Statement before the Glenn A. Walsh
Regional Asset District
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 1
Good afternoon. 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, Carnegie Library’s
“Commission on Libraries” will decide which neighborhood branch libraries to
close. And, of course, unless there is a library renovation, there was no
mention in the grant application of any public input into this “Commission on
Libraries” process!
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.
If Carnegie Library reduces
service by closing library branches, why should
I ask that you make it
quite clear to the Board of Trustees and the management of The Carnegie Library
of Pittsburgh that closure of any neighborhood library branch would be a
specific reduction in library service to the people, and would result in a
proportional reduction in RAD funding to the Carnegie Library system.
Thank you.
gaw