Cuts to Ohio Library System.............. (Cleveland: 2009, renting, credit card)

[Cosmic]

Am hearing the new budget will cut state funds to the Ohio Library System by $122 million. Are they crazy, this is one of the best library systems in the nation.

Apparently being done with a very short window to oppose it. Maybe 10 - 11 days.

Peeps should be all over the pols about this one. Cut welfare, cut whatever but leave the library system alone. A few million will seem small if your library closes or limits hours. It is a major quality of life issue for many smaller towns / more rural counties.

There are plenty of waste, fraud and abuse areas to find money to cut, the library system is not one of them.

Everybody should on the horn to their senator / representatives / governor and tell them totally unacceptable. If they do, I will vote against all of them next time. For my county it would be a disaster if the library closed, even if they limit its operations. Should be expanding the services, not trying to cut them.

Web search the subject, apparently many bigger cities could totally lose many local branches. This is one of the few operations in the state that is well run, without corruption and performs a vital service. Do not let them mess it up. Plenty of wasteful welfare around my way, get the money there first. Plus the library is also tied into education. Many areas need them open in the evening for kids homework assignments.

[Hey_Hey]

There have got to be cuts somewhere. And to be honest, the library system ranks lower on the priority list than a whole host of things for the average Ohioan. Right or wrong, K-12 education, post-secondary education, and social programs like Medicaid are politically very dangerous to touch because there are so many people who fight for those programs. If you cut K-12 then you're destroying opportunities for our children. If you cut Post-Secondary then you're harming economic development. If you cut Medicaid then you're allowing kids to die. I don't agree with any of those statements necessarily, but that's what is said in the media and politicians see that as dangerous.

[Cosmic]

There is just massive waste in that eduction system. Money is the oil that makes it work, more money does not mean it works better. The money is not spent on the normal kids, so much is siphoned off for lil pet projects having just about zero to do with real education. They love to play games of more money or we cut what will really hurt.

Same with welfare, just massive waste, fraud and abuse. They are all around me. Healthy, young and have zero intention of ever working for a living. Some I know probably cost the tax payer $30 - 50K each family every year and that will never change until it is demanded. Forget the idea of finding a job, they have never looked for one in their life. They are not about to start now.

Do not let them play this game of pick a choice. You get first class library system, miserable eduction system or even more miserable welfare system. Pick two out of the three. It is not difficult to know which to fund. Probably best to start with something that really works. The others are going to have to be streamlined by some fashion in future. Best to start that process now, after all that is where the real money is. The library cuts are not going to save the state, sure will not save the horrible programs that chew up so much of the budget.

There are things worth saving in their best form. The road system, libraries are good examples. Be careful of political games to continue the mess in many of those other programs. Cuts might be useful to finally weed out all the waste, fraud and abuse we have paid for years, years and years.

Doing major cuts in the library system will only make the quality of life worse in the entire state. It will not generate enough money to make squat impact on the overall budget mess. You have to get the money by streamlining and reform where the major line items are. Everything else is a nibble at the edges.

[Griffis]

This is a real shame.

Libraries offer far more than most people realize and can be true centers of the community.

Ohio has long been a jewel in the library field. So many developments in the profession and in library-related technology happened there first.

Here in NY, the state threatened an $18 million cut to libraries, but we lobbied hard and the reduced in to $8 million.

I agree there are other programs that are more important...people have to eat and receive medical care.

But in troubled economic times, library use tends to skyrocket. More people are hoping to save money by renting their books, movies, music, games, etc. free, accessing free information, using the library facilities for meetings, for job searches, for free internet, etc.

Here's hoping the best for the libraries in your great state.

Get busy and let your legislators know this is unacceptable and they need to spread out the budget cuts more equitably!

[NewToCA]

Tough call here, the libraries in Ohio are quite remarkable. I really miss the Ohio libraries now that I am out here in California, the local libraries aren't nearly as nice or extensive as those throughout Ohio.

However, if the libraries aren't reduced, what is the alternative? What would need to be cut to offset the continued funding for libraries? It is easy to claim waste and fraud in state funding of programs, but I find that folks have a much greater time coming up with sufficient specific alternative proposals as to what should be cut and why.

[Donna7]

No way should Ohio's library funding be reduced by 50%!!! That is an OUTRAGE! Cut Medicaid and the professional public assistance moochers. I am SICK and TIRED of seeing able-bodied "looking" people buying hundreds and hundreds of dollars of groceries in 2 and 3 carts while my husband and I have supported our family of 9 for the last 26+ years 100%. Both of us grew in very impoverished status; we both went to college, got our degrees, worked while going to school and raising kids.

The professional welfare mongers and leeches need to get off their a*ses and start working and/or go to school in order to become a productive member of society. God, I remember the lady that tried to run the Cleveland School system a long time ago; she couldn't even get most of the parents to come to school meetings regarding their children during the hours that soap operas were on. Give me a break!!!

P.S. - Same goes for Social Security disability. We went to our local ss office a few months ago to get a social security card replaced (weren't able to do it because a birth certificate isn't ENOUGH for info to get a replacement card - but that's another story), and there were several young people either in their late teens or early 20's, with piercings all over, tatoos and quite overweight. Who in the world is going to hire them? I don't know. But they were there to get social security disability.

My husband and I worked with several ladies that were literally in their 70's and 80's at a restaurant when we were growing up in the late 70's and early 80's. If these ladies worked at that age (and hard, physical work, mind you), how in the hello can these young deadbeats be sitting on their butts collecting public money? Sorry, but there's too many people who abuse the system. This is not about those who have genuine need; this is for the GENERATIONAL moochers.

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Tough call here, the libraries in Ohio are quite remarkable. I really miss the Ohio libraries now that I am out here in California, the local libraries aren't nearly as nice or extensive as those throughout Ohio.

However, if the libraries aren't reduced, what is the alternative? What would need to be cut to offset the continued funding for libraries? It is easy to claim waste and fraud in state funding of programs, but I find that folks have a much greater time coming up with sufficient specific alternative proposals as to what should be cut and why.

It is not difficult to find the waste and abuse. My sister used to be a school nurse. It was not uncommon for them to pay $35K for a wheelchair for a special needs kid. As my sister used to say; "Hell, I would have got him a Lexus instead". The normal kids were always short changed because the money went to waste.

The libraries already had been reduced 20% in the present 2009 budget, they have given up their share already. Already my local library has started to go on shorter hours, if you work for a living, will have virtually no access to the library, it will close at 5 PM, no more evening hours.

In my county, I found out there is a program that will pay off $5K of a credit card, if you are "Needy". Make that "Professional Poor and never will work". If you are laid off or can't work for a reason, you will not qualify for nothing. But if you are a total bum, you qualify for everything including maybe a gas credit card to go to the job you never will have. H,mm you can buy booze, cigarettes and just about anything else on a credit card and pass it back to the taxpayer, seems fair. Could that be cut?

The beauty of the Ohio library system it evened out the difference between rich and poor communities, everybody got excellent libraries. My lil town library puts any of the Boston libraries to shame in the computer services offered. Even fairly run down rust belt type towns have state of the art libraries.

The pols making the decisions could not pour pee out of a boot with the directions on the bottom. They probably will cut the road rest stops on major highways. Many states already have done that. Again something Ohio has some of the best. It will save almost nothing in terms of real money but the impact can be severe, especially if you have a weak bladder on longer trips. And it will be a safety issue.

You can't not put the big ticket items off the table and balance the budget by cutting everything left over, no matter how valuable or useful. Not only does it send the wrong message, there is no limit to most of those other programs. The real problem lies in a view of social engineering that has failed in so many areas. They are so out of touch with the people and any view about how efficient any program is.

Playing a paper game of just looking at dollars to "Be Saved" will be a disaster in so many areas. How much is that going to eventually cost to fix???

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Cosmic

It is not difficult to find the waste and abuse. My sister used to be a school nurse. It was not uncommon for them to pay $35K for a wheelchair for a special needs kid. As my sister used to say; "Hell, I would have got him a Lexus instead". The normal kids were always short changed because the money went to waste.

The libraries already had been reduced 20% in the present 2009 budget, they have given up their share already. Already my local library has started to go on shorter hours, if you work for a living, will have virtually no access to the library, it will close at 5 PM, no more evening hours.

In my county, I found out there is a program that will pay off $5K of a credit card, if you are "Needy". Make that "Professional Poor and never will work". If you are laid off or can't work for a reason, you will not qualify for nothing. But if you are a total bum, you qualify for everything including maybe a gas credit card to go to the job you never will have. H,mm you can buy booze, cigarettes and just about anything else on a credit card and pass it back to the taxpayer, seems fair. Could that be cut?

The beauty of the Ohio library system it evened out the difference between rich and poor communities, everybody got excellent libraries. My lil town library puts any of the Boston libraries to shame in the computer services offered. Even fairly run down rust belt type towns have state of the art libraries.

The pols making the decisions could not pour pee out of a boot with the directions on the bottom. They probably will cut the road rest stops on major highways. Many states already have done that. Again something Ohio has some of the best. It will save almost nothing in terms of real money but the impact can be severe, especially if you have a weak bladder on longer trips. And it will be a safety issue.

You can't not put the big ticket items off the table and balance the budget by cutting everything left over, no matter how valuable or useful. Not only does it send the wrong message, there is no limit to most of those other programs. The real problem lies in a view of social engineering that has failed in so many areas. They are so out of touch with the people and any view about how efficient any program is.

Playing a paper game of just looking at dollars to "Be Saved" will be a disaster in so many areas. How much is that going to eventually cost to fix???

Yes, you are right. Ohio's library system is one of the best in our country. I have been to other states on vacation or on business travel and I almost always visit the local library if I'm there for an extended visit. Some have been good and decent, but when I come home, I am SO grateful for the library system that Ohio has.

I have been one to complain about Ohio, especially the punitive tax policies that have encouraged businesses to relocate, however, I am steadfast and adamant on fighting this 50% budget cut to the state of Ohio's library system. Our library system is indeed an equalizing factor in the socioeconomic variable.

Our local library website has a full page on names and numbers to contact by phone, e-mail, or snail mail; I'm sure that all the libraries do. If anyone wants, I will post the contact information if I'm allowed to do so.

I refuse to let the GOOD things of our state go to pot, while the degenerates who do not take the time to educate and uplift themselves, in spite of resources that are thrown their way, continue to pilfer our state's resources. Sometimes, the good guys have to win. This is one of those times.

[MaryBeth2]

Originally Posted by Donna7

Yes, you are right. Ohio's library system is one of the best in our country. I have been to other states on vacation or on business travel and I almost always visit the local library if I'm there for an extended visit. Some have been good and decent, but when I come home, I am SO grateful for the library system that Ohio has.

I have been one to complain about Ohio, especially the punitive tax policies that have encouraged businesses to relocate, however, I am steadfast and adamant on fighting this 50% budget cut to the state of Ohio's library system. Our library system is indeed an equalizing factor in the socioeconomic variable.

Our local library website has a full page on names and numbers to contact by phone, e-mail, or snail mail; I'm sure that all the libraries do. If anyone wants, I will post the contact information if I'm allowed to do so.

I refuse to let the GOOD things of our state go to pot, while the degenerates who do not take the time to educate and uplift themselves, in spite of resources that are thrown their way, continue to pilfer our state's resources. Sometimes, the good guys have to win. This is one of those times.

Hi Donna. I am one 'for' the library's too.

Maybe, could you post the link, instead of the contents? That would be helpful, I think.

[EarthBound?]

Originally Posted by Cosmic

Am hearing the new budget will cut state funds to the Ohio Library System by $122 million. Are they crazy, this is one of the best library systems in the nation.

Apparently being done with a very short window to oppose it. Maybe 10 - 11 days.

Peeps should be all over the pols about this one. Cut welfare, cut whatever but leave the library system alone. A few million will seem small if your library closes or limits hours. It is a major quality of life issue for many smaller towns / more rural counties.

There are plenty of waste, fraud and abuse areas to find money to cut, the library system is not one of them.

Everybody should on the horn to their senator / representatives / governor and tell them totally unacceptable. If they do, I will vote against all of them next time. For my county it would be a disaster if the library closed, even if they limit its operations. Should be expanding the services, not trying to cut them.

Web search the subject, apparently many bigger cities could totally lose many local branches. This is one of the few operations in the state that is well run, without corruption and performs a vital service. Do not let them mess it up. Plenty of wasteful welfare around my way, get the money there first. Plus the library is also tied into education. Many areas need them open in the evening for kids homework assignments.

Go figure , shut down the one thing that helps folks to use thier brains and keep the welfare system open for those that don't want to use thier brains.