Carnegie Library asks for additional funding

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has asked a county-wide agency for an extra $2 million, in hopes… Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has asked a county-wide agency for an extra $2 million, in hopes that the money will be enough to keep it from closing branches in four areas.

The library system will likely have to wait two months before it finds out whether it will receive the extra money it requested when it filed a modified budget late last month with the Allegheny Regional Asset District, a group of officials who distribute money from two county taxes and the state treasurer’s office to local libraries, parks and sports facilities.

Money from RAD accounts for more than three-quarters of the library’s annual budget, according to documents available online. If the library receives its one-time 9.8 percent increase, it will get just under $19.4 million from RAD.

Until it hears RAD’s verdict, the library must play a wait and see game.

“[RAD] will not vote or do their budget until the end of September or beginning of October, so we will not know exactly what our budget is and if they have granted us any additional money for stopgap funding,” said Suzanne Thinnes, the library’s communications manager.

Julie Goetz, RAD’s communications manager, said results received in September or October might not be final.

“The preliminary budget deadline is set for Sept. 30, and then there is a time for public hearing and comment, and then the board will announce its final budget on or around Nov. 30,” said Goetz, who also said some county residents have already contacted her to speak about the library.

Thinnes said it is too soon to tell what will happen and whether the library will have to enact its controversial 2009 Action Plan that would close a number of branches in Beechview, the West End, Lawrenceville and Hazelwood.

“Our board will meet in October and we’ll have a better idea then,” she said.

During a RAD meeting on Aug. 24, 97 different organizations requested more than $85 million in aid for next year. Last year, the district board reviewed 101 applications, granting just over $78.8 million.

When the library’s board director appeared in front of the RAD board, she indicated that the library’s request would be a one-time move. Any money given by RAD would be used to shore up the $3 million operating deficit the library system faces, including an additional 1.9 percent in cuts made recently when Gov. Ed Rendell decided to reduce the budget by 1.9 percent across the board, decreasing funding for state departments as well.

The latest cut will reduce library funding by an additional $1.2 million, which is 10.1 percent less than the 2009-10 year.

Pittsburgh City Council authorized $640,000 in aid last year for the library system to keep all of its branches open, but with continuous cuts, the library system still requires additional funding to maintain its current services and account for rising costs, according to the Carnegie Library website.

The library has encouraged community members to make donations or volunteer time to help maintain current services, hours and programs. Further information about donations can be found on the library system’s website, www.carnegielibrary.org.