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Help keep the library lights on 
Posted on: September 21, 2009
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has been forced to cut back its hours, due to reduced state funding. The process by which the library determined how to implement the cutbacks is illustrative of its continuing commitment to serve Valley residents.
When I visited with library director Carlton Sears in his office this summer when the reductions were announced, he showed me a chart of numbers. Each library branch tracks the number of visiting patrons during each hour of the day. All of these numbers were laid out in front of Sears, and this data was used to pick the branches' least trafficked times for cutbacks.
Funding for Ohio’s libraries is determined by a formula that ties a percentage of the state’s general revenues. Revenues have plunged in the current economy, leaving libraries wondering what lies ahead. Compared with 2008 funding levels, 20% of state revenue has been lost since January of 2009. Another 30% cut has been proposed on top of that for this year, with further expected cuts of 47% in 2010 and 45% in 2011.
West Side residents, faced with the prospect of their branch's closing, took matters into their own hands to raise money to directly support the library. We can all join together and approve the $1 million, five-year levy on the November 3 ballot.
In these times of economic uncertainty and record unemployment, our libraries are needed more than ever, to support those pursuing continuing education and those using the library's facilities to search for jobs. Check the latest hours for your branch, and consider donating to the library if you can.
The library is managing their part responsibly by ensuring it's available when we use it the most. It's time for us to do our part in keeping the lights on.
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Comments
They had to cut back these hours due to Ted Strickland. Vote him out in 2010.
We all need to show Columbus that we use the library system to prove its value in our area. There is a great website that can be utilized to reserve books which also notifies you when they are ready for pickup or need to be returned. http://catalog.libraryvisit.org/ This is a great way for your local branch to show quantitative #'s of usage & proof that hours need to be extended. In this economy, save money by using the library for DVDs & books. Take your children there instead of Barnes & Noble to begin their love affair with reading.
A capitalist will say the library needs to compete with Barnes and Noble.
Several years ago, the brand new Poland library sponsored a "charette", studies were made to establish what the library of the future needs to be, the conclusion, the new town center in communities. Many of us citizens took the ball and ran with it, creating improvments around the this new town center.
Sadly, we made a mistake in believing in bureaucracy. When one has a secured position and it seems to never depend upon the fruit that you bear, why make an effort?
Tyler, with due respect, you needed to dig deeper to find out why the libraries of today are almost obsolete.
Libraries are so crucial in a down economy. First, there are still many in the Valley that do not own a computer, therefore they need to have access to public libraries. And alot of people simply cannot afford to drop $20-$30 at Barnes and Noble every 2 weeks for magazines and books.
Libraries should be considered sacred. I still think that if we pass gambling in Ohio, a % cut should go to the library system. Lets not let Ohio slip further down the intellectual pole.
Anyone can afford to purchase books at Barnes And Noble. "Poor" people have computers, smart phones, cable tv, giant screen tv's, cars (free from the govt.), free school breakfasts and lunches, welfare, SSI, crazy money for their "mentally" disabled illegit. kids. keep up these socialistic give away and the only people who won't be able to buy books at Barnes And Noble are the hard working, over-taxed, honest American citizens who probably got married before they had children, support their familes and themselves and aren't dopers and or alcoholics who are collecting SSI or welfare.
Pro, using the internet connection at the library is so popular that users have to reserve time at a maximum of 1 hour.
Now is it your assertion that these people just come to the library because they prefer traveling to another location for an hour of use to pushing a button in their own home offices?
It is exactly the "over-taxed, honest American citizens who probably got married before they had children, support their families and themselves," and probably are making mortgage and car payments on time, WHO NEED LIBRARIES THE MOST, because of a lack of disposable income.
I wish the good fairy would grant my wish of allowing you to live a low income life, so you could find out if you really enjoy the list of goodies in your post.
I'm gonna slow down a little, libraries are needed, no doubt about it. I'm merely saying MY observation is that it needs to be reorganized to fit into todays society. The idea of the library being the new town center was very impressive to me and it could be. But what I have seen is that the library itself does not seem to be the visionaries to make this happen. As the neighbor to one of the largest libraries in the county, I only have seen the library diminishing as a destination point.
Hellsbells, I did live a low income life so I did without. I worked my way into a higher income and continued to sacrifice and save my after over taxed income. The over taxed, hard working, who have mortgages and support the losers in our society may not need the library more than those losers but we sure a heck paid for them. The govt. squandered Trillions for helping the "poor" and the poor are still with us. Welfare, SSI, free cars and car repairs for welfare users, free school breakfasts and lunch, food stamps, free education, affirmative action, free medical, dental and eyecare, WIC
HEAP. What do welfare families do with the free health care? Have more illegit, children who are eligible for programs like HEALTHY START, and then they thank us, the hard working tax payers by
generating yet another generation after generation after generation of additional welfare receiptiants.
Pro, I understand your bitterness, everything you say is the problem, although you say it with the rallying cry of a rebel yell. What is more of a problem, is now political people have figured out a way to harness this welfare voting block. And, this has nothing to do with race, majority of the welfare roles are white because of the population make up. This voting block decides any election today, community organizing in regards to "get out the vote" motivates this block easily. If you want continuing subsidy, vote for this guy or this law.
Food for thought, after the presidential elections, recipients recieved a $100 increase in their foodcard, isn't this vote buying? You want an end to your diatribe? Help change the law of the land that only productive members of society can vote, otherwise it is sold.
This is not a new concept. an Arab American good friend of mine told me, long ago in Jerusalem, you could not vote unles your owned land.
Youngstownshrimp, good idea; only land owners or someone who pays their own rent free of Section 8 or govt. subsitizies. However, I'm sure George Soros, the unions and ACORN will probably pay their rent, legally or illegally to buy their votes.
At one time, only landowners were eligible to vote. Yes, I am a rebel but a rebel with a noble cause; I want to keep the US Constitution, capitalism and our republic.
GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!
ProAmerican, your rhetoric is unhelpful. Library supporters also believe in liberty, the Constitution, capitalism and the Republic. People of goodwill can disagree about domestic spending priorities without being lumped in with ACORN or Rush Limbaugh.
Okay, let me say this again. It is the tax-paying, mortgage paying, responsible citizen who uses the library the most.
Really, Pro, do you imagine the Public Library as a place where club-hopping, drug dealers like to hang out?
hellsbells.....ProMerkin imagines a lot of things.
So far, we don't seem to have a viable solution to keep the lights on.
1. We know the well is dried up.
2. Hours and staff have been cut.
3. Are remaining salaries in line or better yet, are positions paid for, producing?
4. Any vision from us or the Lib. on what they can become to draw more walk-ins or revenue?
I've seen the vision of "if we build it they will come". Didn't happen obviously. The non-profit group I'm a member of built the Yellow Creek Theatre behind the Poland library and they come, many times more cars in their parking lot than during library hours.
Hellsbells, Tyler, why would a hard working, tax paying, mortgage, decent citizen have to use the library at the taxpayers' expense? Why can't you just pay a users' fee when you're using the library. That would lower the rest of us who don't use the library. I'm just telling you, I'm tired of supporting losers who are dopers and criminals. Do they pay taxes? No, but they use all the public serviced we taxpayers pay for free.
CamBilge, I imagine you wouldn't know fiscal responsibility, just like all socialists.
Public libraries are obsolete, just like labor unions.
ProAmerican, Please don't say you don't use the library, they'll make fun of you and say maybe you should.
You seem to have a good spirit and are fed up like many of us to see America we love slipping away because of all the waste and unqualified leaders. Don't let anyone suppress this in you and continue to call it as you see it.
just the fact that you see no one from the library standing up in this debate shows you default.
To call the library out on not taking the time to seek out every little mention of them and put themselves into the debate is kind of silly. Clearly, they have better things to do.
To imagine that the hard-working people who do use the library in droves haven't justified its continued support is curious, as well. In this top-down economy, just because someone is hard-working, tax-paying and decent doesn't mean they can afford to rely on private rather than public services.
Hmmmm, putting them in a public debate about their existence is silly? I'm glad there your words not mine. Better things to do than hearing from their patrons, flies in the the face of a typical excuse from public servants when questioned. After all, the library gave you an interview for public consumption.
Nevertheless, I still see no meaningful solutions to keep the lights on, and going to the public well is tapped.
Just as I experimented with aquaculture, I am also doing the same with cyberspace to see if intelligent dialogue can somehow stimulate change in our community. So far I am not convinced, I'll vote with my feet soon. We all know that there seems to be a danger in replacing reality with this cyberworld some of us live in. I've found that trumpeted change here can be fiction for those who will not or cannot escape back into the real world. But again, the real world maybe too much pain for most here. I'm still not giving up hope that this blog can somehow lead us forward with answers to our problems.
What I said in the blog post was that the library was making decisions based on the input and demonstrated behavior patterns of their patrons. I'm not sure what more you're looking for from them, but I would be interested to hear specifics.
Dreams, vision, implimentation, and then reality.
I met many times with the director of dev. of the Mah. Lib. system, since we were the first, and continue to show free outdoor movies behind the Poland Lib., I suggested the library should have a mobile film festival at everyone of the branches. Our success showed it works. Our nonprofit with equiptment would assist just like we demonstrated for the city. Hell, we even started Boardman Park movies.
Here's another, since the libraries are part of the education system, work with Dana and have live jazz ensembles every weekends. I have been hiring Dana talent for over a decade, they love to play and train.
You see, what I learned in life is if you work for the betterment of community, we all prosper. I am not perfect, but I am not afraid to innovate and sometimes you hit walls.
I live in the city but found less walls in Poland so come take a look at what we have done as a small community. And we are doing more here.
One endeavor that I recently was encouraged to do and it wasn't even my idea (OSU) was to grow shrimp in YTown, I did it. But I see wealth for the citizens of YTown if they embrace this new idea. Imagine an industry with no competition and a 2 billion dollar market? We have the land and we have the water.
Now this excites me! brainstorming.
Where is the money going to come from? Youngstownshrimp is right. The well is running dry. We are already taxed at 50% of our income. That's what hard working taxpayers are paying. When does it stop and when do we reduce our tax burden so we can keep our OWN money?
By the way Youngstownshrimp, they know I can hold my own intellectually and then some. In addition, I posses common sense. Just tally our tax burden; because it's so high, we have less personal income to support our families with the necessities and enjoy a few luxuries.
Why can you socialists just leave us alone; stop picking our pockets, our grandchildrens' pockets and don't try to make us feel guilty b/c we resent supporting the lazy underclass (self-induced). Call us greedy. The greedy are those who are on the public dole generation to generation, expecting the hard working American citizens to provide them with an income, free health care, housing, free food, even free automobiles and repairs so they can "look" for a job.
Let me recapitulate.
TAXES
INCOME TAX (LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL)
SOCIAL SECURITY
MEDICARE (STATE, FEDERAL)
GASOLINE TAX (STATE, FEDERAL)
VEHICLE LICENSE TAX
VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE TAX
INHERITENCE TAX
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
BONUS TAX
TIRE TAX (EPA)
OIL CHANGE TAX (EPA) additional
AIR CONDITION TAX (EPA) additional
E CHECK TAX
TELEPHONE (ONLINE, CELL) TAX additional
INTERNET TAX additional
CIGARETTE TAX
We pay an extra telephone tax so "American" Indians can afford to make long distance telephone calls.
Will we be paying an extra tax like the cigarette tax on pop, juice, candy and movie pop corn too.
The high cigaratte tax (I'm a non-smoker) to support health care is an ovymoron. On one hand the govt. tells us it's taxing cigs b/c it's concerned with our health; on the other hand, when cig consumption decreases b/c of that tax, it complains about the loss of revenue for health care, lol.
Does any of that make sense? Of course not b/c that's socialism.
YOUNGSTOWNSHRIMP, I wish you the best for you entrepreneural guts.
To add to what ProAmerican said about taxes, I grew up in Ohio but am now a Florida resident where I retired. I now spend 6 months in Florida (winter) and 6 in Ohio (summer). Currently my total 6 month everyday expenses (Water, gas, electricity etc.) is 380 dollars more in Florida than Ohio. That is due to outrageous property Insurance. That difference will disappear next month as I change insurance carriers. What amazed me was when I found out that a good friend here in Ohio pays a tax in the city where he works along with a city tax where he lives plus a state and federal tax. FOUR TAXES! Unbelievable! I have always paid federal tax only which is how it should be.
If's just not fair; why are we being punished for working hard and being responsible citizens? We support our families and ourselves, and support the non produces and irresponsible (the class of people the govt. coddles for their block votes).
Okay, I answered Tyler's request for some specifics. The library has heard these before and are not interested, it was even said to my face by several of their chiefs, "we need to have lunch". I never heard from them again, I guess they meant , don't call us, we'll call you.
How about another specific, the library board must have business people in their ranks, how about reorganization? Is it time to weed out the old guard and bring in an innovator? Please do not take this suggestion that Mr. Sears is not an astute qualified manager, but rather, does the library now need someone who can navigate thru the rough waters and create the library of the future. To his credit, Mr. Sears has been the builder of some of the most acclaimed structures in the Valley.
In my eyes, a public library has always been a secular temple, symbolizing the highest values of a civilized society - a place where any citizen can enter and through their own best efforts, become a more educated, thoughtful, and involved human being. Thus, despite being a fiscal conservative, with little love for most government run programs, I've always felt the public library was one institution that deserved support. That said, it must still deal with economic realities. Here are a few of my suggestions to help keep the lights on:
1. Turn some of the lights OFF. And, of course, modify the temperature controls. I'm sure some of this is being done - but more can always be done in this area. The day after the initial announcement that the state was going to cut funds, I walked into the main library and saw a librarian working in a sweater - the a.c. had the place so cold! Now that the weather is growing colder, the sweaters should come on, and the heat lowered. Plastic over the huge windows, if that will help conserve the heat. It may be tacky looking, but not as tacky looking as a closed down building.
2. As much as I like the library workers, and don't wish to see any of them unemployed, it's probably time to employ more volunteer workers. There are plenty of local citizens who would love helping in the library. Every task in the library does not require a trained librarian.
3. There are SOME fees that could be imposed - and that would be reasonable. For example, a very modest fee of something like 25 or 50 cents per hour to use the internet; $1.00 per night to rent brand new movies (look how many people are using RedBox) Or perhaps the library could have RedBox install a machine - and receive commissions from it? A small daily rental fee for brand new, eagerly anticipated new fiction. A modest rental fee for meeting rooms. The library could sell newspapers - for example, the Wall Street Journal; the New York Times. There could be a coffee stand (note, I don't think we need to wait for a full blown coffee shop) in the main atrium area. A gift shop, with both new and used books, music and book related items - it need not be elaborate, but there's plenty of times when I've needed a book store item, but hadn't wanted to drive out to the suburbs to get it. If the library has a book repair department, perhaps they can offer repair services to the public at a modest price.
I like Yshrimp's idea of a community center, and the library would be ideal for that.
leaveusalone, I like your attention to detail. "watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves".
BTW, Yellowcreektheatre.com , existed for six years by advertising for sponsors, no handouts from the Gov.
The Dana musicians for the community center can also be funded by sponsors. Oh, prior to every movie for the past six years we had live jazz, all the musicians were paid for by donations.
The library can do this too, if they tried.
I agree with you people. Why don't we privatize the libraries? Volunteerism is a great idea. I don't want to see those library employees lose their jobs either but we have far too much government and it's time to scale back. Way back. We do it in our personal lives. Why can't government?
Can someone produce their salaries, they are public servants?
Also, they are represented by militant, anti business unions like SEIU and the like.
I don't think that "leaveusalone" is advocating privatizing libraries, just looking for some ways to save.
Some of his/her ideas are already in place in the Poland library: Gift Store/Coffee stand, etc.
It could be a problem to have volunteers do such tasks as check books in or out, because there are financial disputes that can arise from doing this incorrectly. And I wouldn't want volunteers putting books on the shelves, because once a book is placed incorrectly, it could remain lost for quite a while.
I can't believe all the comments from Ron He. never pays his taxes!! He's commenting about taxes. While this city would be 1000 times better off if he'd just paid his taxes
I'm glad you did your homework on shrimp but you should've done more homework on Mr. Ron Einstein!!!
The important word in this story is investors and
the only facts that are clear are the ones from the Mahoning County Auditor's website and the ones from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Ron Eiselstein has 50 records of lawsuits on the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts website, all but one in which he is the defendant. Many are judgements for money that remain open. He owes money to the city of Youngstown for demolition in the thousands according to the clerk of courts website.
He is also affiliated with Firepearl, which has 20 records listed, again as the defendant, and many are judgements for money that remain open.
Aside from numerous tax LIENS under his name. He also has many listed under this name Caraga Ltd.the following pages from the Ohio Secretary of State shows his name as the statutory agent.
3210 SOUTHERN BLVD
YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44507 USA
Mail Information
CARAGA LTD
3210 SOUTHERN BLVD
YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44507 USA
http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/portal/P......
This link shows the secretary of state info
http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/reports/rwse......
Numerous tax liens under that name are listed here
Some back ground on Ron:
Aside from his shrimp farms scheme, which by the way he's looking for investors. He also is in a club called the Inventors Club they meet at the Poland Library once a month. I refer to it as the Scammers Club their main function is to meet potential investors and show off their inventions [SCAMS]
One of the members of this club is a Mr. Bob Jadloski. together with Ron's encouragement many people invested $3000 into a hydrogen car project
Date Line video enclosed here shows what a scam that was
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29899191/
I can see why Ron likes Traficant two peas in a pod
I think you owe it to the members of this community that you expose Ron
before he hurts your groups credibility and all that good works, you're trying to do.
I realize Ron must be upset at me for exposing his facts. But they are, what they are, court records
Please follow the links and you'll stay away from any project that he's involved in
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND REMEMBER ALL THE OTHER SCAMS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvPAH75Zj......
Taxedoff Mike Meszaro, I see you raised your fat face again. For a while I thought you couldn't get out of the cesspool you live in. Anyway, I've seen your picture online, man you need to stop eating all that crap. Not only does it show, you continue to spew it out in your comments. Listen, we are coming for you with a libel suit, so continue to hide.
"Attention" Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Michael J. Meszaro please contact this writer and you will be rewarded with free shrimp. He never seems to graduate from YSU and his picture is online, he's the fat guy trying to act like he's farming.
TAXEDOFF.....Are you sure that youngstownshrimp is this Ron person? I took your advice and looked up that name in the Mahoning County Courts and there is a list of litigation as long as my arm.
This can't possibly be the same person because youngstownshrimp was nice enough to let me in on the fact that he was a life long "business man" and any financial success that I've achieved was nothing more than luck. Never having been involved in any litigation myself I found this information shocking.
I began looking up to him as a mentor and now I read what you and others have said about him and I can't help but believe you have him confused with someone else.
Tyler, with due respect, you needed to dig deeper to find out why the libraries of today are almost obsolete.
Boy are you wrong on that one. Without a good library I couldn't do research for my classes. All kinds of things from Microform to J Store are at the library. These are not the kinds of research tools that are available at home.
hi hellsbells - you are correct - I'm not advocating privatization - and I'm aware that some of what I suggest is already in place. In addressing your concerns about using volunteer help - I'd point out that the main library already has a self-serve check out system, which is, in effect, the equivalent of many "volunteers" checking out books. (and every time someone reserves, or renews a book online, they're, in effect, acting as a volunteer.) Your concern about financial disputes is understandable, but the circulation system is computerized and prints out paper receipts - and keeps records of all transactions. And as for volunteers putting books back in the wrong places - I have to say that almost every time I visit the library and browse the stacks, I find myself reshelving books that have been misplaced. So, whether the help is paid or volunteer, books sometimes go back in the wrong places. Many libraries across the country use volunteer help - as do many museums, hospitals, fire departments and other civic organizations - and they all seem to survive. Properly trained, a volunteer can save an organization tremendous amounts of money.
I rarely look at these dialogues but felt that some perspective might be useful.
First, the actual number of people coming through the doors of Mahoning libraries has been going up; not down. It will be about 1.2 million people in 09; an 10% increase. That's about 3 times the total attendance at the Canfield Fair. Find out why libraries are seeing such large growth in use by checking out the library's website.
When it comes to discussing taxes and library service, know how much people actually pay in taxes for the library. In Mahoning libraries cost the owner of a property appraised at $100,000 about $2.97 a month. It's listed at near the very bottom of the tax bill; one of the lowest items. It's 1.5% of the total on mine. Libraries in Ohio also receive a 1.97% of State income and sales taxes. The amount has been gradually shrinking since 2000. But it wasn't until this year that people took note.
So what does a person get for their investment? Several states have done economic studies of this and found the ROI to be $4 to $7 for each $1 invested.
Most people don't know it but libraries in Mahoning are recognized when it comes to generating non-tax funds to support operations. Here are just two example. An honor-based system of selling donated books from carts operated by a team of volunteers raises $20,000+ a year. The money helps pay for the summer reading program. 4,900 children participated in it this summer. They read 33,000 hours. Cafes and meeting rooms have raised about half a million dollars since founded just a few years ago.
Libraries in Mahoning are also known for working collaboratively. In December the library here is being recognized nationally for an endeavor with 23 other organizations that over the past 2 years has brought back to Mahoning over $5 million in tax credits.
I mention all this simply to point out that there is a lot more to the library than most people think. If you look below the surface you'll find the library is intricately engaged in ways that are not often fully realized. As people discuss the library, it would be a good idea to learn more. You can do so at the library or on its website.
Mr. Sears, Thank you for your input - and for all that you do to lead the library system. I know that the library does a great deal with what it is given. Some of us are just hoping to brainstorm some more money saving or money generating ideas.
That is correct, most of us. Thank God there still are progressive people who pound away everyday to try to make our community a better place than when they found it.
That being said, the Vindy.com should and can demand that the few who engage in the unproductive mudslinging not hide behind pseudonyms to trade in their product.
Here, Mr. Sears has set an example.
Thank you for your comments, Mr. Sears.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is an invaluable partner to schools throughout the Valley.
Some of their assistance in extending learning beyond the 3:00 p.m. bell include:
Reading programs, as Mr. Sears mentioned.
Partnership with the City Schools to make teachers and teaching aids available in city libraries as homework helpers. This program is currently being established and will be up and running soon.
Anyone using the internet is familiar with articles and books that are not fully available without expensive subscriptions. The library offers the full text of articles and books researchers need. Advanced library users are aware that the library has partners that will provide materials that our library does not own.
Mr. Sears and the library board have agreed, at least temporarily, to revisit the plan to close library branches such as the West Side Branch that have been a vital link for students that attend the schools in those neighborhoods. This response to community concerns should be recognized. At least in the neighborhoods where library access was threatened, citizens have realized the value of the library as something they are willing to raise funds for.