Federal Budget Could Cut Heights Libraries Funding

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - The Heights Libraries system is asking its users to lobby Ohio politicians to remove language from the federal budget proposal that would potentially gut library funding to the tune of $210 million. Of that, at least $5 million is given to Ohio each year via the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the State Library of Ohio says.

Heights Libraries is asking users to phone Ohio senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to ask them to return funding to the state's library system, and general library funding. The library system is also asking users to call Representative Marcia Fudge.

The library system made an impassioned plea on both its Facebook page and on its own website. The Heights Libraries also cited a note from the State Library of Ohio that listed out the various programs that could be negatively impacted by the passage of the current budget proposal. That list is at the bottom of this article.

"The loss of this critical funding would come at a time when state funding for Ohio’s libraries lacks the stability it needs to ensure that our libraries remain able to innovate, adapt quickly to local needs, and develop programs and services that enable all members of their communities to thrive," the State Library of Ohio said on its website on March 17, 2017.

According to the State Library of Ohio, here are some library features that could be cut or damaged by a loss of federal funding:

EBSCO databases would disappear (or would have to be funded at the local level). The lack of LSTA funding to support the library databases jointly provided by the State Library, OPLIN, OhioLINK, and INFOhio would jeopardize the partnership and could potentially lead to elimination of the statewide availability of these resources.

Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled services supported by the State Library would be curtailed.

Public libraries would not receive summer reading materials and summer reading workshops would no longer be subsidized.

Ohio Digital Library, serving the patrons of 177 public libraries across the state, would no longer receive support from the State Library; member libraries would be required to pay a portion of the yearly software maintenance ($125,000).

Data available through the Public Library Survey would be minimal.

Consulting services, such as strategic planning, space design, and youth services would be significantly reduced or eliminated.

State Library support for WebJunction would end and library staff would no longer have access to Skillsoft courses.

Competitive grants to support innovative initiatives in areas including Data Management and Analytics, Outreach and Partnerships, and STEM/STEAM, would no longer exist.

The SEO Library Center would no longer be partially supported with federal funding, requiring the elimination of some services such as Technology Training on Demand. Continuation of services would require increased financial support from SEO member libraries.

Leadership programs such as Library Leadership Ohio and ILEAD USA-Ohio would be eliminated.

The process of establishing the Ohio Digital Network as a service hub for DPLA would be significantly delayed or terminated.

Plans to use LSTA funds to support the Guiding Ohio Online digital literacy program once the grant funding from Serve Ohio ends in FY 2018 would be eliminated.

Photo from Heights Libraries