Library in a bind after loss of $335K

By Katie Seminara

When fall rolls around, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County may need to cut the number of locations or staff hours.

YOUNGSTOWN — Despite a recent purchase of land and the openings of two new branches, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is working with a tight budget.

Since adopting its budget in January, the library suffered a loss of $335,000, and that number could increase to $400,000 by the end of the year, said library Director Carlton Sears.

The library is focusing on saving, but “it’s hard to make money when your business model is giving things away,” Sears said.

Public libraries in Mahoning County are funded by a portion of state tax revenue, as well as local levy funds. Since the start of the decade, the library lost about $2 million due to state funding deterioration, he said.

Library funding from the state is being threatened even more because of a budget proposal that will divert an additional $5 million in 2010 and 2011 to pay for two state programs that have been separately funded in the past, Sears said.

The Ohio Public Library Information Network and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are funded through the State Library of Ohio budget, but the proposal would provide them with funds from the Public Library Fund.

The governor’s budget proposal of diverting funds, paired with the current economic situation, could result in the library’s losing more than $700,000, Sears said.

By the fall, the board will have to address what money-saving measure needs to be taken.

“We are going to be facing a decision whether to cut everyone’s hours or reduce the number of locations,” he said.

Cutting back access to library users isn’t the path the library wants to take, because during tough times the need for public libraries is greater.

“We don’t want to curtail access, when people need it most,” Sears said.

The state of the economy has increased library use because people can get many things for free, such as movies, music, and broadband Internet, he said.

Also, many companies require people to apply online for jobs, and some people who need jobs can’t afford internet or have slow dial-up service, said Janet Loew, communications and public relations director.

The two new Youngstown libraries, Newport Branch, Market Street, and East Branch, Early Road, have been meeting the needs of library-goers since opening in early February.

“These places are being very well-received,” said Sears of Newport and East.

“Newport is so busy, we need more people,” he said. “It’s a good problem that’s happening at a bad time.”

The two new libraries and the decision to buy land near the current Canfield Library were planned years before the economy started spiraling.

“Our board operates on strategic plans,” Loew said.

“It wasn’t as if we knew the economy was going to become bad,” she said.

The library has not been left with any debt, because of its planning of projects.

Although the library funding has been cut and faces more cutbacks, the future of the system is still important.

“You have to position yourself so that you can do things in the future,” Sears said, referring to the board of trustees’ decision to purchase the land in Canfield.

The board recently voted to purchase a plot of land for $175,000 at 52 Lisbon St. and had been looking to purchase property near the current branch for some time.

The population has grown in Canfield, and the library is very busy but doesn’t have enough space, Sears said.

There are no official plans to build or expand in Canfield at this time, but purchasing the land allows for projects to take place when the economy improves.

“The future doesn’t stop because of the economy,” Sears said.

Sears and Loew are encouraging library users to visit www.ymc.lib.oh.us and e-mail state legislators to let them know how important public libraries are to the area and to urge legislators not to divert money from the Public Library Fund.