SAVE OHIO LIBRARIES

There is a very scary situation brewing among all Ohio libraries. I went to work last night (I work only one night a week) to find signs posted everywhere and bookmarks being pasted out about cuts that are trying to be pasted by Ohio's governor Ted Strickland. The libraries in Ohio have already had a 20% budget cut that took effect in January. But Governor Strickland is now proposing an additional 30% cut making a total of 50%!!! These cuts will hurt all the libraries. I have been told that one local branch currently has only enough in the their budget to pay for the Director and two other staff members! Our branch has roughly 20 or less staff members. I know that my position will be the first to be cut if this gets passed. I am only a substitute, I'm expendable and I can except that. What I can not except is other staff members being cut and the library facing cutting their hours and materials because of such a drastic cut.

In this time with our economy the way that it is, the library is being used more than ever! Our branch offers so many DVD, books, programs, services, and computer access that we are always busy. We have people from several surrounding counties drive to our branch because it is such a great library. We have been rated the #1 library across the US 2 years in a row for a town of our size. What will happen to us if the bill gets passed? This is a very scary thing. So for all of my fellow Ohio bloggers...I am asking if you could join me in fighting this bill. I have listed a site setup for saving our libraries as well as a list of links of those to contact to stop this. This is URGENT!!! We only have until July 1st! That is only 6 days away. Emails and calls are the only thing that is going to stop this. PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR LIBRARIES.


http://saveohiolibraries.com/

Local Officials:

Governor Strickland
Phone - 614...
Fax - 614-466-9354
Email - Click this link to email the Governor


Columbiana County

Representative Linda Bolon
Phone - 614...
Fax - 614-719-6971
Email - district01@ohr.state.oh.us

Senator Jason Wilson
Phone - 614...
Email - senatorwilson@maild.sen.state.oh.us


Mahoning County

Representative Ronald Gerberry
Phone - 614-466-6107
Fax - 614-719-3959
Email - district59@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Robert Hagan
Phone - 614-466-9435
Fax - 614-719-3960
Email - district60@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Mark Okey
Phone - 614-466-1464
Fax - 614-719-3961
Email - district61@ohr.state.oh.us

Senator Joseph Schiavoni
Phone - 614-466-8285
Email - sd33@maild.sen.state.oh.us