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Cincinnatians Speak Out against State Budget CutsHundreds of library supporters gathered in Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati at noon April 20 to try to influence Ohio senators to restore funding cut to public libraries in the state. The rally was organized by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, which stands to lose $2.5 million next year if the budget passed by the Ohio House is finalized in June.“We’re not asking for an increase,” PLCHC Executive Director Kimber Fender said in the April 21 Cincinnati Post. “We’re just saying, please don’t cut us further. We’ve already taken a 9.5% cut.” The rally included a forum for speakers to share stories about the vital role the library plays in their lives. “It’s hard to believe that in the information age, financial support for libraries would even be an issue,” said Cincinnati public school teacher Carla Makela. “At a time when we have CVS, Krogers, ATMs, and restaurants available to us almost 24–7, it’s almost uncivilized to be proposing less access to libraries.” Trustees voted in mid-April to close the downtown facility Sundays beginning in August and eliminate 25 staff positions, measures they estimate will save the library some $1.4 million a year. But the administration is considering further options, including the consolidation of 12 branches with reduced hours as well as a tax levy. County Auditor Dusty Rhodes told the Post that the library’s fiscal management was impressive. “I feel confident in saying that they’re probably at the top of institutions that get government money as far as how they use their money,” he added. The library plans to share videotapes and photos of the rally with state legislators at the Ohio Library Council’s Legislative Day April 27 in Columbus. Posted April 22, 2005. |
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