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STEUBENVILLE - Librarians and their staff workers are by nature quiet people.

But Director Alan Hall and the employees of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County are asking area residents to join them in a verbal protest aimed at saving their jobs and library services.

According to Hall, Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed 2010-11 biennium budget will cut public library funding by 50 percent.

That will mean five branch libraries will have to be closed in "Adena, Brilliant, Dillonvale, Tiltonsville and Toronto. The Bookmobile service will be eliminated, 35 employees will be laid off and hours at the main library as well as the Schiappa branch library will be curtailed," said Hall.

"We are asking our library patrons and everyone in Jefferson County who supports our libraries to act at once. We have been told that a decision on this budget and our library funding may be made by Thursday. So there is no time to write letters. We need residents to telephone or e-mail Gov. Strickland and our local representatives as soon as possible," stated Hall.

"We learned about the proposed cuts to public libraries at approximately 6 p.m. Friday and are working to persuade state officials that these cuts will do serious harm to the public library system in Ohio," said Hall.

Ironically the governor's plan to reduce funding for public libraries comes at a time when library usage is on the increase.

"During my 37 years working in libraries I have seen an increase every time the economy is suffering.

"We have been busier than ever in recent months with people using our computers. We have actually had to reserve computer time during certain times of the day. We are also part of a 73-library system that provides our users with access to six million items, including DVDs, books and newspapers," Hall said.

Hall said Strickland's office number is (614) 466-3555 and his fax number is (614) 466-9354.

"We are also encouraging residents to write or fax a letter to state Rep. John Domenick at his direct line at (614) 466-3735 or his fax number at (614) 719-6995. Residents can also call state Sen. Jason Wilson at (614) 466-6508 or e-mail Wilson at senatorwilson@maild.sen.oh.us," said Hall.

Wilson, D-Columbiana, said late Monday he considers libraries "essential to our communities."

"Libraries help people bridge the gap in economic hard times. I tell people we can find all of the answers in our libraries.

"Library funding should be one of the last things to be cut. We should be supporting libraries and not cutting them," said Wilson.

And Domenick, D-Smithfield, said Monday he will oppose any cuts to library funding.

"We have to make up the state deficit, and I have proposed a 1 percent sales tax that would have a sunset date in a year or two. But the library funding is tied into the gambling issue. I am opposed to legalizing gambling but if that's what it takes to maintain the library funding, I may have to revisit legalized gambling at the horse racetracks in our state," announced Domenick.

"The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County depends solely on state funding as do 70 percent of the state's libraries in order to fund operations," added Hall.

Jennifer Cesta, public relations coordinator for the county libraries, said an emergency meeting of the library's board of trustees has been set for noon Wednesday at the main library on South Fourth Street.

"We will be updating the trustees on the status of the governor's proposed budget as well as what actions we are planning to take," noted Cesta.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)