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