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 Carnegie, Pennsylvania in the
late 1990s, some of Carnegie Library’s discarded books were sent to our
Library!
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