Statement before the Glenn
A. Walsh
Library Association
Board
of Directors: Telephone: 412-561-7876
Carnegie
Library Electronic Mail: < gaw@andrewcarnegie.cc >
Closings Internet Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
2009
October 19
Good
evening. I am Glenn A. Walsh of
At
the beginning of this month, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh announced the
closings of four public libraries, consolidation of two more, the move of one
library, and the closing of their Allegheny Depository archives facility. And,
this may just be the beginning of library closures in Allegheny County.
What
greater issue is there for the Allegheny County Library Association to discuss?
These proposed closures risk the very reason-for-being of the Allegheny County
Library Association!
On
September 15, I was the guest speaker at the reopening of a Carnegie
Library in suburban Atlanta, which had been closed for 22 years! The
Newnan, Georgia Carnegie Library made history by being the first Carnegie
Library building—and probably the first library building of any type—to close,
be reused for another purpose (as a courthouse annex), then converted back to
library service! Attached, on the reverse side of this statement, is a news
article regarding this library reopening.
If
they can reopen their library after 22 years, then certainly we could reopen
library branches once the economy improves.
I
am not asking that ACLA provide money to keep open the libraries proposed for
closure; this is not the proper role for ACLA.
I do ask that ACLA approve a resolution indicating that it is ACLA’s
position that the proposed closure of any library in Allegheny County,
on financial grounds, must be considered temporary.
Any
member library proposing to close branches, or even their main library, should
provide ACLA a written plan regarding how they will reopen such closed
libraries once the economic conditions improve. There should also be a
requirement that, at least once a year, the member library which closed
branches make written justification to ACLA why each branch must remain closed.
ACLA
has sought and achieved the designation of Federated Library System in
Pennsylvania. What is the point of such a Federated Library System if ACLA does
not take a firm position opposing permanent library closures?
Thank
you.
gaw