You’re not in Texas anymore

You’re not in Texas anymore

EDITOR:

The assertions in an Aug. 9 letter to the editor about Mahoning County libraries are so inaccurate that they cannot go by without correction.

The writer attempts to draw a comparison between her former residence, Irving, Texas, and Mahoning County, in its number of libraries, and offers criticism based on that comparison. It is important to note that Irving, Texas, and Mahoning County, Ohio, are so very different by their nature that it’s an apples and oranges comparison. Irving is a densely populated city, smaller in size than our county. Mahoning County libraries have a responsibility to serve an area that is over six times larger. Providing service in Mahoning County with only three libraries, as the city of Irving does, would be doing our communities a disservice.

The letter suggests poor planning and fiscal irresponsibility, but Mahoning County’s library system is actually known to excel in both planning and financial responsibility. It is a public institution that operates within its means. It is debt free and audits by the state are consistently clean and solid.

We would like Mahoning County residents to know: it’s your library and it has grown over the past decade to better serve your community. Your library’s long-range planning encompasses research on facilities, demographics, consumer and industry trends, the fiscal environment, and a study of the needs and wants of the community that includes ample public input. Details of your Library’s strategic plan are online at: www.library2011.org/

The results speak for themselves. Despite a declining population, Mahoning County today has 30 percent more library users than it did in 2000 and use has increased by 43 percent. Over the past 20 years, half of the libraries in the county have been updated and improved. Your Library has no debt and operates with a budget that is nearly the same as it had in 2000. You don’t get those kinds of results without solid planning and follow-though.

Today, your library system is experiencing the same unexpected economic decline that is rocking the nation. State funding to libraries comes from tax receipts. In this economic climate, fewer people are working and purchasing goods, which means fewer tax receipts. Add to that a state budget which cuts library funds even further.

Your Library is weathering the storm of this economy with careful planning and prudent use of funds. We are grateful for our staff and patrons, who have demonstrated their confidence in this library system with their continued support. The dramatic losses in revenue will have an ongoing impact and, as is the practice, those managing your library system will continue to plan carefully and manage funds with prudence.

JANET S. LOEW

Library Communications/Public Relations Director

Youngstown