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.
