A final push is taking place this week to save public libraries in Ohio from state budget cuts.
On Monday, Ohio lawmakers agreed to pass a seven day interim budget. This gives more time for supporters to contact state leaders about the impact libraries have on their community
Before coming to the Mason Public Library on Monday, mother of two Jacqui Knox contacted Ohio Governor Ted Strickland's office to voice her objection to the proposed cuts at libraries.
For Knox, the library means quality family time.
"We do come here at least once a week for him to get a new book and its a free family outing even. You know it's time for us to come together and read the books," said Knox.
Governor Strickland's proposal calls for a 30 percent cut from library budgets on top of the 20 percent cut libraries took at the beginning of the year.
"Fifty percent is catastrophic. Twenty percent we are gritting our teeth and we are managing to get through hoping for better times but I don't know if we will be able to deal with 50 percent," said Linda Swartzel, Waynesville Library Director.
On Monday, 9News spoke with four of the five library directors in Warren County about what the cuts would mean to their communities.
"Franklin Springboro has two buildings and it is possible one of them could close completely," said Anita Carroll, Franklin-Springboro.
"This year is Salem Township public library's 125th anniversary and then when you think about cutting every bit of program or whatever is in place by 50 percent whether or not we will be able to survive or not," said Jerri Short, of the Salem Township Public Library.
Most public libraries in Ohio are funded by the state so the proposed budget cuts could lead to even more layoffs, cutback in hours and not as many new materials available. This comes at a time when demand for services is growing.
"With the economy in general being so bad, the demands put on all of us have just skyrocketed," said Sarah Brown, Mason Public Library Director.
