public libraries have never been needed more. They provide information, materials and programs necessary to survive in this economy.
Closing public libraries will send a message to young people: “Go elsewhere.” Strickland’s proposal contributes to a downward spiral from which Ohio will never recover.
The budget conference committee needs to make difficult decisions within the next 10 days. It cannot gamble with Ohio’s future and take all of us down the road of decline.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Economy, Guest Columns, Ohio politics
Comments
By Rob
June 23, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
What does Mr. Kambitsch suggest Ohio’s legislature do to replace the $227M in cuts?By Reader
June 23, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this
Reading? How pre-Obama Revolution!!!! “We don kneed know stinkin’ books!!!!” We got Obama & Strickland honkin’ on his johnson to make sure we need to know everything we know!!!!! So there!!!!!!By christopher
June 23, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
What statistic is Strickland using to show that libraries don’t need the money? Is there any research to show that the cut is justified? Or, is this like the on-going lay-offs: out-of-the-blue and across the board? Maybe he can show that he has already cut costs similarly in other areas? How about putting public servants on the same health plan as the rest of the ‘public’?By Angry
June 23, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
Obviously, he prefers gambling over learning!By Brandon
June 23, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
Of all the things he could cut I think the this should be at the top of the list. Good choice Strickland.By Jenna
June 23, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
If Strickland would enact a flat 5% cut across the board, there would be no need to devastate the libraries and schools. In this day and age, Ohio can ill afford to neglect the benefits of the public libraries. The free services at the library allow people to creat new business plans, conduct e-commerce, advertise their products, create new products and increase our ability to be competitive in in the global marketplace. Willingness to kill the libraries sends the message that Ohio hates learning, hates information and prefers ignorance to knowledge sharing. Libraries are a lot more than dusty old books and no major corporations are going to be willing to locate in a state that values ignorance and few new businesses are going to spring from the ignorance that the closing of 70% of the public libraries is going to foster. But hey, maybe you don’t love Ohio and maybe you hope it will become a ghosttown. That’s up to you, I guess. But if that’s how you feel, why not just move out now and beat the rush on uhauls that closing the libraries will cause.By Citizens Against Moral and legal abuse
June 23, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Maybe if the Library system stuck to reading material, and not be a free source of the latest DVD movie releases, music cd’s, software and free internet connections, it could be what it suppose to be a repository of knowledge, book’s !!!By Joanie
June 23, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
Dear ‘Citizen against’ I predict that in the year 2009 there will be something called audio books that can be enjoyed while traveling. I donate all my older Disney movies and other appropriate materials such as ‘how to’ videos to the library for others to learn skills or crafts. We were all worried just a few years ago about Homeland security snooping our checked out books and media material, now we have to worry about getting into the door. Donate to your local library when possible and take advantage of the book sales when they are held…the ones bought can always be donated back.By booklover553
June 23, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
Libraries are always necessary, but in hard economic times they are essential. Please don’t cut funding when library services are most needed. It is a short-term fix that will have devastating long-term consequencesBy max
June 23, 2009 6:26 PM | Link to this
This just sickens me beyond words. And to also hear that Strickland wants to entirely cut DECA’s state funding…a school that has 100% graduation rate AND most kids graduate w/ associate degrees and head on to 4 yr colleges…Let’s close down schools that are working…None of this makes sense.By I love books too but ...
June 23, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
We are in a world wide recession. Sales tax revenue is down (people are not spending) and income taxes are down. Health care, nursing homes, parks, jails, every aspect of public life is feeling the pinch. Hospitals are facing cuts the police are facing cuts, people with disabilities too. The library’s should find ways to help.Local communities may have to help, instead of depending on state tax dollars. Did the writer think he would be the only one not impacted by budget cuts? He is willing to promote a tax increase? Did not think so. Library’s have the option of putting a tax issue on the local ballot, that is a sure way to test community support.By sugarfree
June 23, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know what they are planning on doing with the money they are trying to take away from libraries?By paybills
June 23, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this
Sugarfree, great question. All areas of the budget are being cut, someone suggested a 5% across the board cut, state has had 15%, most recently and that is after other cuts. I would say it will help leave money for health (medical Benefits) for kids and seniors, safety - police and other areas. Everyone is hurting right now, to leave libraries intact while nursing homes took a hit while cops get laid off would be wrong. This recession will not last forever, but it is here today. The budget needs to be balanced. The other option is to raise taxes and fees to make up for the lack of money.By Knowledge Junkie
June 23, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
One issue that no one has raised in any of the comments about the budget cuts jumps out at me. Ohio already has an unemployment rate of 10.8%. What will that be when half of our 200+ libraries in Ohio close due to lack of funding? What happens to all of the currently unemployed when their source of internet access, resume building classes, interviewing skills classes, etc. is gone? I’d like to know what happened to Strickland’s committment to education? Early childhood literacy? I agree that the libraries need to take their share of cuts. But, which other agencies are taking a 50% cut? Looking at Strickland’s proposal, I can’t find one. Maybe if the budget cuts weren’t so unbalanced, there wouldn’t be shuch an uproar amongst the library community.By collards
June 24, 2009 7:02 AM | Link to this
For years, when the money flourished, libraries showed little, if any, fiscal responsiblity. They bought multiple copies and got away from the original intent which was enforming the public to be informed for elctions. They have been reduced to buying romance novels and left leanning non-fiction selected by transitory so called professionals. They are run by these professionals usually without management or business degrees just 36 hour master programs. In the good times, they usually spent without a regards to tomorrow or a savings account. They wanted to brag in director’s meetings about staff, building and collection size. Now they are crying. Remove the poor managers and send them back to the reference desks. Sure the budgets are being cut, but these folks are unprepared to run multi-million dollar systems and their lack of preparation and cries now prove it.By Charlotte
June 24, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
Did anybody actually read this? The Library has already incurred a 20% reduction of funds this year. I think that the libraries are taking their fair share of budget cuts. 20% just this year is definitely a substantial amount to absorb. The cut that Strickland is proposing is an addition 30% making a 50T toal budget reduction.By Barry
June 24, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Has anyone even thought of the thousands of library employees that will lose their jobs if these cuts take place? That’s just what Ohio needs. More people in the unemployment line.By Barry
June 24, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
Has anyone even thought of the thousands of library employees that will lose their jobs if these cuts take place? That’s just what Ohio needs. More people in the unemployment line.By laughing duck
June 24, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
“wake up” no the Democrats didn’t get what they wanted. What we got was a Republican who calls himself a Democrat. Strickland has proven himself a social conservative and now with these cuts, he has shown his true colors. Re-election for him is an impossibility. Hopefully the Legislature will keep him from doing too much harm.By Synack
June 24, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
I think this decision is too soon. The years first half of sales taxes haven’t come in to the state yet. As a small business owner my first sales tax check to the state was $0.13, but in this July I will be paying thousands. As more large companies fail my small business is picking up. I really wonder if it is going to be as bad as they think. In any case why are the voting on July 1st, instead of waiting till August till the next round of sales taxes come in. Could they maybe be worried that if things do better than expected they won’t be able to get this plan they want passed?By Stephanie
June 24, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
‘Citizens Against’: First of all, “books” doesn’t have an apostrophe, so get off your high horse about the library being a repository of knowledge. Secondly, most public libraries do not offer software or game rentals. The free internet usage provides thousands of people with an opportunity to tweak resumes, apply to jobs online, and utilise one of the largest repositories of knowledge in the world. The same people who complain about public libraries offering music and movies are the same group that would complain if the library didn’t offer these services, using it as an excuse for the libraries to be closed because they can’t “keep up with the times.” And to ‘collards’: What library system would survive buying one copy of the newest James Patterson when there are always more than 500 requests for said titles before they are even on the shelves? And what knowledge do you have of the education of the staff working at libraries? A 36-hour master’s program? Hardly. All librarians have Master’s degrees, much of the “regular” staff have Bachelor’s degrees. Please don’t write public employees off as ignorant, useless people. They do more for the public in a day than you surely do.By how will...
June 24, 2009 1:12 PM | Link to this
When laid off you must file for unemployment benefits online, how will someone who has to cut their budget - ie get rid of the home internet, be able to apply for unemployment? I just cannot imagine that Gov. Strickland who claims to be FOR education, can even think to slash the library budget by 50%!By A librarian
June 24, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
I am a public librarian in the Miami Valley. In the past few years I have helped 100s of people build the computer skills needed to survive in this economy. I have helped w/unemployment applications, job applications, resumes, Social Security applications, etc. The people I have assisted do not have the means or skills to do these tasks on their own. Where will they go if libraries are not available? In response to some other comments, I do have a Master’s Degree and did take courses in fiscal management, and take every purchase I make into deep consideration.By Janet
June 24, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
Strickland needs to cut his own salary and the salaries of all his administrative people in the state house. He expects us to cut back but does he and his personnell?By collards
June 24, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
stephanie The ala approved MLS is a lousy 36 hour program. If you didn’t read my opinion correctly, why should I expect you to use a library. james patterson and his ilk isn’t why public libraries were chartered. Once again, they were to educate the voters to be an informed electorate and to anglocize the immingrants. Step, stop reading fluff and start to use the library for self education. Who was Justin windsoe, what was dewey’s first name and where was the first US public library Step. I doubt if you know these.By Calvin
June 24, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
Reading all these comments, I don’t know where to start! First DECA has a 100% graduation because they move out the students not likely to graduate and to meet their requirements. It’s what parochial schools used to do when they had lots of students. I recommend that MAX not try mixing library and school information. In past years the libraries had cut their hours because they wanted an additional levy. Since then the library system has become a showcase, in my opinion, of serving their public.The taxes I used to pay on intangibles that was eliminated and replaced by different state funding has sreved well. The administration responds to real concerns about what the library has or does. I’m sad to see the governor trying to to short the libraries who have already taken their cuts. He will be another Gilligan. He should just close the state parks instead of the libraries. He has been a joke and the legislators are as bad as Congress at not cutting their own pork. I see why so many area leaving Ohio.By Stephanie
June 24, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this
Justin Winsor, one of the creators of librarianship as a profession, as well as a founder of the ALA and the Library Journal? No, no clue who he is. Melvil. The Franklin, Massachusetts Public library. Unless, you mean the first publicly-funded library (in New Hampshire) or the first free public library (Scoville Memorial, Connecticut). I’ve worked in a library for the better part of ten years; don’t patronize me.By Teresa
June 25, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
My husband and I use two libraries: The Piqua Library and The Miami Co. Library in Troy. And I have 3 of my grandchildren enrolled in the summer reading program at the Troy Library.I have had my library card since I was 7 yrs. old.What is Gov. Strickland THINKING???Citizens will use the library more then they will go gambling. merBy Ralph
June 27, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
I am in agreement with collards and also the one who said that the library should stick to educational reading material instead of obtaining the latest DVD movie releases. I know at least two seniors who place orders with their branch for dozens of DVD’s so that they can “CLONE” them, duhhh, what intelligent beings. Illegal to copy DVD, is it not? And to think that MY tax dollars pay for these misuse of the library!By Joseph
June 29, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Perhaps the state can eliminate Strickland’s position. We don’t need no stinkin’ governor. Especially one that is apparently illiterate based on his lack of respect for libraries, which are institutions to knowledge and have historically been the measure by which the knowledge, and spread of knowledge, inside a nation is judged.By G.Hoagland
June 29, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Reading these comments , I have really been appalled ! For those of us who have NO jobs, No internet! No money to rent entertainment, you begrudge us the opportunity to use the internet to look for work, to check out a movie, a book or a cd? It must be a wonderful sitting on top of your world where you can pass judgment on the rest of us. I ask the same question as another poster, ” Has the Governor cut his salary and those of his staff ? Why are we the tax payers always the ones who have to suffer while government has free health care, we pay for their trips and God know what else they do with OUR tax dollars.If we have to give up so much , then they should also have to cut their salaries and benefits. This was America the the last time I checked . WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE UNITED.EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. Not just for the few!