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In this week’s ColumbusUnderground.com Podcast, we sit down to chat with Jeff Regensburger from the Northwest Library, Angel Gondek of the Educational Resource Center at Columbus State, and Rachel Rubin from the Old Worthington Library. Together, we discuss the proposed state budget cuts that would have deep impacts upon our library systems throughout Ohio.
To find out ways that you can help, please visit SaveOhioLibraries.com and ColumbusLibrary.org.
You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.
[audio:http://blip.tv/file/get/ColumbusUnderground-CUPodcast22SaveOhioLibraries607.mp3]
@mstimple Wow. How incredibly condescending. Please take those comments to the Dispatch where I’m sure you’ll find plenty of people who agree with your bigotry.
Yes, I do have interaction with many people on Medicaid, and many uninsured people who aren’t even eligible for it (immigrants.) I know Medicaid is a worthwhile program. It’s costly and it can certianly be improved, but to characterize Medicaid recipients the way you did is really ignorant.
Sick people without insurance cost the rest of us much more than sick people with insurance, even if the goverment is paying for the insurance. Libraries are wonderful institutions, but they don’t heal the sick.
I would say cutting the budgets of 400 out of the 614 school districts in the state would hurt people’s ability to learn to fish more than losing a library. I would say 14,000 kids losing the early education opportunity in pre-school would hurt it more as well.
By the way, I also think that learning to fish is great…eating is also great, and food pantries are also on the substantial cuts list.
The line item that funds gifted and talented programs in elementary schools also was recommended for elimination. The rich districts might still be able to afford that, but poor districts won’t. That
Thank you all for this discussion. I don’t usually like soap-boxes, but I do want to address this:
“The librarian is a old creation. It is not unlike the old-fashioned phone operater of ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000′ fame or a telegraph keyer – the artifact of inefficiencies in the system. Eliminate the technical barriers of information exchange, you eliminate the need for libraries and librarians.”
This is an old and narrow conception of what libraries do. And this is our fault– we have done a terrible job as a profession marketing how we are actually used and how we see ourselves. A recent study by OCLC found that overwhelmingly, people see the library brand as “books.” Although this is not surprising to those of us in the profession, it is disheartening. Yes, we are in the market of providing access to books, but we also provide access to so much more. Contrary to popular belief, not everything is accessible on the free web. Libraries spend thousands of dollars to provide the public with access to online journal content and educational software packages like Learning Express Library and Mango Languages. We teach people to sign up for e-mail accounts, fill out job applications online, and search job super sites. Shocking numbers of people come to us not knowing how to do this– and where else can they go for help? The library is also a “third place”– we are a community center. We are a place people can meet for free.
People come to us when their online searches are unfruitful and we help them find what they are looking for. Now more than ever people need librarians: the overwhelming amount of information (often inaccurate information) brings people to us when they can no longer navigate, interpret, or gauge accuracy. And there continues to be a huge digital divide in this country. So much of our world revolves around online information, and for many, the public library is the only way for them to learn the skills and/or have access to that technology. The educational system is clearly under duress– libraries work with groups like Head Start to take on trying to address Kindergarden readiness. We fill gaps.
There is no place, publicly funded or otherwise, that serves the vast range of people and their needs that libraries do.
We are the people’s university, we are a safe haven, we are a repository of cultural knowledge, we are teachers, we are entertainers, we provide access to otherwise inaccessible content, we provide access to technology, we are a place to meet and build community. Libraries are an essential part of a community’s safety net– together with mental health programs, social services, and educational institutions, we keep communities vital. Community health relies on a healthy system– there must be a way to continue to keep all the parts of the system healthy. Otherwise we condemn ourselves to a bleak future.
@joey, core, andrew
Spend more time advocating your causes and less time criticizing those of us who support ours. Ohio has and should continue to have one of the best funding systems for public libraries. That is why areas such as Cincinnati haven’t had to raise levies for the public library system there. Keep in mind that State funding extends to public libraries all across Ohio, not just to Cincinnati. I really wonder why Cincinnati has even been singled out.
If any of you argue that the fundamental problem with the library funding system is that it is done so through the state, then that is merely a matter of politics and philosophy. I will always support state funding of public libraries wherever I live and I would not wish any less for any other place.
The one very important thing that I would like to point out is that if I do not agree with the proposed cuts to public library funding, it does not mean I agree with any other cuts. I do not agree with the proposed cuts that will negatively affect any of our state mental health or other health related programs. I do not agree with cuts in funding to early education programs.
If cuts are necessary, are there any other places besides these vital public programs which could be clipped?
Saying that one cause MUST lose for another to survive only pits us against one another. It just makes people angry and defensive. Why aren’t you writing and phoning and spreading the word like mad to save your programs instead of spending your time telling us why our cause for public libraries is of less value? If you get the word out as much as the public libraries and their supporters have, you could do a lot of good. I don’t really believe you want to do good though.
As for libraries healing the sick, you really should have come to the library funding rally at the Statehouse. A few brave souls who spoke were able to relate experiences where the libraries were essential with getting information for the care of their sick.
Now I implore you get the word out for your causes. Make the case for the sick and our state’s programs for children. If I knew there were a rally in defense of your programs, I would do my best to make the event or spread the word, even though I know I might run into any one of you.
The library community is very committed and passionate about the cause. They are also very well informed and very very good at coming together on issues. You might learn something from them. You might even gain their support. Just don’t be so jealous.
Thank you TFL for an engaged and intelligent response. You are a credit to your profession and I admire your passion.
To the other poster : The paucity of your arguments is clearly demonstrated by your need to engage in personal attacks and cast aspersions at those who disagree with you.
A.
I am happy to have a chance to voice my support for public libraries by opposing the proposed funding cuts. I am also very happy to hear Portsmouth Public libraries mentioned in this podcast.
There are actually six libraries in that system, but they are far between. Two of the Libraries, the Lucasville and Northwest branches, are rural libraries that have played a large role in supporting the public schools in their districts.
I worry that if funding is cut to the Portsmouth Library system, they will have to cut vital programs for their communities and may struggle to support the local schools with the branch libraries. Its in smaller or often less affluent areas, such as Lucasville and Northwest, where I fear the cuts will cause the most harm. People in those areas rely on their local public libraries as they have the public schools for years, and often it is only because of state funding that a lot of these places are able to continue providing services at all.
The Portsmouth Public Libraries recently had a successful rally to spread the word about the potential harm of funding cuts. If you are interested, you can see some photographs of their rally at http://www.yourppl.org.
I’ve been hearing that this fight for library funding is far from over. I will continue to give my support for this cause.
Suburban libraries cut hours, employees to cope
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:11 AM
BY ANN FISHER
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
At least a couple of suburban library systems might ask voters to approve new local taxes after state cuts decimated their budgets. Almost all libraries are set to cut hours, eliminate Sunday service, lay off employees and pare wages. They will buy fewer titles and fewer copies.
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