Dear Library Friends and Patrons,

As you have probably heard on the news, Governor Strickland has proposed a last minute change to the State Budget: he proposes to cut funding for Ohio's Libraries by an additional $100 million dollars a year for the next two years.

Public libraries are a vital lifeline to job hunting information, education, and family fun in a down economy.  Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library receives approximately 50% of its funding from the State of Ohio.  This funding rises and falls with the State's income, and funding for libraries has already fallen dramatically in the current recession. 

Under the Governor's proposal, the funding for Ohio's libraries would drop to nearly half of 2008 levels.  If the Governor's new cut became permanent, it would devastate the services we provide to children, teens, adults, and seniors throughout our service district.

About 30% of Ohio's public libraries have local property tax levies that supplement the state funding. Willoughby-Eastlake is one of those Libraries. Even with this, the Governor's proposed drastic cuts will mean substantial reductions in hours, staffing, materials and services that our library can offer. 

You can help us protect the funding that will keep us doing what we do best -- serving you -- by contacting your representatives and the Governor's office by phone and email this week to let them know how you feel about the Governor's proposal: the decision on this proposal will be made before July first.

We need to act now to let our legislators know how important the library is to our everyday lives.

Please contact:

Governor Ted Strickland
Phone: (614) 466-3555
Fax: (614) 644-4357 (Fax)
http://governor.ohio.gov and click “contact”

Representative Lorraine M. Fende
Phone: (614) 466-7251
Fax: (614) 719-3962
Email: district62@ohr.state.oh.us

Senator Timothy J. Grendell
Phone: (614) 644-7718
Email: SD18@senate.state.oh.us

On behalf of the entire Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library family, thank you for your help and support.

Lisa Fiorello, President
Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library Board of Trustees

Kathy Dugan, Director
Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library

For more information visit this site: http://saveohiolibraries.com/