Libraries rallying supporters to protest proposed budget cuts

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Employee Casey Davidson shelves books at Wright Memorial Library in Oakwood. Davidson's job might be affected by the announcement of plans to remove $227.3 million in funding from Ohio's public libraries in order to fund other budget priorities.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Employee Casey Davidson shelves books at Wright Memorial Library in Oakwood. Davidson's job might be affected by the announcement of plans to remove $227.3 million in funding from Ohio's public libraries in order to fund other budget priorities.

By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 11:31 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The slip of paper librarians across the Miami Valley are shoving into books is not an overdue notice. It’s a call to action.

Miami Valley librarians are urging people to call, e-mail and Twitter complaints to Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio legislators about a proposed 30 percent funding cut library officials say will devastate library services, and likely lead to cutbacks in hours, staff layoffs, and branch closures.

“It would mean big changes for us,” said Karl Colón, director of the Greene County Public Library. “We’ve asked our communities to let the governor know how they feel about his proposal.”

People are listening and acting. Since his Friday budget announcement Strickland’s office logged 3,156 calls, about 80 percent of them regarding library funding, and 13,360 emails on the subject, 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 2010-2011 budget approved by the Ohio House and Senate. With the state facing a projected $3.2 billion shortfall in revenue, the governor’s proposal resizes 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 that would hurt Ohio families and businesses and perhaps prolong the recession.”

Area libraries are highly dependent on state funding, which is tied to state tax revenues. Those revenues have plunged, causing libraries to cut their budgets by about 20 percent already this year. Strickland’s proposal would cut their funding an additional 30 percent -- $112 million -- by the July1 beginning of the state’s fiscal year, said Lynda Murray, of the Ohio Library Council.

Librarians said patrons will definitely notice the deep cuts that will be necessary if the legislature adopts the proposal.

“I’m thinking bookmobile, I’m thinking maybe we can work out of churches,” said Abby Noland, director of the Preble County District Library. “Obviously we are going to have to reduce hours. I can’t see holding on to all my staff.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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