Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Holmes County voters: Please support the Holmes County Library issue on the ballot August 3.

Library spending has been cut by the state by over 30 percent the last few years as the state of Ohio has had to cut back due to the poor economy.

We in Holmes County have been lucky in that we have not had to pay for our library system until this point. Our neighboring counties have had levies in place for many years.

Wayne and Stark County residents have 1.0 mill levies; Massillon has a 1.9 mill levy in place. Tuscarawas County also has a tax levy of .5 mills. The funds generated by these levies represent approximately 33 percent of their operating monies. Holmes County Library has made due with state monies up until this point, albeit severely cutting branch hours and programs.

Our branch libraries are a vital community resource that must be preserved. They are a beloved destination for children of all ages, who sorely miss the preschool reading program and teen/tween game night, both of which have been discontinued due to lack of funds. The wonderful librarian at the Winesburg branch, “Miss Cathy”, as she is called by her children patrons, is frequently the first English contact that Amish children have when they attend story hour or the summer reading program. It also is an important resource for home-schooled children and their parents. It is a cherished destination for library patrons ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly. The computers in the library, placed there by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are in constant use by the public.

From a Winesburg branch perspective, the majority of users arrive via bicycle or foot. Going to the main library is not a viable option for most of us. Even if we do have the transportation necessary to get us to the main branch, paying for the levy would be cheaper than the gas money to get there.

Here’s the deal: If you don’t like how the library is being run by the current library administrators, or feel that they have not been good stewards of funds, take it up with the library board. If you don’t like what the library board is doing, go to your elected officials, the county commissioners, with your issues.

Further if you have issues with the government, and how the state or federal government is spending funds, don’t project your frustrations on this issue. The facts are that the library’s funds have been cut due to the economy, and have to be made up elsewhere.

Before you cast a no vote for this levy, head to your closest library branch during its open hours. See how happy the children and families are. Check out the resources and the unlimited amount of materials you can order from hundreds of libraries – all at no charge.

Alice Todaro

Winesburg