Libraries look at cutting costs
AKRON (AP) — The tight state budget means less money for Ohio libraries, which are looking at everything from shutdowns to buying fewer books to close budget gaps.
The Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library is debating whether to close its Northside branch as a result of additional cuts to libraries in the budget enacted Friday.
The Chillicothe library system has already has reduced staff hours, curtailed spending on new books, CDs and DVDs and eliminated Sunday hours at the main library.
Library board member Queen Lester opposes closing the branch library, saying it’s not wise to do something so drastic when the economy should turn around.
“We worked too hard to get that library, to get it paid for and get it opened,” Lester said.
The Massillon library system in Northeast Ohio plans to close for a week next month.
The Akron-Summit County Public Library won’t fill some positions and will reduce purchases of books and DVDs by 15 percent.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library, regularly ranked as the nation’s top big-city library system, is urging people to look at ways to donate to the library to help.
Ohio libraries have traditionally been well-funded because they receive a portion of state tax revenue.
But that income has plummeted because of the economy this year, and on top of that, the new state budget cuts library funding about 11 percent each of the next two years.
The combined effect of declining state tax revenue and the budget cut mean a drop of about 30 percent in each of the next two years, said Lynda Murray, director of government relations and legal services with the Ohio Library Council.
Cuts in hours and staff come at a time when more people are using libraries to find jobs or just to enjoy a free activity during tough times, said Allen Nichols, director of the Wadsworth Public Library in Northeast Ohio.
Libraries faced an even bigger cut under an earlier budget proposal that generated angry letters to Gov. Ted Strickland and well- organized opposition by libraries, including rallies.