Connecting People… Connecting People…

to the World of Ideas and Informationto the World of Ideas and Information

Our Library Is A MajorOur Library Is A Major CommunityCommunity Asset Asset

Busiest Main Library in the countryAmong 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

Key Metrics: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

Library Use Is Continuing To GrowLibrary Use Is Continuing To Grow

Reference questions, computer use, visits, program attendance also up

12,500,000

13,000,000

13,500,000

14,000,000

14,500,000

15,000,000

15,500,000

16,000,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Circulation

Supporting Education And The Supporting Education And The EconomyEconomy

Workforce EducationKindergarten ReadinessAcademic SuccessSmall Business Development

Value For Money: Southwestern Value For Money: Southwestern Ohio’s ROI In Public LibrariesOhio’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

Drop in Primary FundingDrop in Primary Funding

Need and use growing

Primary funding decreasing

28% drop since 2000

19% drop since 2008

No Local FundingNo Local Funding

No property taxes

No financial support from Hamilton

County, the City of Cincinnati or any

Hamilton County cities or villages

Public Library FundPublic 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

Cost Containment Measures Cost Containment Measures Since 2000Since 2000

Reduced:• hours of operation by 10%• staff positions by 20%• employee benefits

Cancelled capital projects & maintenanceReorganized Main Library to save $1

million

Since 2000Since 2000

Library circulation increased by 17%Library operating cost grew by 15%Inflation grew by 25%

State funding dropped by 28%

Surviving 2009Surviving 2009

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

Annual Budget GapAnnual Budget Gap

Current gap between need and income is over $14 million

Gap in 2010 is $16-30 million

Local FundingLocal Funding

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

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

Local Funding ComparisonLocal Funding Comparison

Countywide 1 Mill Tax LevyCountywide 1 Mill Tax Levy

Generates $20 million annually$2.50 per month/$100,000 of property valueFunds basic operating expenses, cost of

meeting growing demand and maintenance of Library facilities

Citizens For Your Library’s Citizens For Your Library’s FutureFuture

Campaign budget $500,000

Pledged/donated $250,000

Expect no organized opposition

We Will Be Forced To Cut Vital We Will Be Forced To Cut Vital ServicesServices If We Do Not Secure A We Do Not Secure A

Steady Source Of Funding:Steady Source Of Funding:

Further reductions in hours of operationFurther reductions in staff15-20 branch libraries closedFurther reductions in new books and other

materialsServices and programs cutCountywide impact

New Funding Would Allow The New Funding Would Allow The Library To: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

Community Attitude Survey Community Attitude Survey Shows Strong SupportShows 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

In Closing…In Closing…

The Library is a valuable community assetMust diversify funding and reduce

dependence on State taxesMany cuts have already been madeNow in survival modeLevy failure would be devastatingLevy success keeps Library doors open