Statement before the Glenn A. Walsh
Library Association
Board of Directors:
“Rightsizing” Plan Telephone:
412-561-7876
Could Close Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@andrewcarnegie.cc >
Carnegie Libraries Internet Web Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
2007
October 15
Good evening. I am Glenn A. Walsh of
Within their Fiscal Year 2008 annual funding request
to the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), The Carnegie Library of
The grant application actually says, and I quote:
“Initiative 2.1 - Conduct rightsizing plan to evaluate number and location of
library, administrative, shipping and storage facilities” end-quote.
It further says, and I quote: “Initiative 2.2 –
Complete neighborhood revitalization program to renovate/relocate all eligible Carnegie Library of
There you have it. Next year, The Carnegie Library of
When Herb Elish was Library Director, he promised that
every neighborhood with a branch library would continue to have a branch
library. Now, the new Library Director is reneging on this promise.
While the Lauri Ann West Memorial Library continues to
work to preserve their Sharpsburg Branch, and the Carnegie Free Library of
McKeesport continues to work to preserve their Duquesne Branch, The Carnegie Library
of Pittsburgh may be the first ACLA library to begin closing neighborhood
library branches! And, in fact, The Carnegie Library of
Yes,
I have complained about this to both the RAD Board and to City Council.
However, it is the mission of the
I
ask that the ACLA Board consider an official ACLA policy regarding any
proposals to close neighborhood branch libraries. And, I ask that any such
policy insist that any library process leading to such library closure
decisions, including any so-called “Commission on Libraries,” fully comply with
the
Thank you.
gaw
Attachment (Reverse Side): Page 37 of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh fiscal year
2008 grant request to the
Allegheny
Regional Asset District, regarding Library System “rightsizing” plan.