Monday, June 22, 2009

OHIO GOVERNOR TO CUT LIBRARY FUNDING

Governor’s Budget Proposal cuts the Public Library Fund by 50%

The Governor’s proposed state budget is considering a 50% cut to the Public Library Fund. These cuts far exceed the expected 20% reduction in revenue we are currently experiencing at Community Library in Sunbury, Ohio.

We need you to ACT NOW! Let your legislators know that these cuts will force the closure of many of Ohio's public libraries, including ours.
We cannot afford to lose half of our libraries at a time when people need them most.

Because library funding is a percentage of the state’s general revenue fund, as the economy has faltered, so has library funding. The library is already facing a 20% reduction in funding this year alone. To adjust to this loss in revenue, Community Library has reduced supply expenditures by 27%, reduced contracted services by 3%, implemented time
off without pay for all staff, reduced material purchases, and reduced program offerings.

What can you do to ensure that Community Library in Sunbury will remain open?
Contact your legislators NOW to voice your strong opposition to further cuts to library funding!

The Governor's proposed funding cuts come at a time when Ohio's public libraries are experiencing unprecedented increases in demands for services. In every community throughout the state, Ohioans are turning to their public libraries for free high speed Internet to access information on employment opportunities, children and teens are
beginning summer reading programs, and people of all ages are turning to the library for information and entertainment.

Ohio's public libraries offer critical services to those looking for jobs and operating small businesses. Public libraries are an integral part of education, which Governor Strickland says is critical to the state's economic recovery. But it is unlikely that many of Ohio's public library systems, especially those without local levies, can remain open with these proposed cuts.

On June 30, the Ohio General Assembly will decide whether or not to accept the Governor's proposal. We cannot allow that to happen. We cannot wait. Email or phone the Governor and our state legislators to voice your strong opposition to further cutting public library funding by moving money out of the general revenue fund. There is no time for letters. This is a drastic measure proposed by the Governor and it will
require a dramatic and immediate response from library supporters.
Following is contact information for the governor and our legislators.
The presence of the library in our community can no longer be assumed.
Please call or email our legislators to ensure that Community Library will survive this crisis.

Governor Ted Strickland
614-466-3555
http://governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?link=150&tabid=153

Senator Harris
614-466-8086
SD19@senate.state.oh.us

Representative Kris Jordan
614-644-6711
district02@ohr.state.oh.us

Sincerely,
Chauncey G. Montgomery,
MLIS
Director/Fiscal Officer
Community Library
Sunbury, Ohio
740-965-3901
montgoc1@oplin.org