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Sherwood/Hicksville Libraries

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September 30, 2009

Well, where do I begin? Fair? Unfair? Does anyone realize which library is used more per capita then the other? Believe it or not, it is not the "main" branch. It is Sherwood, then Hicksville, then Defiance. Ask Marilyn Hite how the surveys turned out. 10-1 she will not know, and if she does, shame on her for not going with what the actual public needed!
Our libraries are invaluable to our students, seniors, unemployeed, etc. Not to mentions those how use it for the pleasure of reading.
Our Students need the library for research, internet access (since schools are required to give internet related assignments). Students without a computer and/or internet access would inevitably fail these assignments.
The seniors and others which are homebound would lose their ability to get materials to keep them in touch with there community, shame!
The unemployed whom can only get unemployment through the internet, that's the way it is done now, would not be able to receive there income or look for work on-line as a result of losing time at the library.
So many needs to be fulfilled you would think that the Defiance Library would have taking the time to actually go over the the surveys which THEY requested and find the greatest needs and then take action accordingly. 30% cut, we all will see that cut but lets see a more equal cut across the board. It was not done with the thoughts of the publics needs. It was done out of selfishness of the people in charge of the Defiance Library. I vote we fire them and get someone who cares! By the way, just who got that last levy passed? Was it Defiance, certianly not! It was the extreme dedication of the patrons of the Hicksville, and Sherwood Libraries. Talk about cutting off the hand that feeds you!

posted by debarkman

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8.	Posted by windrider3 October 22, 2009
	Thank you for the renegotiating and additional library hours in Sherwood and Hicksville! Jaci Underwood Hicksville

7.	Posted by bgerencser October 15, 2009
	It is not about feelings. It is about economics. I understand the importance of a local library. I understand the passion that people have. I also know there are only so many dollars. Cuts have to be made. So far I have not read any solutions. Just don't cut Sherwood and Hicksville. What are the alternatives? What do you want cut at the main branch so the Sherwood and Hicksville branches can remain as they are? Be specific. Whose job? What service? What reductions are you willing to make at the main library? Justify keeping open a branch that serves only 8% of library patrons. Since Sherwood and Hicksville are so close together why not close the smaller of the two? Yes, this would be inconvenient but it makes economic sense. I have no doubts this has been discussed and the reduction of hours at both branches was the compromise. So again...........what specific cuts do you want the main library to make? One other side of the issue I would like to know the dollar amount for the cuts being made at Sherwood and Hicksville? I can be persuaded to change my mind on this issue but attacking the library board and appeals to sentimentality won't do it. This is an economic issue and there needs to be an economic answer. I have no axe to grind and no dog in this fight. I don't know any of the personalities involved. My only concern is that we have a stable, functioning library in Defiance County. My family uses the library on a weekly basis. We know how important it is.

6.	Posted by gobuckeyes2007 October 13, 2009
	bgerencser, There was a levy passed in 2007 so you're already paying a tax levy because you live in the county of Defiance. The whole inter library loan for books is great for all 3 locations. Many people use it at home and come into the libraries to place holds also! I am sorry you feel the way you do about the library cuts! Maybe you should stop in at the Sherwood and Hicksville libraries to see how nice they are and how much they help their small communities! Those cuts will affect both communities very much and there have been staff members that already have lost their jobs and some have been there for 20 plus years!!!

5.	Posted by Arloa October 12, 2009
	We voted for that tax levy to keep our libraries open! The levy was to keep the doors open, the lights on, and the libraries open and serving our communities. With 75% cuts in Sherwood, 43% cuts in Hicksville, and just 18% cuts in Defiance, it looks like the levy was to keep Defiance open. So for those of us in the rest of the county, why did we vote for the levy at all? It certainly wasn't for library service in Sherwood or Hicksville.

4.	Posted by melhinkle October 9, 2009
	In reference to if Sherwood & Hicksville residents want to pay additional taxes to keep our libraries open.. A levy was on the ballot in 2007 for library funding. This levy failed in the city of Defiance, but it was passed in the county areas. The people that passed the $500,000 levy are patrons of Sherwood & Hicksville libraries. So, we already did agree to more taxes for our libraries.

3.	Posted by bgerencser October 8, 2009
	Over 50% of the county population lives in the Defiance area. Using your logic I could argue that the Ney Supermarket is needed more than Meijer. Per capita, more Ney residents use the Ney Supermarket than Defiance residents use Meijer. The smallness of the sample set makes such comparisons invalid. Cuts have to come from somewhere. It is sad that cuts must be made, but........that's just how it is. Most people now have internet access or have a relative or fiend that does. While library internet access is nice to have it isn't essential. While I realize the value that residents of Sherwood and Hicksville place on having their own library........it makes good economic sense to reduce the hours and expenses at the smaller, least used libraries. The main library has had to make cuts too.........and it is vitally important that the main library is staffed and maintained. The library offers a wonderful statewide book loan service. This service allows rural patrons to get most any book they need. This is an option that Hickville/Sherwood residents could avail themselves to. It is unfortunate that you think the library directors "don't care" and should be "shamed." How could you know this? Just because they didn't do what you wanted? More money is needed? Are we willing to support a tax increase so Sherwood and Hicksville can return to full hours? It takes money to operate a library system. The money must come from US. Bruce Gerencser Ney

2.	Posted by Arloa October 8, 2009
	I am a frequent library user at the Johnson Memorial Library in Hicksville. And I think that this cutting of the hours is unjust and unfair through the patriots of the library. People, like me who do not own computers, where are we to go? The other services that are given to the community of Hicksville through the library will be tragically affected by this proposal. Thank you!

1.	Posted by melhinkle October 1, 2009
	You are completely correct! I just hope that the people that make these decisions will see things like this and reconsider the mistake that they have made.