The Governor proposes huge cuts in state library spending. As Ohio State Senator Randy Gardner noted in a WTOL webchat, the 2.2% from the general fund was agreed upon in 2007. This is about honoring a commitment, not partaking in a budget catfight. The nearly 50% cut in funding for libraries is contrasted with the not-quite 20% cut in state funds predicted over the next two fiscal years. It sets an ugly precedent for the future. Will libraries be expected to take a disproportionate hit for every budget shortfall? We hope not.

In addition, we are cutting funds while swamped with business: our circulation has increased by double digits. Appointments for Retooling Your Life are booked well into July. Any programs dealing with financial aid, grants or employment are overflowing. Reference questions in many agencies reflect the need for employment and financial information. It is counterintuitive to deeply cut the resources of a social service agency when the need is so evident.

Now is the time as library employees, but also as citizens, to tell Columbus that they must not balance the budget on the backs of the public libraries. Please contact the governor or your state senator or representative today and tell them they can’t cut back our urgent work.

Look at the great page marketing has created at our website, and if you haven’t already, follow those links to express yourself. Encourage every man, woman, child, and household pet with an e-mail address to tell our leaders the same thing. Think of all the patron groups that you have worked with, or kept in touch. Could you e-mail them? Can you contact teachers that are using our summer school programs, or who have used our other programs through the year?

Time is of the essence: the budget must be passed by June 30th. It’s important that the Governor and legislators are contacted immediately. We are in the business of making contact with and helping the public. Now we need the public to help us, and for us to help ourselves. Please make whatever contacts you can to save our libraries.

Your APLE Officers

Please contact your State Legislators and let them know how devasting this cut would be to your local library.

Here is a link to the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library site with information on the Budget Crisis and an easy way to contact your State Legislators.

Click here

Meetings are held in the Sanger Branch Meeting Room at 6 p.m.

Email notices will be sent if a meeting is called.