Election Day in Ohio reaped an unprecedented show of library support: Voters in Ohio approved 29 of the 37 library levies placed on ballots by cash-starved public libraries reeling from 11th-hour cuts to state aid for FY2010–12, with one more apparently passing but close enough to require a recount. The impressive display translates into a reprieve for 81% of the library systems that turned to Ohioans in the wake of an 11% loss in state aid. Coupled with declining state-tax revenues, libraries are enduring budget cuts of 20%–25%, the Ohio Library Council explained November 4.
Among the most dramatic victories was the passage with a 72% yes vote of the first-ever millage for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, whose state support has shrunk from $53 million in 2000 to some $38 million in 2009, according to ABC affiliate WCPO-TV, and where an opposition group actively campaigned to defeat the initiative. The 1.0 levy will generate $100 million over five years, costing owners of a $100,000 home about $30 annually and averting the need to close as many as 20 branches and lay off up to 250 staff members. “The Save Our Public Library campaign was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from Library customers and staff, as well as area businesses and organizations,” the library website stated.
Dayton Metro Library was also able to breathe a huge sigh of relief as voters overwhelmingly approved a five-year levy hike of .5 mills as of January 2010. The new 1.75-mill levy will increase local support from $9 million to $13.6 million a year.
Voters also bolstered Ashland Public Library by passing by 61% a 1.0 millage. The victory means the end of a hiring freeze and restoration of service hours and acquisitions funding, library advocates promised.
However, the election has not yet ended for supporters of the Paulding County Carnegie Library, where a cliffhanger 50% yes vote will trigger a recount. Hanging in the balance is a request for a 2.17 millage.
The Ohio Library Council has made full election results available (PDF file) online. In a November 4 press release (PDF file), OLC emphasized the historically “strong partnership between the state [government] and local libraries,” and offered a post-legislative olive branch by acknowledging that “tough economic times in Ohio have required tough decisions in the state budget [and] Ohio libraries appreciate the General Assembly working to try and continue that partnership.”
