Statement before the        Glenn A. Walsh

      Council of                  P.O. Box 1041

     The City of                  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-1041 U.S.A.

     Pittsburgh:                   Telephone: 412-561-7876

 Carnegie Library’s           Electronic Mail: < gaw@andrewcarnegie.cc >

Allegheny Regional          Internet Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc  >

    Branch Library                2007 November 27

 

Good morning. I am Glenn A. Walsh of 633 Royce Avenue, Mt. Lebanon. Today I am speaking as a private citizen representing no organization.

 

Yesterday, citizens of the City of Pittsburgh submitted a petition requesting a public hearing before Pittsburgh City Council, to determine whether a new library structure on the North Side is really required, or whether the newly-restored Allegheny Regional Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh can continue to fill the vital role of providing library service to the residents of the North Side, as it has done quite successfully for nearly 118 years. I will leave further comment on that question for the public hearing.

 

Today, I want to emphasize the fact that most of the North Side has been without public library service for more than a year and a-half. Now, much of this time was unavoidable due to the unfortunate accident. However, since this-past Summer, the Allegheny Regional Branch Library has been totally restored and ready for library service. Yet, Carnegie Library has refused to restore library service in the City’s first Carnegie Library, in the neighborhood where Andrew Carnegie grew-up!

 

The groundbreaking for the proposed new building, scheduled for early Autumn, was postponed. The Carnegie Library Director, in statements before the RAD Board last Spring, and this Council last Winter, indicated that money to build a new North Side building is still not available.

 

Since that time, I have heard of no foundation providing enough money for completion of a new North Side building. And, why should they? Insurance money was used to restore the Allegheny Regional Branch Library, and then Carnegie Library turns-around and asks foundations to provide even more money for a new building, while foundations have limited funds and there are many other community needs which require funding!

 

A large part of the North Side has been left with no library service, for more than a year-and a-half. Why should the people of the North Side suffer, because Carnegie Library management wants to build a new building?

 

The people of the North Side have waited long enough! The Allegheny Regional Branch Library is ready. RAD funds designated for North Side library service have always been available. The time is now to reopen the Allegheny Regional Branch Library to serve the residents of the North Side.


As, the duly-elected representatives of the owners of The Carnegie Library System, the people of Pittsburgh, I ask that you instruct Carnegie Library management that the Allegheny Regional Branch Library must be reopened as soon as possible.

 

Thank you.

 

gaw