In Final Ohio Budget, Libraries Will Lose Up to 30% of State Support
Loss of $84.3 million, rather than $227.3 million; still, advocates thanked
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 7/15/2009
- Expected PL cuts to total 30 percent
- Tax revenues already down 20 percent
- Public Library Fund reduced to 1.97 percent
Two weeks into the new fiscal year, Ohio lawmakers have finalized the state's two-year budget and, while libraries won't suffer as huge a hit as proposed, the consequences will be painful, with services and programs limited at many libraries.
"The budget cuts, combined with the precipitous drop in the PLF [Public Library Fund] in the first six months of this year as a result of declining state tax revenues, will result in library funding dropping as much as 25-30% in 2009 as compared to calendar year 2008," according to the Ohio Library Council (OLC).
The PLF, fed by state tax revenues, supplies the main support for the state's public libraries. It will be cut by $84.3 million for FY2010-11. The cut is significantly less than the $227.3 million cut proposed by Gov. Ted Strickland on June 19, which could have amounted to a nearly 50 percent cut in aid.
Calculating the loss
Ohio libraries had received 2.22 percent of the state's total general tax revenue; now it will be 1.97 percent. Libraries will have to deal with a cut of about 11 percent versus Strickland's proposed 30 percent reduction.
However, because of declining tax revenues, the overall impact of the reduction in the PLF will be much more significant. According to Doug Evans, executive director of the OLC, "depending upon the accuracy of the projections made by the Ohio Department of Taxation, libraries could still be looking at funding reductions that could be as much as 30 percent."
Still, Evans cited the response from librarians and advocates: "We believe the overwhelming groundswell of public support convinced the legislature to reject the Governor's massive cuts, and attempt to preserve library funding as much as possible during this challenging financial situation.”
How libraries will cope
Ohio libraries are adjusting to the final budget numbers, pulling back from worst case scenarios, but still planning on service adjustments. The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County "should be able to make it through this year without additional branch closures or job layoffs," public relations director Amy Banister told a local news channel. However, if a levy ballot fails in November, said Banister, the library will close branches and begin layoffs.
Some libraries weren't ready to share details, but reported that some service cuts were still imminent. According to the Cleveland Public Library's homepage, "Reductions will still be felt in all areas at the Cleveland Public Library-- public services, support services, and library materials."
Similarly, the Cuyahoga County Public Library reported, "some cuts will have to be made in order to balance our budget this year and operate with reduced funding over the next two years. The Board of Library Trustees will begin discussing how to plan for these budget reductions."
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will eliminate Sunday hours. Cuts have already been made in materials, salaries, and hours, according the Youngstown Business Journal. It stands to lose $1.9 million.
Among smaller libraries and less complicated budgets, the predictions were easier to forecast. At the Coshocton Public Library, according to the Coshocton Tribune, the two branches will remain open and the Bookmobile service will continue, but hours will be reduced.
