Fri Feb 03 2012
by Mike Lesko
Stow Sentry Associate Editor
As the Hudson library rushed to prepare for looming state cuts, two area state legislators joined in opposing Gov. Ted Strickland's budget proposal.
State Rep. Mike Moran (D-Hudson) said he believes Ohio public libraries "have already shared more than enough of the burden during this economic downturn."
"So I am surprised that so many additional cuts are being proposed for services that so many people rely upon and support," said Moran, who previously served as Hudson's Council president.
"I don't agree with adding any library cuts to the state budget," Moran said.
There needs to be more sharing of the economic burden throughout many areas of the state, he said June 24.
Moran spoke out after Strickland's proposed $2.4 billion cut in state spending was announced. The proposal would include more than $200 million in cuts for Ohio's 251 library systems in the next two years.
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) also said he opposes Strickland's library funding cuts.
"We have, over the years, built up one of the most respected library systems in the country ...," he said. "There's a lot of money that we do need to find and that we do need to cut in state government, but I think this is one area that ought to be left alone.
"It really doesn't generate a whole lot of money in the big picture of things for us," Coughlin continued, "and it will inflict a lot of harm in our community and the ability of our libraries to perform their services for people."
When Moran heard the news, he said he immediately contacted public library directors in his areas, including E. Leslie Polott of the Hudson Library and Historical Society.
"I wanted to let them know the value that I place on libraries," Moran said. "I know they have already made cuts.
"I will work to prevent further cuts from occurring to our libraries," he said. "Libraries are a great resource to our communities. People are looking at the library to find jobs."
Moran said he is "hopeful that we have a good chance of preventing these cuts, but I am realistic in saying we have a long way to go."
"I know people enjoy the libraries," he said. "My two daughters are enrolled in a reading program at the Hudson library.
"I definitely see the libraries as being very important for our communities," he added.
Library finance committee meets
Meanwhile, the Hudson library's finance committee had an emergency meeting June 24 to discuss options if the cuts are imposed.
While it made no decisions, the committee discussed cutting back on library hours -- which Polott said could include closing on weekends. Other possibilities include re-negotiating contracts with vendors and cutting back on services, although specific cuts were not proposed.
The committee also considered sending out form letters to patrons that they could send to legislators.
Polott, who attended a "Save Ohio Libraries" rally in Cleveland earlier that day, said "no one was aware" that Strickland would propose such large cuts to library funding.
Polott said while she was aware some cuts would probably be made, the depth of the proposed cuts "has come out of left field."
The library was preparing for about a 20 percent reduction in state funding, but the proposed cuts would mean a 50 percent loss in state funding -- between $450,000 and $500,000 -- according to Hudson Library Fiscal Officer Dee Aiken.
If a 50 percent cut is made, "the community will feel it," Polott said.
The library staff will look "at every line item" for places to cut, she added.
"This could just be the tip of the iceberg," she said. "We could be dealing with this issue for a long time."
The Hudson library receives about $1.1 million a year in state funding, about 40 percent of its revenue, Polott said.
(Editor's Note: Reporters Tim Troglen and Ellin Walsh contributed to this story.)
E-mail: mlesko@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3917
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