Library facing cuts
Officials learn funding from state will be less in ’09By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com
Article Photos
Fact Box
If you go
What: Used Book Sale.
Sponsor: Marietta Friends of the Library.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25), Monday (Oct. 27),10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, (Oct. 28) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (books $1.50 bag Tuesday).
Where: Washington County Public Library annex, 615 Fifth St. beside the parking lot.
Who: Open to the public.
For more information: 373-1057.
Hours
Washington County Public Library hours:
9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Closed Sunday.
Joining an expanding parade of people, places, and things facing funding cuts these days, the Washington County Public Library board is reviewing how it will cope with 6 percent to 8 percent less funds in 2009.
"We were frozen (in funding) for four years, but it looked like it was getting better," said Richard Murdock, president of the library board. "Then recession started kicking in."
Good news that a four-year freeze on funding would end turned sour earlier this week when library officials learned state funding for its library would actually be cut from $2.339 million to $2.152 million.
"Ninety five percent of our funding comes from the state," said Murdock. "We are looking at ways to tighten our budget for 2009."
Justin Mayo, library director, said Thursday that he is preparing a list of options for the board to consider. Preliminary decisions will be made by the middle of November, with final decisions on the budget due in December, he said.
"The past three years have been the hardest ever on libraries in the state of Ohio," Mayo said. "We did not anticipate a 6 to 8 percent decrease in funding."
The local library budget had already been trimmed 3 percent, he said.
One huge impact of the announced cuts will be a new building program - abandoned for now.
"I won't be searching for land to build and we'll put any new construction on hold," Mayo said.
Months ago Mayo and the board discussed the need for a new library facility in Marietta, while preserving the current building on Fifth Street. Mayo was actively seeking land for building.
"People call us about lack of parking here and lack of space. We do the best we can do," Mayo said. "Times are tough. I'd love for the public to know that we are trying."
Murdock agreed that any plans for a new building are on hold.
"New information shows potentially less money from the state," he said. "I don't envision any way we can move toward new construction any time soon."
The Washington County Public Library includes the main library, 615 Fifth St., the history and genealogy department at Washington and Fifth streets, with branch facilities at Barlow, Beverly, Belpre, and New Matamoras.
In an earlier interview, before the state cuts were announced, Mayo said no programs or people would be impacted by the then anticipated 3 percent reduction in funding for the new year.
There are about 60 to 65 employees of the library.
Hours had already been reduced in the history and genealogy department when a 6 p.m. closing Wednesday and Thursday replaced an 8:30 department closing.
"I did not receive one phone call from a patron about the earlier closing hours," Mayo said. "I don't think there was a lot of call for the later hours anyway."
No employee hours were cut in that earlier move, he said.
Mayo has no plans today for any new reductions, but said they will likely come from materials, such as books and programs - not personnel.
"That would be the first area to cut," he said of materials.
Area library bookmobiles are just one program, along with numerous children's programs.
The public can help out the library by volunteering, Mayo said.
"We need volunteers at the main library and every branch. Volunteers are always good."
Donations to the library are happily accepted, as well as public attendance at used book sales, which help the library continue programs, he said.
A used book sale, sponsored by Marietta Friends of the Library, begins at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and continues 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday. On Tuesday, used books are $1.50 a bag.
Proceeds go to programs at the library, Mayo said.
Curiously, as the economy falters and stagnates, the public library is actually realizing more regular use, Mayo said.
"We've started to see quite an increase in foot traffic," he said. "There is increased use of the computers, more DVDs and books are being checked out."
Richard Thomas is the newest member of the library board, beginning his second year.
He said because of funding cuts, he is concerned about all areas of the library.
"I like to see a full-service library and staff," he said. "I have confidence in Justin's (Mayo) judgment. He will be very fair in his recommendations."
Thomas said the library today, given the funding issues, is a "work in progress."
"We must all work together," he said.
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Johanna
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10-25-08 12:58 AM
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oops..can't assist me.....spelling police
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Johanna
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10-25-08 12:49 AM
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Just hope you don't want to know where your money is going to come from when your computers crash? How many times have I called businesses and they can's assist me because the computers are down? Scary!!! What's the back-up plan if they don't come back up? I live on dial-up and it is basically to e-mail my siblings scattered throughout the States.
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Johanna
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10-25-08 12:45 AM
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Do you guys have to ruin every article? The library is awesome for many reasons. My sister and her husband live abroad. When they visit the states, esp. Marietta, her 4 children can't wait to get to the library for books! As for the constant digs toward the skate park and the money from the Grant! Have any of you any knowledge of a Grant or the time period that it takes to get one? Quick info. When you apply for a Grant, it is for a SPECIFIC PURPOSE!!! You cannot change where the funds are to be spent. If the Library qualifies for a Grant, contact someone to help...like the Mayor that you all love to trash...but remember how long it takes to get a Grant!!! It can take up to a year or longer. Did anyone request the money or a Grant?
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scandalous
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10-24-08 8:39 PM
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I've been thinking about this for a while... are all libraries in Ohio state funded? Is this library unique because of the genealogy collection or the historical aspect? Too bad we don't have more control of the budget at a city leve... nevermind. We couldn't manage that budget locally given our track record of managing budgets here...
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NoelTyler
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10-24-08 8:10 PM
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mariettamiss: that's the funniest thing I've read/heard all week. Thanks for the humor.
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mariettamiss
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10-24-08 6:49 PM
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Maybe Judy can write them a check.
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ifmypeoplewillhumblethemselves
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10-24-08 6:40 PM
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I love the library. The staff there is wonderful and helpful and it is fairly peaceful there, when you need to really focus on something go to the library up on the 2nd floor and sit in one of the little nooks up there. I have written more than a few papers up there. Not to mention for those of us who can't afford air conditioning, a few hours during the hottest part of the day spent in the Library are refreshing and peaceful. I love using the inter-library loan program, I love their books on tape when I need to travel, I can pop in a book on tape to entertain me for hours. Their programs for children, story time, and so on ... are wonderful and educational for the children. I do prefer reading with a book in my hand, because it is a little hard to curl up in the evenings by the fireplace with a cup of joe with an online book, LOL. Movie Rentals are free!!
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scandalous
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10-24-08 6:22 PM
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I'd love to put a kindle in the hands of every man, woman and child, but, I guess I have a bias towards the simplicity and versatility of technology. I think 20 years down the road when people won't know what it felt like to unfold a real map for driving directions and hope we have libraries around then so people can go see what a real map looked like. And touch it. And try to re-fold the darn thing.
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NoelTyler
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10-24-08 5:10 PM
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Good advice. I just keep adding books each time a new one comes out that I want. Once you get started putting yourself on waitlists over the computer they just keep coming and coming. By the time you're done with one there will be another waiting for you.
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ladynoogs
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10-24-08 4:48 PM
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oh... so thats the trick... i agree.. reading online isnt the same.. not to mention teh eye strain. thanks for the info goulash.
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goulash
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10-24-08 4:16 PM
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ladynoogs, Don't ask them at the library. Use the computer website, search the book, and plug in your request by using your card number. This puts you in touch with dozens of other libraries in Ohio that are part of the lending network. For example, say I want to order a bestseller. I find the book in the online catalogue, request it, and leave my telephone or e-mail for contact purposes. The catalogue will tell you how many copies are available and where you are on the waiting list. Even if you are 30th, don't give up. You might get your book in a few days. You can never tell when our library might decide to order a copy or when those out will be returned. I rarely have to wait more than a week. Most classics are available in only days. While it is true that you can read classics online (courtesy of the Gutenberg Project), I find that reading online is tiresome and not as rewarding as actually holding the book in your hands. I love our library.
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ladynoogs
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10-24-08 2:21 PM
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goulash.. all of that can be found online for free as well and read online. I have many books... and i'm an avid reader. Everytime i tried to order a book from the public libary they told me it would be weeks or even months before i would get it. With a few bucks Amazon will send it to my door in a matter of days, usually before i even make my weekly trip into marietta. I don't knock the library. If i were in marietta i would probably actually use it. When i lived in marietta i spent more time in it than on the playground.
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telefonica
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10-24-08 1:24 PM
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Everything you read on the internet is true and unbiased! Who needs books anymore? Silly fools.
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Contrarian
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10-24-08 1:19 PM
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Goulash: If you'd return all comic books you checked out they could sell them to raise money!
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goulash
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10-24-08 1:09 PM
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It's symptomatic of our stupid age that people think of libraries as places where "knowledge used to be distributed." In my case, though, I am happy that people don't read anything but what's on a computer screen. I never have to buy a book, and I can get anything I want through our library system within days. I attribute that to our local non-reading public. I realize that Tolstoy, Hemingway, Proust, and Nietzsche were not "distribution of knowledge" business. What a dreadful corporate sound that has!
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ladynoogs
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10-24-08 12:42 PM
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lol scandolous... i tried to explain what a "card catalog" was and the "dewi-decimal system"... he was right when he said "i'll never have to use one, thank god for computers, so why are they teaching us this stuff." by the time i graduated the card catalog was replaced by computers.. he's never even SEEN a card catolog.
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ladynoogs
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10-24-08 12:37 PM
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not sure how to think about this one. I havent untilized a libary in like 8 years since i've had internet access. Its sad they are facing problems, but like bridge said, at least they are learning to live withen thier means.
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ladynoogs
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10-24-08 12:37 PM
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not sure how to think about this one. I havent untilized a libary in like 8 years since i've had internet access. Its sad they are facing problems, but like bridge said, at least they are learning to live withen thier means.
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scandalous
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10-24-08 12:34 PM
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I support the library as the example of how knowledge used to be distributed in the 19th and 20th century... almost like a museum, honestly. Maybe we could put the skate park INSIDE a new library building. Grandparents and older people could sit and read, while listing to the soothing sound of rolling wheels and smashing bones! :)
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MaintainSanity
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10-24-08 12:00 PM
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Just because they didn't get any phone calls about the shortened hours at the local history and genealogy section of the library does not mean people were unaffected or completely happy. It is not very clear when you have a complaint (or a compliment) to whom you should speak.
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goulash
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10-24-08 11:27 AM
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I agree with NoelTyler. The 75 thousand would have been a nice gift to the library. Maybe they could open on Sundays. But in "grant" world there are no reasonable priorities. Just toss money at anything but something that could benefit everyone.
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Bittersweet
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10-24-08 11:07 AM
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LOL.....bridge, thank you for noticing how those (sneaky brown nosers) city & county people are taking care of themselves....LOL
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NoelTyler
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10-24-08 10:33 AM
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So... the library is facing cuts. But, there's money for a skatepark. Sound logic. I guess there's too much supervision up on 5th street for the kids to hang out there. Oh, and I guess the library is non-smoking.
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TheBridge
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10-24-08 9:42 AM
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Wow, while the cuts are unfortunate it is refreshing to see a government entity learning to live within its means, unlike Marietta City and Washington County, who continue to spend what they don't have. Recession? What recession?
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