Statement
before the Glenn
A. Walsh
Council of
The City of
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
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