Feature Stories |
By Mandy Knapp, Librarian, Worthington Libraries
 SaveOhioLibraries.com is a grassroots effort that promotes library funding issues and involves librarians and library supporters across the state of Ohio who maintain the site. The impetus for launching this site was born on Friday, June 19, when Governor Strickland proposed a budget that would cut public library funding in the state of Ohio by 50%. Recognizing that libraries might also benefit from a single portal for advocacy and information sharing, I purchased the domain name http://saveohiolibraries.com.
Chris Thompson, a freelance web designer, agreed to host the site on his server and assisted me in putting up a basic website. On June 22, Laura Solomon, Library Services Manager at OPLIN, assisted me with the website by giving it a more professional look. Since then, members of the Ohio library community and I continue to maintain the site, keeping in communication with the Ohio Library Council to keep a consistent message.
Since its launch, SaveOhioLibraries.com has had a substantial impact. By using SaveOhioLibraries to advocate and organize, the Ohio library community was able to restore 147 million dollars to libraries in Ohio’s budget. The site’s fame spread beyond Ohio as well. It was mentioned by the national media, including Consumerist magazine, celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, and Library Journal. It has also been mentioned by bloggers in Sweden and librarians in Ireland as well as throughout the U.S. library community.
In September, Laura Solomon remodeled the website to promote those public libraries that went on the ballot for a levy or bond issue. Recognizing that not every library has the funds and resources to have their own web presence for their levy issue, I offered a web presence on SaveOhioLibraries.com to promote their campaigns. On election day, Ohioans supported their libraries and 81% of those libraries on the ballot passed their levy.
 We communicate with the public in a number of different ways. In addition to the SaveOhiolibraries.com website, which continues to be updated and maintained as new stories arise, we’ve used social networks, primarily Facebook & Twitter, to spread important messages. For instance, if you have library news to share on Twitter, you can use the hashtag #saveohiolibraries to make it easier to search and group these shared news pieces or ‘tweets’ as they are commonly known. On Facebook, we have a group of approximately sixty thousand members to share news, ideas, and updates. Further, we actively collect stories, photos and videos contributed by librarians from around the state on the importance of libraries and library services to post on the website. In fact, if you have a story to share, please email me at saveohiolibraries@yahoo.com.
SaveOhioLibraries.com plans to remodel the website during the first quarter of 2010. Currently, we’re soliciting feedback on a remodeled Save Ohio Libraries website. Any member of the public who has an interest in Ohio libraries is welcome to take the following survey on the website redesign: http://tinyurl.com/saveOH.
The need for library advocacy continues in this tough economy. *At the time of this writing, a bill –H.B. 318—is before the Ohio Senate. If it is not passed, we will see revenue reductions not only for libraries, but also for K-12 schools, higher education, health and human services, local governments, children’s services and other agencies. SaveOhioLibraries.com will continue to post new information to the website as our legislators work on this bill and others.
Although times are hard, I am so very proud of my fellow Ohio librarians and to be working in this fine state. I know that you are working each day to provide a vital service to your community. Thank you all for your help on SaveOhioLibraries.com and for working to make Ohio strong!
*NOTE: HB 318 passed and the state budget was signed by Governor Strickland on December 22, 2009.
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