Income Based Repayment of Student Loans

Students burdened with hefty federal student loan repayments should check out IBR, an income based repayment program.

Save Ohio Libraries: Updates and Contact Information

Information concerning the ongoing budget negotiations can be found at the Save Ohio Libraries website http://saveohiolibraries.com/

From this link you can also find contact information for Governor Strickland and your local representatives.

Ohio Library Funding Crisis

From the Ohio Library Council, 6/24/2009

Why are Ohio public libraries in trouble?

At a news conference on Friday, June 19, the Governor proposed a cut to state funding for public libraries of $227.3 million in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 as part of his plan to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that must be balanced by the Ohio General Assembly's Conference Committee by June 30.

The proposal amounts to a 30% cut in funding for Ohio's public libraries. This cut is in addition to the 20% reduction in funding that libraries are already facing, because their funding comes from 2.22% of the state's declining General Revenue Fund.

Libraries could close or face significant reductions in operations as a result of the Governor's proposal. With some 70% of the state's 251 public libraries relying solely on state funding to fund their operations, the reduction in funding will mean that many will close branches or drastically reduce hours and services.

The Governor's proposed funding cuts come at a time when Ohio's public libraries are experiencing unprecedented increases in demands for services. In every community throughout the state, Ohioans are turning to their public library for free high speed Internet access and help with employment searches, children and teens are beginning summer reading programs, and people of all ages are turning to the library as a lifeline during these difficult economic times. Ohio's public libraries offer CRITICAL services to those looking for jobs and operating small businesses. Public libraries are an integral part of education, which Governor Strickland says is critical to the state's economic recovery. But it is unlikely that many of Ohio's public library systems, especially those without local levies, can remain open with these proposed cuts.

About 30% of Ohio's public libraries have local property tax levies that supplement the state's funding. However, with the Governor's proposed drastic cuts in the state funding for libraries, even those libraries will face decisions regarding substantial reductions in hours of operation, materials, and staffing.

Dating Service Dilemas

Behaving Like Adults: A Novel by Anna Maxted

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Light summer fare by NPR's Anna Maxted.


View all my reviews.

Garden Plant Exchange

On June 17th our library held its first community Garden Plant Exchange. Despite being forced indoors because of a summer downpour, the exchange was well attended. Participants brought a large variety of plants and herbs to the program, including hen and chicks, lemon balm, honeysuckle vine, chives, brown-eyed Susans, coneflowers and others. A bulb exchange has been planned for this coming fall 0n September 21st.

Event photos courtesy of Karen Armstrong

Light Summer Reading from NPR's Anna Maxted

Being Committed: A Novel by Anna Maxted

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good summer read.


View all my reviews.

7th Annual Oscar Contest Complete

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Oscar Contest! We seemed to have more correct answers this year than ever before, so Newton Falls folks must know their stuff! You can view the award winners' acceptance speeches online here on the Academy's "Thank You Cam."

Library patrons entered the contest by trying to predict the winner in 10 categories. The categories and the winner in each category are as follows:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Best Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Costume Design: The Dutchess
Best Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Of the 91 patrons who entered, three predicted 6 of 10 answers correctly:
Diane Harrison
Angelo Pagano
Betty Schilling

Seven predicted 7 of 10 answers correctly:
Roger Casedy
Marilyn King
Christie Moore
Julie Sideropolis (NFPL Staff winner)
Matthew Taylor
Stephanie Turney
Susan Zaborsky

Two predicted 8 of 10 answers correctly:
Chad English
Paula Jones

And one lone patron answered all ten answers correctly! Twenty dollars of movie money for the Regal Cinema in Niles goes to.......
Eve Schroll!!