Loveland Magazine

Michael Joseph Jackson August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Photos From the Loveland Save Our Library Rally

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds Rally to Save Loveland Library

Ohio Budget Vote Target of Protest

LOVELAND, OHIO – Impassioned, moms and dads, grandparents, teachers, writers, book lovers, and children answered the call on Wednesday to rally at the Loveland Library. The rally cry: "Save our Library." A state budget that Governor Strickland has proposed, will cut 50% of Public Library Funding. The budget is scheduled for a vote early next week.

The crowd was urged to immediately contact leaders in Columbus to express their concerns.

Warren McClellan, a former Loveland Intermediate School principal said that upon his retirement, he set a goal for himself to read 1,000 books. He was at the rally with his grandson and said many of the books already on his list are children's books from the Loveland Library that he reads to his grandchildren.

Mary Rose Stiver is a retired Loveland elementary school teacher. She said that she remembers well - taking children from the school across the street to the Loveland Library. She described the excitement of the children when they received their first library card and carried their first library books back across the street returning to their class room. “I'm really disappointed in Governor Strickland that he would take funds from the library – something that older people, younger people need these days.” Stiver said that her tax money wasn't going to the things that she thinks it should go to. “I am very upset.”

“Do you know what it means for a six-year-old to get their first library card? They treasured that. Took care of the books. Coming here will be something they will always be proud of. And, I'm a senior citizen - I come here to read the papers, magazines. I come here to read everything.”

Laurie Smith grew up in Loveland and graduated from Loveland High School. She is an Athletic Trainer by profession, but a stay at home mom now. She was at the rally with her neighbor and all of their children. “I grew up in Loveland and obviously used the library as a  student, but now as a parent, I come to the library, sometimes on a weekly basis, and use a lot of the programs and services they provide for children. Smith said she got her first library card on the trips her class took across the street to the Loveland Library, and said that this morning she was thinking about the summer reading programs. “That was really cool for my brother and I during the summer.” She also said she remember the “story times.”

Kelly Kennedy-Hardy nows lives in Falls Church Virginia, but is back home in Loveland for a visit. Kennedy-Hardy worked at the Loveland Branch as a teen in the early '90's. She said her mother and all of her brothers and sisters have also worked at the Loveland branch.

“It was great. We got to work with a lot of kids you wouldn't normally get to know in school, and the adults were great because they were used to having all of the kids around. She said it was a good place to learn how to work and be a good employee. My mom always took us to the library, and we'd get lots of books – we read all through our growing up. Now I walk into the libraries in Washington D.C. And they are nothing like they are here. None of the libraries compare to this library at all. I come back to the library all the time, when I am here to visit.”

According to Phyllis Hegner, Community Relations Manager for the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, if library funding is cut, as early as September, the Cincinnati area could see, up to 20 of 40 branch libraries closed, “Dramatic” reduction in Main Library hours, 250 jobs lost, computer access reduced by over 30%, fewer new materials available, elimination of services to residents of all ages, fewer children's programs, and less qualified staff.

Read a statement on how Ohio's libraries are funded and cuts already made by the Cincinnati and Hamilton County system.

Click for information on contacting the State office holders. You can call or email your objections to the Governor and six members of the Conference Committee as well as your legislators. The budget decision must be made by June 30.

Click on the video below, recorded by the Library staff, to hear personal testimonies at yesterday's rally.

The "Great Conversation" Will Cease to Exist

 A comment on the possible closure of Loveland Library

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

As an author and writer, I find the library absolutely essential to my work.  If it were not available as a resource, writing credible books and articles would be impossible.  If we close libraries and cut services, our ability to continue the "Great Conversation" will cease to exist, or at least exist as we know it.  It will no longer be a conversation, but a monologue.  One voice will be heard, and it will be the voice of the elite, those able to purchase resources to write.  Before long, not only will writers suffer, but our society will as well.

As a mother, I have seen how the library is the main reason that my children are literate.  Schools and parents simply cannot fund the purchase of the amount of books necessary to help a child become a fluent reader.  Children become fluent readers (and able writers) through hours of practice reading new material.  Children quickly memorize the books they own, and reading them, while enjoyable, is not the type of practice that brings fluency.  I have also seen how the library creates an environment for my children to learn the topics they are interested in, and has turned them into life long learners.

As a citizen of Hamilton County, I have seen my librarians help the unemployed research job options, create resumes and acquire skills necessary to obtain a job.  I have seen them help the elderly learn to use computers and access services, as well as how to navigate the Internet without being taken advantage of.  I have seen them help children, both with supportive families and those with no family willing to help them, research projects for school. 

The library is not a luxury, it is essential. 

A Free Public Library = Free Lifetime Learning =  Freethinking Literate Engaged Citizens! 

Deborah Amend

(Deborah Amend is a stay-at-home mom with 5 children (ages 5-12), some of whom are adopted and some of whom have physical special needs, and "all of whom are pretty nifty", she says.)

Read more HERE about the possibility of losing the Loveland Branch Library and what you can do.

Follow Loveland's News and Events on Twitter

Robin Lacy & DeZydeco in Loveland Sunday

LOVELAND, OHIO – The six-piece group, Robin Lacy & DeZydeco, that includes the accordion, saxophone and rubboard found mainly in the Zydeco and Cajun-styled bands of Southwest Louisiana will play in Roger Nisbet Park on Sunday at 6 PM.

Along with traditional Zydeco, roots rock 'n' roll, blues and classic country covers,  the band plays a number of original songs featured on their latest recordings.

Roger Nisbet Park is along the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown Loveland, along the State and National Scenic River, the Little Miami. (MAP)

Loveland's Annual 4th of July Parade & Celebration

LOVELAND, OHIO – The city's Annual 4th of July Parade and Celebration will begin at 7 PM followed by music with the Classic Rock band Euphoria at 8 PM. The parade route will be along Loveland Madeira Road starting at the Primary School and along West Loveland Avenue heading to Historic Downtown.

Fireworks will be set off at 10 PM.

This photo by David Miller was taken during last year's fireworks.

You can view photos from last year's parade by clicking on the photo.

State News

Lawmakers inundated with budget pleas.

Lawmakers inundated with budget pleas Stiff battle for state funds sends special-interest lobbying into overdrive

Nursing homes skilled at securing aid.

At a time when nearly every state-funded service is threatened by a worsening budget crisis, Ohio's influential nursing-home industry appeared to have successfully lobbied for an additional $1.2 billion in state and federal aid over the next four years.

Akron offers free Internet access.

Free public wireless Internet access made its debut in downtown Akron yesterday. The first phase of what will soon be a 10-square-mile wireless network went live at 11 a.m. So far, it covers about 1 square mile along a stretch of S. Main Street in the center of downtown.

Anti-terror funds may have been misused by Ohio police chiefs group.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police amassed almost $3 million in questionable payroll spending and its executive director likely overpaid himself by at least $800,000, according to an independent accounting review of federal anti-terrorism grants administered by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Assisted Suicide Suspected In Woman's Death - WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio's News Leader.

ATHENS, Ohio — Investigators are trying to determine if a national assisted-suicide group came to Ohio to help an Athens County woman end her life.

What’s On My Food?

What’s On My Food? is a searchable database designed to make the public problem of pesticide exposure visible and more understandable. Click here to see what's on YOUR food.

Smog Alert Issued for Wednesday

LOVELAND, OHIO - The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services has issued a Smog Alert for the Loveland, Ohio area for today.

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Refuel after 8pm, conserve electricity, don't idle vehicle engines & avoid use of gas lawn equipment.

Loveland Branch to Hold “Save Our Libraries” Rally on Wednesday

20 of 40 Libraries May Close

LOVELAND, OHIO – Phyllis Hegner, Community Relations Manager for the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County said, “Hundreds of people are expected to turn out tomorrow,” at the Loveland Library at 649 Loveland-Madeira Road. She said the rally is in support of "saving our libraries" from the Governor's proposed budget cuts.

The rally is a call to action because of Governor Ted Strickland's proposal to cut 50 per-cent from state library funding. Hegner said, “That amounts, to a 50% slash to public library funding, which is the primary funding source for public libraries in Ohio.” She expects a budget decision will be made by the end of the month.

Joan Luebering, Loveland Branch Manager said she did not know if the Loveland Branch would be closed if the proposed budget cuts go forward. “A lot of factors will go into that decision, depending on whether or not the buildings are owned or leased, circulation numbers, and a branch's proximity to other branches. The Loveland library leases space in the Shoppers Haven center, however is close to Symmes, and Madeira libraries, both of which are in stand alone buildings. “I can tell you that I hope it is not closed.” said Luebering.

She said that Loveland is eleventh most used out of the 40 branches and added that Loveland has a high percentage of “print circulation” compared to other branches; meaning that people use the Loveland library to take out more books as compared to videos and audio tapes. She said the print circulation was second highest in the system.

Luebering said, hundreds of children from the Loveland Primary and Elementary schools use her branch during the school year. The Loveland Library is just across the street from the two schools. She said she has been in contact with Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Boys and even though school is not in session has talked to many teachers. “The teachers I have talked to are horrified at the prospect of this branch closing.” She also said that hundreds of local children are currently participating in a summer reading program which she described as a “huge success so far.”

According to Hegner, if library funding is cut, as early as September, the Cincinnati area could see, up to 20 of 40 branch libraries closed, “Dramatic” reduction in Main Library hours, 250 jobs lost, computer access reduced by over 30%, fewer new materials available, elimination of services to residents of all ages, fewer children's programs, and less qualified staff.

Luebering said that since 2000, the Cincinnati and Hamilton County library system has seen a 25 per-cent reduction in funding from the state, and have already cut over 100 jobs. Hours of operation and spending for technology, “Which our patrons expect”, have also been limited.

The budget decision is expected next week according to Luebering.

The rally will be at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 24.

Click for information on contacting the State office holders. You can call or email your objections to the Governor and six members of the Conference Committee as well as your legislators. The budget decision must be made by June 30.

State Sen. Robert Schuler dies at 66

State Sen. Robert Schuler dies at 66.