Statement
before the Glenn
A. Walsh
Board of Directors
Allegheny Regional
Asset District: Telephone: 412-561-7876
Carnegie Library’s Electronic Mail: < gaw@andrewcarnegie.cc >
Allegheny
Regional Internet
Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc
>
Branch Library 2007 November 26
Good afternoon. I am Glenn A.
Walsh of
Since last Summer, the
Allegheny Regional Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the city’s
first Carnegie Library built in the neighborhood where Andrew Carnegie grew-up,
has been repaired and ready for use again as a public library. The Carnegie
Library of Pittsburgh has refused to reopen this library even though the
groundbreaking for the proposed new North Side library building, scheduled for
early Autumn, was postponed. The Carnegie Library Director, in statements before
this Board last Spring, and City 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!
After being abandoned by
Carnegie Library nearly four years ago, the historic Hazelwood Branch Library
building, with a 250-seat auditorium, remains empty and unused. Is an empty and
unused library, in the prominent center of
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? And, why should county tax dollars,
funded through RAD, be diverted from North Side library service to other uses,
while Carnegie Library continues fund raising for 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 you did at a recent
meeting, I ask that you approve a “sense of the Board” resolution, to be
transmitted to Carnegie Library management, that the Allegheny Regional Branch
Library must be reopened as soon as possible.
Thank you.
gaw