On Friday, June 19th, the Governor proposed a cut in the Public Library Fund of $227.3 million in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 as part of his plan to patch the $3.2 billion gap in the state budget that must be filled by June 30th. This will mean a more than 50% cut in funding for many of Ohio’s public libraries.
This would result in drastic cuts in services, staff and hours of operation. While the state is experiencing an 18% reduction in revenue, the cut would be especially devastating for Ohio’s public libraries. Keep in mind that not a single library closed during the Great Depression.
We are encouraging all of our patrons to contact Ohio legislators and the Governor’s Office on behalf of Ohio libraries before June 30th. Let them know what your library means to you! Contact information is listed below.
Not sure what to write? Check out this sample letter.
Governor Ted Strickland
614-466-3555
Senator Bill Harris, President of the Senate
614-466-8086
Senator David Goodman, 3rd District
614-466-8064
Representative Kevin Bacon, 21st District
614-466-6030
Representative Marian Harris, 19th District
614-466-4847
Representative Nancy Garland, 20th District
614-644-6002
Representative Kris Jordan, 2nd District
614-644-6711
For more information on the budget proposal, please refer to this article from Library Journal, or the Save Ohio Libraries website.