On Friday, June 19, Governor Strickland proposed a further cut to state funding for public libraries of 30% ($227.3 million in fiscal years 2010 and 2011) as part of his plan to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that must be balanced by the Ohio General Assembly's Conference Committee by June 30. This cut is in addition to the 20% reduction in funding that libraries are already facing because their funding comes from 2.22% of the state’s declining General Revenue Fund.

This will mean a  50% cut in funding for many of Ohio's public libraries including Alexandria’s. Libraries could close and will face significant reductions in operations as a result of the Governor's proposal—beginning July 1. With some 70% of the state's 251 public libraries relying solely on state funding to fund their operations, the reduction in funding will mean that many will close branches or drastically reduce hours and services.

Ohio's public libraries offer CRITICAL services to those looking for jobs and operating small businesses. Public libraries are an integral part of education, which Governor Strickland says is critical to the state's economic recovery. But it is unlikely that many of Ohio's public library systems, especially those like the Alexandria Public Library without local levies, can remain open with these proposed cuts. Consequently, the Library Board would need to drastically reduce services, materials and hours. What will our library be able to provide with HALF the funding? Half the hours? Half the books, CD’s or DVD’s? Half a story time, half a computer?

HOW CAN I HELP? Contact your legislators BEFORE the budget is finalized on JUNE 30!

Let your state legislators and the governor know what your library means to you! Call or email your elected officials:

• Governor Ted Strickland, phone: 614-466-3555;
  fax: 614.466.9354 or contact online

State Senators

• Senator Bill Harris, President of the Senate:
  614.466.8086 or SD19@ohr.state.oh.us
• Senator John Carey, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee: 614.466.8156 or  SD17@ohr.state.oh.us.
• Senator Tim Schaffer, 31st District:
  614.466.5838 or SD31@senate.state.oh.us

State Representatives

• Speaker of the House Armond Budish
  phone: 614.466.5441; fax: 614.719.0008;
  email: district08@ohr.state.oh.us
• JRepresentative Jay Hottinger, 71st District
  phone: 614.466.1482; fax: 614.719.3971;
  email: SD71@ohr.state.oh.us

Senate Conference Committee

• Dale Miller, phone: 614.466.5123; email: SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us
• John Carey, phone: 614.466.8156; email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us
• Mark Wagoner, phone: 614.466.8060; email: SD02@senate.state.oh.us

Spread the word! After contacting your legislators, help us spread the word to your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Ohio libraries are in jeopardy!

For additional information on how this impacts the Library, email or Director Denise Shedloski at 740.924.3561.