Mahoning County voters have a stake in libraries

In the midst of an economic downturn, a public library becomes all the more important to a community’s intellectual well-being and quality of life. As discretionary spending is reduced — buying books, CDs and renting videos become luxuries for many families — the services offered by a library provide the greatest value for the dollar.

So when it is revealed that over 1 million people visited the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system in 2008. there is little surprise. Indeed, the figure for this year should be comparable, if not greater. There are other numbers that put in perspective the important role libraries are playing these days: From 1970 to 2008, the number of people living in Mahoning County declined — the 2010 national population census will show a further reduction — yet lending of books, CDs and the like went up 23 percent. The number of users increased by 30 percent and the Web site traffic skyrocketed 293 percent.

And yet, there is no guarantee that the 1-mill renewal — to repeat, renewal — levy that will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot in Mahoning County will pass. Taxpayers are understandably reluctant to part with their money now, even if they’ve been doing so for quite some time.

However, depriving the library system of the $3.07 million a year that the 1 mill generates would be a mistake of monumental proportions. Why? Because there already are fiscal challenges that have required a top-to-bottom review of the system.

The state of Ohio has slashed funding for the Mahoning County Public Library to the tune of $1,566,579. In addition, the system has lost more than $130,000 in interest income. But the bad news doesn’t end there. The state’s biennium budget, which had been balanced before the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a key element was not legal, faces new turmoil.

Gaping hole

Gov. Ted Strickland, moving quickly to fill a $851 million hole created by the court’s blocking the placement of slot machines in the horse-racing tracks, has recommended postponing the last phase of the income tax reduction,

However, the General Assembly must agree to Democrat Strickland’s recommendation. If the Republican controlled Senate refuses to go along, then it won’t only be primary and secondary education that will be hit hard financially. Other cuts will have to be made, and that means libraries could be on the chopping block — again.

The effects of the initial $1.5 million state allocation cut are already evident. In August, the library board approved a 15 percent reduction in library hours. The result: the loss of about one day a week of library service at each branch. The cumulative effect: 113 hours a week in lost library service across the main library and its 15 branches.

To personalize the county-wide 1-mill renewal levy, the owner of a $100,000 home pays $26.95 a year. While every penny counts in these tumultuous economic times, the services provided by the library system and the role libraries play in the well-being of the community are priceless.

Taxpayers are getting a good deal.

Finally, it is important to point out that the board had initially wanted a 1.7-mill levy. However, the county commissioners, who have the authority to place levies on the ballot, believed that the renewal of a 1-mill was more appropriate in the current economic climate.

The board agreed.

Given that, we urge a yes vote on the issue.