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 December 18

 

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

 

Today is the day when the future of public library service on the North Side may be determined. A very important City Council public hearing will be held today beginning at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the future of public library service on the North Side. Will North Side residents continue to enjoy library service in the large and historic Allegheny Regional Library building, built nearly 118 years ago by Andrew Carnegie for the neighborhood where he grew-up, or will the North Side be consigned to a small, downsized library branch three blocks away? Today is when the citizens will have their say on this issue vital to the future of the North Side!

 

And, when will Library service on the North Side resume? Due to the unfortunate accident, a lightning strike, the Allegheny Regional Branch Library was forced to close in April of 2006. But, by last May the damage had been repaired—yet, the Library is still closed! How much longer must we wait for normal library service to return to the Lower North Side?

 

All citizens can provide direct input to City Council on these questions, by attending and speaking at this public hearing, which will be held in the neighborhood in the New Hazlett Theater in the world’s first Carnegie Hall, which adjoins the Allegheny Regional Library at 5 Allegheny Square in Allegheny Center on the North Side. There is still time to pre-register to speak, by telephoning the City Clerk’s Office at 412-255-2138.

 

Again, this City Council public hearing on the future of public library service on the North Side will be held today—beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the New Hazlett Theater, which adjoins the Allegheny Regional Library at 5 Allegheny Square in Allegheny Center on the North Side. You can pre-register to speak on this important issue by telephoning the City Clerk’s Office at 412-255-2138. Again, the telephone number to pre-register to speak at this public hearing is 412-255-2138.

 

You can learn more about the Allegheny Regional Library and the public hearing at the new web site:

< www.alleghenylibrary.org >, again the Internet address is:

< www.alleghenylibrary.org >.

 

gaw