Statement before the Glenn A. Walsh
Council of
the
Electronic
Mail: < gawalsh@andrewcarnegie.cc >
Internet
Web Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
2004
November 23
Good morning, I am Glenn A.
Walsh of
Yesterday, at the annual
Carnegie Library Budget Hearing, Councilman Doug Shields made a very
interesting observation. He noted that once previously City-operated assets,
such as the Aviary and the Zoo, were privatized, they were improved resulting in
increasing revenue. However, when Carnegie Library is improved, it receives a
greater demand for public services yet receives no additional revenue based on
that demand.
In particular, Mr. Shields
noted that the demand for books at Carnegie Library has now increased due to
the improved services. Yet, Carnegie Library does not have the funds to
increase its collection to meet the increased demand.
I would like to point-out
that one of the reasons Carnegie Library’s collection is smaller than what is
needed is due to their own decision, several years ago, to discard books and
magazines, which made the collection smaller. When I served as a Life Trustee
on the Board of Trustees of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in
And, one of the reasons they
have chosen to discard books is because they are now moving libraries to
smaller locations. The Hazelwood Branch Library is a perfect example. The
current rental unit used as a library branch in Hazelwood is smaller than the
historic branch library building they moved out of. Thus, they have fewer
books, by necessity, at the new site than they had at the original branch
building.
And, this situation is
aggravated by the fact that, with the Squirrel Hill Branch closed for
renovation, there is a much greater demand on the Hazelwood Branch for books.
If they had to move the Hazelwood Branch, they should have at least waited
until the Squirrel Hill Branch was reopened.
Now, they will tell you that
they only discarded old books and magazines, which in general is true. However,
a lot of these older books and magazines could fit the needs of some
patrons—particularly considering that Carnegie Library cannot, now, afford to
replace all of the books being discarded. So, for certain subjects, the public
has to do without.
Yes, of course, new books and
materials will always be in demand and should be purchased. However, when
collection development funds are limited, as they currently are at Carnegie
Library, older books and magazines should not be discarded.
Thank you.
gaw