Watch where cuts are made

Watch where cuts are made

EDITOR:

In the first moments after experiencing an injury, we’ve all probably looked at a wound and thought, “uh-oh, that’s gonna hurt soon.” In the same way, some of us have warily watched the economic downturn, waiting for its wave of painful effects to register in our own lives. That day has come for me.

On June 19, Gov. Strickland proposed a number of cuts to balance the 2010 state budget. Among them was a cut in funding of public libraries that the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County predicts will cause the closing of most of its branches. Ouch! I am an unabashed “librariphile”. Like many West Side children, I got my early education at the West Side Branch. I learned more in the stacks there than in my overcrowded elementary school, although visits required making a weekly three-mile round trip by foot or on my little bike.

From that time to this, patrons of that branch are familiar with children at the tables and the computers at this busy library, which is close enough to Volney Rogers, Chaney, and McGuffey schools for classes to walk there. As a teacher, I have realized that for a child of limited means, only Christmas or birthdays can rival the thrill of picking out your own book for free Or sitting in a comfy chair to read or use the computer for free. Free!

Here in Mahoning County we have seen a renaissance of sort in library services, facilities, use, and celebration during the last two decades. That period coincides with changes in library funding initiated by Gov. Celeste in 1983, establishing equity and a steady of revenue for libraries in all Ohio counties by means of the Library and Local Government Support Fund. From 1993 through December 2001, the LLGSF enjoyed increases parallel to economic growth experienced in the state budget. But because the LLGSF is tied to a percentage of the Ohio’s General Revenue Fund, the libraries have faced continuing reductions in funding since the economy began its slide in 2001. In each biennial budget since then, library supporters have fought to keep satisfactory funding.

Governor Strickland has struggled mightily to protect current funding for k-8 and higher education. As it stands, his budget framework has some specific setbacks for technology, gifted, STEM projects, Developmental Disabilities, Youth Services and the administrative budget of the Ohio Department of Education, and that is probably inevitable. Cuts to school funding would be devastating, especially for districts like Austintown and Youngstown, which are depending on state funding to operate.

So library funding will probably be cut. Our own library has some funding from a local levy, unlike 70 percent of libraries in Ohio. That is hopeful. Also there are still choices in any budget, regardless of how small. I call on the library’s board to remember the primary mission of public libraries. When Andrew Carnegie established large numbers of public libraries at the turn of the last century, his idea was to make books available to those without access. If branches are to be closed, then certainly the expensive public relations firm, glossy posters of local celebrities, impressive decorations, and purchases of land for future growth may face the ax as well. We’ll be watching.

PEGGY KERRIGAN PALMA

Youngstown