Statement before the Glenn A. Walsh
Allegheny Regional
Asset
District:
RAD Distribution Telephone: 412-561-7876
Funding Formula Electronic Mail: < gaw@andrewcarnegie.cc >
For
2009
July 8
Good afternoon. I am Glenn A. Walsh of
On June 23, ACLA members voted in three rounds regarding three proposed
RAD distribution-funding formulas. In the second round, the winning formula won
by only two votes. Then, they had an endorsement
vote where about 15 libraries changed
their vote approving a formula that takes money away from their library!!!
Many ACLA members voted against their own best interests, due to the fear,
promoted by a few ACLA members, that ACLA could lose most or all RAD funding, if
ACLA does not appear “united.”
Originally, the Formula Committee recommended a two-thirds
supermajority, to ensure major support for whatever formula is approved. But,
at the meeting, some members of the Formula Committee disavowed the Committee’s
recommendation! Consequently, the supermajority requirement for approval of the
formula was not affirmed.
Most librarians and volunteer library trustees from the community are
attracted to libraries for altruistic motives; they are interested in education
and improving their community. They are not the types of people who relish
conflict or controversy. Volunteer library trustees do not see this as a
political “stepping-stone.”
From my perspective watching ACLA over the last 15 years, nothing has
changed. Certain loudmouths, who make claims that really only benefit their own
particular libraries, continue to dominate the majority of members. And, most
members defer to these loudmouths, to avoid conflict. The result is that many
county residents lose improved library service, not based on objective
measures, but based on the whims of a political process that is not much better
than mob rule: the tyranny of the majority.
Having this formula approved by a, barely, simple majority is not any
better than two years ago, when the exact same thing happened. I ask that you assure
that RAD will continue to support all County libraries, no matter how long it
takes to get an acceptable formula. And insist that every formula recommendation from the
Thank you.
gaw