Public library earns support of county voters

Public library earns voter support

Public libraries in Ohio are providing even more services to even more of our citizens in these tough economic times. Everywhere, people are turning to librarians and library tools such as the Internet to help them find jobs, file unemployment claims, develop resum s, do research to write just the right employment cover letter, and help their children with early reading skills. The job of libraries doesn’t change in hard times; it just becomes more important.

During the last eight years, state funding to public libraries has eroded – in 2009, public libraries lost more that $70 million. Despite that, libraries around Ohio are working hard to reinvent themselves and meet the demands of our citizens.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County provides critical services to people of all ages. For just over a dollar a week voters can vote yes on the library’s ballot issue and continue to provide these necessary and growing services. I urge you to support your community by supporting your public library.

Lynda Murray, Ohio Library Council

Columbus

Why are Delphi retirees special?

I have followed the plight of the Delphi retirees suit for the reinstatement of their full benefits over the past months, and I’m wondering why these people feel that they have the right to have their benefits given back to them?

I’m a steelworker, and when the steel industry folded in the late ’70s and early ’80s, we got our pensions at about half value from the PBGC. If Delphi retirees feel they should get theirs, then every steelworker should get their full pensions also. What is right is right.

Jim Eidel, Youngstown