Library faces state funding cut

by KATHLEEN WILLBOND

News-Tribune editor

Business is booming at the Oberlin Public Library.

That's why it is so hard for library director Darren McDonough to understand why Governor Ted Strickland is considering a 30- percent cut in library funding for each of the next two fiscal years.

The cut would equal about 20 percent of the library's annual funding, McDonough said. But that isn't all the bad financial news the library has had to face over the past three years.

McDonough said the library has already lost 10 percent of its state funding over the past year due to declining state revenue. On top of that, county auditor Mark Stewart's reassessment of property values in Lorain County created a loss of five to 10 percent in property taxes.

"It's been a series of dominoes falling," he said.

The OPL suffered when the county auditor rewrote a formula for distributing state funds locally, McDonough said, more than any other library in the county.

According to Ohio Senator Sue Morano, the state is considering a cut in funding public libraries over the next two years of $112.5 million in fiscal 2010 and $114.8 million for fiscal 2011, saving the state $227.3 million.

According to Ohio law, the state Senate and House must provide a balanced budget for Strickland to sign no later than today, June 30. The details of the budget last week were being deliberated by a committee of six people -- three Ohio senators and three representatives. On Friday, it was learned the lawmakers might vote for an extension of 30 days to complete the state budget.

"A lot of librarians supported Strickland during the election," McDonough said, adding they are now frustrated by the news of possible cuts in funding.

The OPL is funded locally by a five-year 3.25 mill property tax which was renewed in November, 2005, with the .25 mill increase, although it was not set to expire until the end of 2006.

"State funding was starting to erode at that point," McDonough explained. The library board opted to put the levy before voters at the earliest possible date. That levy will expire at the end of 2011. There is a strong chance the library board will ask for increased millage to offset budget cuts, and because another levy -- passed 20 years ago to pay for the library building -- will expire at the end of 2009.

Residents of the city have been paying about 1.14 mills over the past 20 years to pay for the library building purchase and renovation when the library was moved from the Carnegie building on the Oberlin College campus to its present location, a former grocery store.

"The building will be paid for, and that's good news for the community," McDonough said.

In 2006, the OPL received $530,000 in state funding; $507,000 in 2007; $470,000 in 2008; and expected about $414,000 for fiscal 2009. If the new budget is approved, that figure would be reduced to about $342,000. Even worse, in 2010, it would be reduced to $269,000.

The difficult part for library employees, directors and users to understand is that tough economic times have brought about an increase in library use. In fact, last year, the OPL had its busiest year ever; patrons borrowed 317,898 items. This year, McDonough said monthly figures show the library will exceed that number.

"Business is booming. Our goal was 300,000 circulation and we were way over that last year. The foot traffic in here is amazing," he said.

The library took in $1.132 million in 2008 but spent only $1.1 million. The largest expense is salaries -- about $513,000 -- for 26 employees which includes 10 full-time workers. The second largest expense is materials purchases, about $220,000. The cost of books, movies and reference materials has gone up in the past few years as well, McDonough said.

"We have to have a carryover every year; the is the first year it is going to be so tight," he said of the budget.

The library is also responsible for The Bridge, a free community technology facility at 85 S. Main St. which is equipped with computers and provides free usage and classes.

The Bridge does have two full-time employees who are part of the library staff. Cost for the facility is about $150,000 per year, which includes $20,000 a year in rent to CWEA Company LLC of Westlake which owns the building where The Bridge is located.

Most of the computers at The Bridge have been donated from the community, with most coming from Oberlin College. Other computers have also been donated by the Lorain County Joint Vocational School.

Members of the library board met last Thursday evening to talk about the news of impending cuts.

But board president Mary Kirtz-Van Nortwick said there is little the board can do but wait.

"We're keeping a very close watch on what's happening in Columbus," she said, adding the board has taken no action but is preparing for the worst.

"We're hoping the legislature realizes slashing public services is not the best way to balance the budget," she said.

The library board has planned a meeting for Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m. to discuss budget cuts, if the state budget is finalized today.