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Friday, 17 July 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — St. Marys Community Public Library officials say they are a little relieved with the final state budget figures, but are moving forward with a certain amount of caution.
Gov. Ted Strickland’s original proposal would have cut 50 percent of funding to Ohio public libraries to close a hole in the state budget. However that number has now been reduced to 30 percent.
“We have heard the comment several times we dodged the bullet,” Fiscal officer Bob Maurer said. “We didn’t lose 50 percent, but they are still going to reduce us. We just didn’t take the big hit.”
Maurer said the funding cut will result in the loss of around $24,000 for the rest of 2009, $48,000 for the 2010 year and $24,000 in 2011.
“Those are rough estimates,” Maurer said. “It’s hard to tell because they are on a fiscal year and we are on a calendar year.”
He said board members will continue to look at options for the St. Marys Community Public Library and the steps that will be taken next.
“We will probably have to look at it (a levy),” Maurer said.
“We are discussing it to see how we can handle everything. We have to be working on some other things here because even if we did put a levy on the ballot in the fall, nothing would happen until January.”
Library Director Sue Pittman also said she will be discussing funding options the library has with the board.
“We will probably be having a finance or personnel meeting before the next board meeting,” Pittman said.
Pittman said while the library still took a cut, it was better than what was originally proposed by Strickland.
“I think we have to be pleased with a 30 percent rather than 50 percent,” Pittman said.
“From that aspect it is a relief. We have to thank all of those people, all the citizens and library users in the state of Ohio who wrote to their senators and representatives with a human cry of ‘Please don’t close our libraries.’”
Pittman also added the library received a $39,200 state check for the month of July.
“That will help meet the bottom line for this month,” Pittman said.
She emphasized funds for books and materials will continue to be used from donations only.
“Money for books and materials will come from donations only this year,” Pittman said. “And of course we had our adopt-a-magazine program where people really stepped up. We will probably be doing some other promos in order to see if more people will come forth to assist with the purchasing of books.”
Pittman expressed her appreciation of residents and those involved with the Ohio Public Library Council.
“Thanks to the Ohio Library Council for the numerous hours of work they have put in to assist us and to defend us with the budget in Columbus,” Pittman said. “We are also thankful to the community for coming out and supporting us.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 September 2009 )
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