Date: June 23rd 2009

PLEASE HELP YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES! Public libraries in Ohio are funded primarily through the Public Library Fund (PLF), which receives a 2.2% of the state’s tax revenue. Since 2001, public library funding has been on the decline. As a result of the current downturn in the economy and decreasing state revenues, public libraries are currently experiencing a drop in funding from the PLF estimated at 20% or more as compared to 2008. At a news conference on Friday, June 19, the Governor proposed an additional cut in the PLF of $112.5 million in fiscal year 2010 and $114.8 million in 2011 as part of his “framework” to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that must be balanced by Ohio General Assembly’s Conference Committee by June 30. This will mean a more than 50% cut in funding for many of Ohio’s public libraries, including Wagnalls Memorial Library. You can help by immediately letting your state representative, Gerald Stebelton, and state senator, Tim Schaffer, know how much this cut will hurt our libraries. Gerald Stebelton, 77 S. High St., 10th Floor Room, Columbus, Oh 43215-6111 Phone: (614) 466-8100, Email: district05@ohr.state.oh.us Tim Schaffer, Senate Building, #142, First Floor, Columbus, Oh 43215 Phone: (614) 466-5838, Email: SD31@senate.state.oh.us Ted Strickland, Governor's Office, Riffe Center, 30th Floor, 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6108 Phone: (614) 466-3555 Fax: (614) 466-9354 Email: sam.auld@governor.ohio.gov http://saveohiolibraries.com/