Library Funding Uncertain

Update, Tuesday, June 30: Budget negotiations are in a stalemate over the issue of slot machines. We do not know what will happen with library funding. An interim budget running through July 7 has been approved in order to keep the state operating until a budget can be finalized. A second budget extension (through July 14) will be voted on Thursday.

Thank You! We would like to thank all of you for your incredible level of support. The governor and the General Assembly have received an unprecedented number of calls and emails in support of library funding. We also wish to thank State Representative Mike Moran of District 42 and Senator Kevin Coughlin, who are supporters of restoring the Public Library Fund.

The Governor has issued this letter in response to this outpouring of support, sticking with his original plan to cut library funding in half.

The Ohio Library Council has issued this response (PDF).

Effect on Our Library

If the governor's proposed 50% reduction takes effect, it will have an immediate, direct, and catastrophic effect on the Cuyahoga Falls Library. We will have to cut hours, programs, books, and DVDs. Every service the library offers will have to be slashed.

Beacon Journal Editorial
Here is a link to the Akron Beacon Journal editorial "Endgame at the Statehouse: The shortsighted strategy of slashing libraries for saving"

Plain Dealer Editorial
The Plain Dealer published an editorial entitled "Spare libraries the budget ax" - you can read it online right now.

Save Our Library on Facebook
If you're on Facebook, you can leave a comment on Governor Strickland's page, and join the two groups Save the Cuyahoga Falls Library and Save Ohio Libraries.

For more information, see:

• Save Ohio Libraries.com
• Library Journal.com