Public libraries are suffering budget cuts in most states nationwide, according to an informal LJ survey, with a significant segment--though not a majority characterizing the strictures as worse than in the early 1990s, the last time libraries were hit hard. LJ contacted state library agencies and, in some-cases, state library associations, for a snapshot of current budget pressures and library responses. Thirty states were able to provide responses: some were based on recent surveys while others were simply estimates. While patrons may not yet be complaining, they should soon notice some clear impacts: fewer books, fewer hours, and fewer staff. Libraries face a dilemma about whether to make cuts dramatically obvious to the public. Common tactics are to cut both materials and hours, as well as less-obvious travel, supplies, or open positions. In fewer cases, staff have been laid off, and some buildings have closed briefly, but very few buildings have been shuttered. This brief article explores this issue and evaluates the future prospects based on this dilemma.