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Connecting People… to the World of Ideas and Information

Discover how our library serves as a key community asset, offering valuable resources for education, economic development, and more. Despite facing funding challenges, the library continues to grow and support local needs, but new funding is critical to sustain its vital services. Learn how your support can help maintain programs, services, and resources for all community members.

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Connecting People… to the World of Ideas and Information

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  1. Connecting People… to the World of Ideas and Information

  2. Our Library Is A MajorCommunityAsset Busiest Main Library in the country Among the busiest libraries in the U.S. Top 10 in Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings for libraries serving a population of 500,000 or more

  3. Key Metrics: 5.6 million visits annually 15.6 million items borrowed in 2008 2.1 million reference questions 9.5 million items in our collection Over 14,000 programs annually 40 branches and the Main Library Online resources used 87 million times 907,000 square feet of space 245,000 cardholders

  4. Library Use Is Continuing To Grow Reference questions, computer use, visits, program attendance also up

  5. Supporting Education And The Economy Workforce Education Kindergarten Readiness Academic Success Small Business Development

  6. Value For Money: Southwestern Ohio’s ROI In Public Libraries Using a conservative measure of value, the total quantifiable direct economic benefit of every dollar expended by libraries was $3.81

  7. Drop in Primary Funding • Need and use growing • Primary funding decreasing • 28% drop since 2000 • 19% drop since 2008

  8. No Local Funding No property taxes No financial support from Hamilton County, the City of Cincinnati or any Hamilton County cities or villages

  9. Public Library Fund • Up to 90% of annual revenue • Percent of State General Revenue Funds • Low State income = low Library income • Further reduction in new State Budget Bill

  10. Cost Containment Measures Since 2000 • Reduced: • hours of operation by 10% • staff positions by 20% • employee benefits • Cancelled capital projects & maintenance • Reorganized Main Library to save $1 million

  11. Since 2000 • Library circulation increased by 17% • Library operating cost grew by 15% • Inflation grew by 25% • State funding dropped by 28%

  12. Surviving 2009 Capital funds, gifts and prior-year savings used to operate this year will be gone in 2010.

  13. Annual Budget Gap • Current gap between need and income is over $14 million • Gap in 2010 is $16-30 million

  14. Local Funding The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County – the only metropolitan library in Ohio with no local funding.

  15. (in millions) Hamilton County (1 library) $ 0 Cuyahoga County (9 libraries) $81.3 Franklin County (7 libraries) $32.2 Lucas County (1 library) $14.0 Summit County (7 libraries) $14.4 Montgomery County (4 libraries) $12.5 Stark County (7 libraries) $ 5.4 Mahoning County (1 library) $ 3.0 Local Funding Comparison

  16. Countywide 1 Mill Tax Levy Generates $20 million annually $2.50 per month/$100,000 of property value Funds basic operating expenses, cost of meeting growing demand and maintenance of Library facilities

  17. Citizens For Your Library’s Future • Campaign budget $500,000 • Pledged/donated $250,000 • Expect no organized opposition

  18. We Will Be Forced To Cut Vital Services If We Do Not Secure A Steady Source Of Funding: • Further reductions in hours of operation • Further reductions in staff • 15-20 branch libraries closed • Further reductions in new books and other materials • Services and programs cut • Countywide impact

  19. New Funding Would Allow The Library To: Keep branch libraries open Continue to update books, reference materials and other materials Continue special programs for children and teenagers, including homework centers Maintain services for seniors Upgrade public computers and online services Keep high quality staff

  20. Community Attitude Survey Shows Strong Support • 70% of voters would vote for a Library levy • 92% rated the quality of the Library as excellent or good • 88% agree that the Library should continue to offer programs and activities for children and teenagers • 54% are more likely to vote for a levy knowing the Library has a deficit and will have to make drastic cuts

  21. In Closing… • The Library is a valuable community asset • Must diversify funding and reduce dependence on State taxes • Many cuts have already been made • Now in survival mode • Levy failure would be devastating • Levy success keeps Library doors open

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