Look back on 2009

We all get a bit nostalgic this time of year... we look back and try to remember the paths our lives have taken. For the library, 2009 was one of the most significant years in the history of the Paulding County Carnegie Library system.

We began the year concerned about our state funding. Our first attempt at passing a library levy failed in November of 2008. We knew cuts had to be made, but we still wanted to keep our library services strong.

The main library offered a number of free computer classes during the first half of the year. These classes taught everything from basic typing (or keyboarding) skills to beginning computer classes, to selling items on EBay. The computer classes continue to be very popular.

February, the month of love and romance, brought the first "Singles Mingle" night at the library. This event drew over a dozen single adults who laughed, visited and overall had a grand time at the library. Who knows? Maybe we'll make some "love connections" this next year!

Annual programs such as Battle of the Books and the Summer Reading events continued to be well-attended and very popular. The main library and branches also sponsored a number of special events and author visits.

In June, the funding picture for Ohio's libraries turned grim. The Governor of Ohio announced on a Friday afternoon, that library funding may be cut again, resulting in an almost 50% cut for the year (revenue had already been down by 20% and another 30% cut was on the table.) Ohio's library lovers mobilized and responded in historic proportions to legislators and the Governor. Our additional cuts were reduced to 11% for a total of 31% for the Paulding library system.

The Board had already made the decision to try another levy in the fall. Now, passage of the levy was more crucial than ever. A strong political action committee was formed and consisted of library lovers and supporters from throughout the county. On November 3, 2009, the fruits of their labor was realized with the passage of the library levy by the narrow margin of 23 votes. This was significant and unprecedented in Paulding County. All other local levies on the ballot were defeated by as much as 2,000 votes.

So now, as we prepare to enter a new year and a new decade, we have a renewed sense of purpose. The board of trustees will continue to be cautious and conservative in planning for the future. But, we will have the funding available to replace and upgrade computers, purchase new materials and bring the library hours back to what they were before the cut.

Please, support your local public library -- and in return, your library will support you. Your library will help save you money on books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, etc. Visit your library often in 2010. Happy Reading!