State cuts could put libraries in a bind
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune ChronicleArticle Photos
WARREN - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's plan to reduce public library funding would have devastating effects on the seven-library system in Trumbull County, their directors are saying.
Friday's announcement that nearly half the funding allocated to Ohio's 251 library systems would be removed to help fill the more than $1 billion state budget shortfall would mean reduced or discontinuation of services, reduced hours and in some cases, closure, they said.
''These cuts would certainly force significant reductions in services at all libraries and would make it nearly impossible for some of our local libraries to remain open,'' James Wilkins, director, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, said Monday.
And it's happening at a time when libraries are seeing a resurgence in use and increased circulation. Due mainly to a slumping economy, families looking at ways to cut costs are turning to libraries, a free source of entertainment for their video, music and reading needs.
Perhaps of greater importance now are the children's programming, reference, computer and job and unemployment assistance services libraries provide. Directors across Trumbull are reporting an average usage increase of about 30 percent.
''We do a lot of hands-on and have a lot of one-on-one contact with our patrons,'' McCrone said. ''They're not going to have this source anymore. And if they do, how much time will we have to help that person if we're running on 50 percent of staff?''
Ohio's public libraries primarily are funded through the public library fund, which accounts for 2.2 percent of the state's general tax revenue. The cuts proposed by the governor's office would mean more than a 50 percent reduction for many of the state's libraries, their directors say.
In dollars, that means the fund would see a $227 million reduction over the next two years.
The reduction likely would happen in August, giving directors a more clear picture on their future.
For now, they are hesitant to predict what could happen, except to anticipate reduced services and in the worst-case scenario, library closings.
''There is no way we can be open 40 hours a week. What number is between, I can't venture a guess,'' said Sherry Ault, director of Hubbard Public Library, which would see the $646,000 it gets cut in half.
In Warren, Wilkins said said he'll begin looking at different scenarios, including reduced hours, layoffs and branch closings.
Patrick Finan, director of the Niles McKinley Memorial Library, which already saw its funding drop from about $1.1 million to $770,000 to about $550,000, said the state dollars account for about 90 percent of his budget. He'll be looking at juggling services and hours.
He sees this move as a way for Ohio to shift the funding burden to the library systems, which in the future, could lead to discussions of tax levies.
''The state is telling the communities that if they want quality library services, they're going to need to raise funds locally,'' Finan said.
Locally, the library fund accounts for between 70 and 90 to 92 percent of library budgets. Two districts Warren-Trumbull County and Newton Falls have tax levies that generate money. About a third of Ohio's libraries have a property tax levy on which to rely.
In the case of Newton Falls, the $100,000 generated a year covers the library's book budget, director Kerry McCrone said. The levy is about 6 percent of the library's income. The rest comes from the state.
''It helps us greatly, but to stand alone on would not be able to carry us,'' McCrone said.
In Mahohing County, the system already is facing a $1.9 million shortfall because state allocations are down. If the cuts are approved, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County would lose about $3.5 million in the next two years.
The result would be the system would be forced to close most branches. An analysis of the system's budget shows it would be able to operate the main library and two of the branches in Boardman, Austintown or Poland.
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escaped
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06-23-09 5:41 PM
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pahootaman the only library in Ohio that I know of that is funded "primarily" with property taxes is Worthington (that is not an area hurting from foreclosures and a lack of new construction) and they get about 50% of their operating funds from local property taxes. All libraries get money from the State Public Library Fund... that is the purpose of the fund. Most property tax levies came about because the state as been cutting library funding since 2001. The point is, this is not about property taxes, this is about total revenue already being reduced and our "education" governor being willing to cut out libraries instead of red tape, over-paid bureaucrats, and special-interest enriching programs. You and I have never discussed this issue before, so I don't know what you're ranting about with your personal attacks.
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pahootaman
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06-23-09 5:19 PM
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escaped, before you twist my comment any more into something almost incompresable, let me simplify my statement. All I'm saying is that libraries that are funded primarly via property taxes are more than likely hurting more than libraries that arent in this down economy. I never mentioned that they should close or we should burn them down and I really don't understand your comment about home entertainment access (your rant went into a non-sequitor). THEN I asked if these libraries received any funding of any kind thru the Library fund. If that fund is cut, then these smaller rual libraries are SOL; I'm trying to illuminate to that fact, something the Trib failed to investigate. I've had run-ins with you before on these comments, you take what I say out of context, then go on a moral crusade for god knows what reason. I don't even think you read my comments. I'm all for varying opinion, but when you attack commentors without reading what they wrote, your making youself look dumb.
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escaped
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06-23-09 3:39 PM
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Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest. - Lady Bird Johnson
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escaped
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06-23-09 3:14 PM
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pahootaman, what part don't you understand. 70% of the libraries in the state of Ohio have no other funding except through the state;s Public Library Fund - which is 2.2% of the state's general revenue. There is no property tax on the local level. Most of these libraries serve small rural communities where people do not have the luxury of home internet access, Barnes & Nobles and Blockbuster Video. They depend on their local libraries to make these things available to them. Are you saying that these local communities should not have libraries if they can not afford to sustain them through property taxes??
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escaped
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06-23-09 3:10 PM
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BobCvengros our local schools are not open during the summer, evenings, weekends etc for the general public to just waltz in and use the computers. Let's see you try to walk in and use their computers... see what happens. Get off of your rump and take a ride down to your local library and see what is going on. Libraries have nothing to do with property taxes unless you voted one in for them and even if you did, it is a minuscule percentage of their budget - which comes from the STATE general revenue. Libraries are already hurting because of the downfall in state revenue in this economy. Strickland wants to wash his hands of them entirely. Maybe that's the sort of society you want to live in, but not me.
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pahootaman
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06-23-09 2:35 PM
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BobCvengros, every poli sci professor I had through college said that No Child Left Behind was just a unfunded mandate in the guise of real educational reform. Yes, more kids graduated, but that's because cirruculum had to be dumbed down to the point that the dumbest kid could pass any test thrown his way.
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speedy50
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06-23-09 1:19 PM
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I agree with Bob. The cuts are inevitable. The local libraries need to determine what hours are most used. They may have to close branches entirely or on a rotating basis, moving personnel from one location to another. The bookmobile will have to be garaged. Maybe they could find unpaid volunteers to do jobs formerly done by paid staff so they can extend hours or locations. We need to think beyond our own experience.
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Tankgirl
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06-23-09 1:10 PM
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Bob, I'm not sure what you mean by online? Are we talking books online? The WTCPL has many programs online. You can learn a new language or search other book databases for information that you need.
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BobCvengros
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06-23-09 12:40 PM
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escaped: Our local schools have computers. Those seeking employment and research can sign in and look all they want. This is why we pay a mandatory "property tax". Had you reaD my comment throughly you will note that I stated that "Gov. Strikeout, will get his way". This will happen no matter what we say, so lets take the appropriate action now to get prepared and as the "No Child Left Behind" program did not work, lets make the "Library Program" work, work for us and our children.
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pahootaman
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06-23-09 12:35 PM
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I guess since my comment isn't broad sweeping, it's invalid? 1/3 is bigger than 30% (as you put it), that's a lot of local libraries being funded via property tax. It's widely known that property tax funding favors affluent communities over poorer communities, thus creating a disparity in the quality of education. Seeing that a third of Ohio libraries are funded this way, I find it difficult to think of ways for smaller libraries in poorer communites to operate. What the article doesn't mention is if these libraries (funded via property tax) are subsidized by the Library fund in any part.
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escaped
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06-23-09 12:11 PM
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BobCvengros do you have any idea how many people do not have access to internet at home? How many can't afford it and rely on their library? How many people use the library to job hunt on line? How many children benefit from Summer Reading programs? How many people can't afford to buy books and movies and so borrow them for free from the library? The Internet can't replace everything.... and do we really want it to? Pahootaman, 70% of the libraries in Ohio have no local property tax levy, so I don't know what you are talking about.
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onewhoknows
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06-23-09 11:53 AM
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For those of you who want to make your voice heard call the Gov let him know he will be out of work next election.Until we the people stand up they will do what they want. Power to the people Call 614-466-3555. Next he will close Schools.
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truthhurts
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06-23-09 10:22 AM
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People are loosing touch with EVERY aspect in basic HUMANITY. Basic human contct and interaction being replaced with text affection, and e-mails. Never mind that the library is host to a number of enrichment programs for our severly dummed down American youth (who need all the enrichment they can handle), just read the info off the internet...in your own house..in the privacy of your own bubble. And we wonder why our kids are increasingly heartless, cold, and do crazy stuff like shoot up their school. As odd as it may seem to those of us who blog..there ARE still in 2009 a significant number of individuals who do not have a home computer or the internet. So I guess they are just to poor to benifit from the luxury of books and the internet, huh. Knowlede is wasted on the poor anyway, right?
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BobCvengros
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06-23-09 9:48 AM
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Lets not gloss over the comment by OldManGrump. He does raise something of interest. It doesn't appear that we are going to stop Gov. Strikeout from his plans. Why cant our local library be posted on line? During the school year our library is used mostly on weekends by our children. Adults could use this in the early moring hours and our children in the afternoon. Before you critize, I am not advocating closing the library, yes I do have my library card. However if "Strikeout"gets his way, (which he will), we have to be prepared. Lets keep an open mind about this.
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BobCvengros
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06-23-09 9:17 AM
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Gov. Strickout does it again. He will cut what is important due to the fact that he does not use public libraries. He wont quit until he bleeds every last penny from Ohioans, the very people that he is to represent. Gov. Strikeout, this is not a steeping stone for your political gain. Go back to Washington, but I doubt that you would get re-elected. It is a fact that Senator and Congressman make lousy Presidents, and it is being proven again. Why do you think Strikeout left Washington for Ohio. His "platform" would be about how he made tough decisions in Ohio to save the State. The answer is knocking on his door everyday and he refuses to answer.
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pahootaman
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06-23-09 9:07 AM
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Just another reason why the property tax model is invalid.
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fairness
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06-23-09 8:50 AM
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OldManGrump proves once again he is king of idiots.
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turi57
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06-23-09 8:16 AM
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TO SAVE THE OHIO LIBRARIES...DON'T BUY THOSE FOREIGN RUST BOXES THAT DESTROY OUR TAX BASE THAT PAYS FOR OUR LIBRARIES!!!!!!!!
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onewhoknows
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06-23-09 7:50 AM
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To save Ohio's libraries, please do the following: * Call the Governor's office at 614-466-3555 * Call your local state representative * Call your state senator
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escaped
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06-23-09 6:40 AM
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OMG you have truly proved how ignorant you are with that statement. When was the last time you read a book?
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OldManGrump2
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06-23-09 5:55 AM
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Who cares about the libraries? They are a thing of the past. The internet has taken over their responsibilities in spades.
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