This past Friday, Governor Ted Strickland proposed a cut of $227.3 million {from library funding} in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 as part of his plan to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the state’s budget. This will mean a more than 50 percent 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.
With about 70 percent of the state’s public libraries relying solely on {the state for funds}, the reduction … will mean that many will close branches or drastically reduce hours and services. Libraries bring critical services to the community, such as early childhood education, job help, free Internet access, and a place for everyone to come together as a community.
This budget will be finalized by June 30th so the time to act is NOW!
* I've quoted all of the above from the Save Ohio Libraries Web site but I wholeheartedly agree that this is a real threat to public libraries and the important services they provide. The cuts would be especially devastating to those libraries serving rural and lower-income communities who depend heavily or entirely on the state's support.
PhotonStopper 
I added my email to the 15,000+ the Governor and Representatives received last Monday. It's difficult to believe they are even CONSIDERING cutting libraries and Medicaid in these tough times. Let's just kick the little guy after we cut off his legs then! Sheesh!
I can understand that, when the state's budget is way out of whack, many things need to be cut back. But it's not like this is the first time. Politicians are seemingly unaware of the value of a library to its community and how citizens love and depend upon them for so much. In Ohio they have been trimming support steadily over many years now. We have reached a critical point, in some cases, where any more cuts will mean the extinction of some libraries. Believe it or not, folks, a great many members of the general public are not ready to shift all of their entertainment and information needs to Netflix, Amazon, Google, and high-speed Internet –which they probably don't have– and will be harmed by loss of library services. {Whew!} Thanks for your support, Su! — JG