A crowd gathered outside the Loveland Library Wednesday to send the message that library funding should not be cut by the State of Ohio.
The group chanted and held signs against Governor Ted Strickland's proposal to cut library funding by 30 percent to balance the state's budget.
If that proposal passes, people who run the Public Libraries of Cincinnati and Hamilton County say it will destroy their library system.
The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Libraries do not receive levy money to operate.
Library leaders say they've already been forced to cut about 20 percent. The proposal would leave them to function on 50 percent less than what they once had.
Library officials say 20 of their 40 branches would have to close.
There would be a dramatic reduction in hours, fewer new materials and 250 jobs would be cut. Plus, services like children's programs, would be cut.
People came from all over the city to show their concern.
Deb Amend of Colerain Township brought her five children to the rally. She is worried about the repercussions of the cuts.
Amend says if children don't have libraries in their neighborhood they'll have no place to go and could end up getting into trouble.
Amend plans to take her children to Columbus on Thursday for a rally at the State Capital building.
The budget decision must be made by Tuesday.
