Governor proposing more than $100,000,000 in cuts to Ohio libraries.
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(Columbus) - A rally is set this morning at the Cleveland Public Library's main branch downtown to protest proposed state funding cuts. Director Felton Thomas with the CPL says those proposed cuts would be disastrous.
Ohio libraries are not being quiet about their opposition to Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to cut their already dwindling state funding by more than $100 million.
Libraries say they'll be forced to close branches, reduce hours and make other cutbacks, so they're launching campaigns urging their patrons to complain to state lawmakers.
The Ohio Library Council says the proposed loss of state money comes at a time of increased demand for library services, particularly as people who've been laid off use library resources to look for work.
A spokeswoman for the governor says the state must cut spending because it doesn't have enough money.
Thomas says they would need to reduce hours of operations at facilities throughout the city and possibly even close a branch or two.
He says staffing cuts would likely take place if the governor’s plans become reality. Thomas says not only do the libraries benefit students but he says many out of work or under employed citizens use library computers to try and find work.
Meantime, Cuyahoga County Public Library Board President Darlene Evens McCoy says they have already been trying to deal with $5 million worth of funding cuts, and she says these further reductions would decimate public library service in Ohio.
(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press and Clear Channel. All rights reserved.)
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