Trending
Editor, News-Register:
To be clear, the loss of $300,000 for the Ohio County Public Library cut by the Ohio County Board of Education did have an impact on many levels of library activities, although all may not be noted by the public. For the first time in many years, the employees did not receive a cost of living raise. Being opened on Sunday was eliminated and Saturday hours as well as evening hours were cut back. The materials budget was reduced and programming also was reduced.
The library building is 50 years old and counting, so a lot can break down and be in need of repair. A structure of that size may call for hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance -- for example a roof leak, a wall repair, heating and air conditioning malfunctions, plumbing issues, etc. It is necessary, and of course would be irresponsible not to maintain sufficient funds to cover such needs.
I have always felt our public library has been run in an efficient and responsible manner. Losing that significant amount of money did impact the institution. Hopefully it will not happen again but can be restored to its traditional level.
Margaret Brennan
Wheeling