Getting funding for public libraries is a huge concern after last year’s state budget cuts. Library leaders are trying to get political support.

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library held a Candidate Information Day Wednesday. The goal is to convince lawmakers and those running for office that library funding should be a top priority.

Budget numbers are down, but the number of people using Toledo-Lucas County libraries is up, including checking out books, using computers, and even movies and video games. Linda Murray of the Ohio Library Council says, “it used to be just books. We do a lot of programming. We do a lot of help in early literacy and helping people find jobs online. Not everybody has a computer at home, not everybody has high speed internet.”

Ohio legislators cut public library funds 31-percent this year forcing cuts in both staff and operating hours. Next year could be just as bad. Murray says, “Well, we know that we’ve got a probably even larger budget gap. I think it’s a little early to tell the size of it and how things are going to go.”

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