Libraries in Sunbury in Delaware County and West Jefferson in Madison County also are on the ballot for the first time.

Among 37 library-tax issues on the ballot statewide, 28 are requests for new levies -- including 18 from first-timers.

The libraries are seeking local help to make up for dwindling state funding.

"This is by far the most we've ever had on a single ballot since we began keeping records in 1980," said Doug Evans, executive director of the Ohio Library Council. "This is a direct reflection of the decrease in state library funding."

Libraries depend on a certain percentage of state tax revenue. Overall state tax collection is down because of the economy, though, so the percentage distributed to libraries is down, too.

In addition, under the two-year budget that began July 1, the libraries' take of state tax revenue dropped from 2.22 percent to 1.97 percent.

"Libraries are getting a smaller piece of a smaller pie," Evans said.

The effect has been to drive the libraries to the local ballot in droves.

The average library-levy passage rate per year has been about 78 percent from 1980 through May of this year, Evans said.

Virtually all 251 public-library systems in Ohio have already reduced hours, employees and materials to cope with the decreased state funding, he said.

The cuts, though, haven't been enough, Evans said.

"Many have decided that the only action they can take is to go to the voters for local support."

The poor economy that led to diminished state funding for libraries has also driven more people to turn to the library for books, magazines and videos as well as Internet access for job hunting.

"When the economy is not good, library usage increases," said Alice Kramer, co-chairwoman of the campaign to pass the levy for the Pickerington Public Library. "We are seeing that trend."

The library has cut staff and hours already and cannot continue to operate without local funding, Kramer said.

"It would enable the library to get back to where it was and improve to where it needs to be," she said. "We are a vibrant community and a very generous community. I can't see the community not supporting this."

The Bexley Public Library lost $575,000 in state funding this year -- almost a third of its annual budget -- and can no longer operate without a local property tax, Director Susan Studebaker said.

The levy, she said, would help restore and expand library services, including improved programming and staffing, a homework help center and more child-friendly programs, as well as wireless Internet and enhanced Web services.

mlane@dispatch.com