The Guernsey County District Public Library -- and library systems across the state -- stand to take a major hit if a budget proposal by Gov. Ted Strickland takes effect.

Strickland's latest proposal calls for library funding to be cut by $112.5 million in Fiscal Year 2010 (which begins in July) and by $114.8 million in Fiscal Year 2011, according to wire reports and a local library official.

The governor announced the proposal last week.

"The governor threw us a curve ball on Friday," said Rich Goodwin, director of the Guernsey County District Public Library.

"Our funding could literally be half the 2008 level," he said.

The local libraries, which include... Read Story