June 25, 2009

editorial

Your library needs your help

It’s hard to overstate the importance of a library in a small community. It’s the place where young and old, rich and poor have equal access to the world’s books, music and films, the place villagers meet and greet one another (quietly!) and the place you can get almost all of your questions answered. And there’s so much more: a glance at the News calendar shows that in recent weeks the library was where toddlers heard stories, children were entertained by a juggler, teens studied Aikido and adults learned, among other things, to navigate their pesky computers.

Such a vibrant library is essential in good times; in bad times, it’s even more valuable. When people feel a financial pinch, they can still check out all the books and films they desire. The jobless can use resource materials to seek work, those who can’t afford Internet service can still log online and families can enjoy free activities. Sure enough, library use goes up during economic hard times, and the Yellow Springs library is no exception. According to a recent report to Village Council, villagers in 2008 made more visits, checked out more items and attended more programs than they had the year before. And in 2009, library usage has continued to rise.

So it’s especially unfortunate that Governor Strickland suddenly, at the end of last week, announced that the state would balance its budget on the backs of its libraries. Specifically, he stated that library funding would be cut 30 percent, and this cut is on top of the 20 percent reduction in state funding that libraries experienced this year due to state revenue loss. At the Greene County library system, which receives 55 percent of its funding from the state, that additional cut would seriously affect the system’s ability to do its job. In an interview this week, Greene County Public Library Director Karl Colón said that the library would have no choice, if the cuts go through, but to cut back on hours, programming and possibly staff. In the worst case scenario, branches would close.

The legislature will vote this week on the final state budget, which must be finalized Wednesday, July 1. Villagers who care about maintaining library services should act quickly to contact state leaders by e-mail or phone. Governor Strickland can by reached online at http://governor.ohio.gov (click “contact”) or by phone at 614-466-3555. Senator Chris Widener can be reached at SD10@senate.state.oh.us or via phone at 614-466-3780, and Representative Robert Hackett can be reached at district84@ohr.state.oh.us or 614-466-1470.

—Diane Chiddister