Ohio libraries look to tax levies for relief

CINCINNATI (AP) - State funding cuts are pushing a record number of Ohio's public libraries to seek local tax levies as they struggle to keep branches open and avoid cutting services that patrons are using more than ever.

At least 38 of the state's 251 systems have levies on the Nov. 3 ballot - the highest number at one time in the 30 years the Ohio Library Council has kept records. The council says the recession and legislative cuts have led to an overall funding drop of about 20 percent from $450 million in 2008 to almost $367 million this year...