[OPLINLIST] Sent on behalf of Jo Budler - State Library Budget Update

[Ashlee Clark]

As you know, the KnowItNow 24/7 virtual reference service is currently
funded with LSTA funding.  That funding is scheduled to stop on June 30,
2007.  The State Library Board determined that a budget appeal should be
made to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management.  This appeal was made
on August 31st.  

Yesterday I learned that the appeal has been denied, i.e. the budget
request will not be forwarded for funding consideration.  

This means that we are back at square one, asking ourselves how to fund
this service which does benefit all Ohioans.  It is heavily used.  More
importantly, when those who use it are asked to evaluate it, their
responses are positive.   

Just wanted to let you all know the status of the budget appeal as I had
given you the date of Sept. 1 as the notification date (but we were not
notified until yesterday).  It is a disappointment but as was pointed
out in the letter from OBM, the only appeals being considered are for
"extraordinary" services.  While these "extraordinary" services were not
defined, it is probably safe to assume that these are Medicare, mental
health services, education.

Jo

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Jo Budler, State Librarian
State Library of Ohio 
274 East First Ave, Suite 100, Columbus, OH  43201
Phone:  614-644-6843; 800-686-1532 (Ohio only)
Fax: 614-466-3584
http://winslo.state.oh.us
"The State Library of Ohio provides services and resources to assist
state government and libraries in providing the best service to all."