The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Libraries campaign against ‘devastating’ cuts

A patron browses the new materials section of the Middletown Public Library as a sign indicates what Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal will mean to the facility if it becomes reality.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman A patron browses the new materials section of the Middletown Public Library as a sign indicates what Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal will mean to the facility if it becomes reality.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Librarians fear ‘snowball’ effect of proposed state funding cuts

Teen accused in fatal beating to be charged as an adult
New 14 min. ago
Virginia governor to speak at county republican's dinner
3:36 p.m.
Chabot’s son arrested in Oxford
3:29 p.m.
Center taps into Ohio oil, gas boom
3:21 p.m.
Jungle Jim's in Cleveland?
12:10 p.m.
> More headlines

By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writers Updated 7:03 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The slip of paper that librarians across the region are passing out is not an overdue notice. It’s a call to action.

Area librarians are urging people to call, e-mail and Twitter complaints to Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio legislators about a proposed 50 percent funding cut library officials say will devastate library services and likely lead to cutbacks in hours, staff layoffs and branch closures.

“It would decimate our library system,” said Doug Bean, the director of the Middletown Public Library, which has branches in Trenton and West Chester Twp.

“We’re at a point where this would affect what the customers would see,” said Carrie Mancuso, the head of public relations for The Lane Libraries, which has branches in Hamilton, Oxford and Fairfield. “We’re making sure people understand the effect this could have.”

And people are listening and acting. On Monday, June 22, Strickland’s office logged 1,356 calls, 80 percent of them regarding library funding, 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 2010-11 budget approved by the Ohio House and Senate. With the state facing a projected $3.2 billion shortfall in revenue, the governor’s proposal re-sizes 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.”

Share this article