Carnegie Library South Side to Close for Renovations

The Carnegie Library South Side branch will close at the end of business on Thursday June 30th for renovations expected to take about a year.

It’s the 11th library in the city to be renovated, according to Suzanne Thinnes, Carnegie Library Communications Manager. It’s one of four with no air conditioning, and it also needs a new heating system. The front entrance will be restored to look more like it did in 1909, when it was one of the first libraries Andrew Carnegie gave to the city.

Library patrons have provided input at several meetings with architects over the past few years, and a fundraiser last month raised $10,000. Thinnes says companies on the South Side have been generous, and various government grants amount to more than $2.5 million.

Library Wants Tax Vote

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh wants to know if city residents are willing to raise their property taxes to help keep the system in the black. The library and its volunteers have launched a petition drive to place a referendum on the November ballot that would ask voters to raise their property taxes by .25 mills.

“That would be used exclusively, only, for the operation and maintenance of this system, which thousands upon thousands upon thousands of us across this entire city, and really this region, value as a corner stone,” said Library Board Member and Pittsburgh City Councilman Patrick Dowd.

The tax amounts to $25 dollars for every $100,000 of assessed value on residential and commercial property. The millage rate increase would raise between $3.25 and $3.5 million dollars a year. The library system is facing a projected deficit of $5 million in 2014.

Board Member and Allegheny County Judge Frank Lucchino says the library is looking at other income generating options. Also being pursued is a campaign to increase the library’s endowment, asking the Regional Asset District for more money, doubling individual giving, increasing corporate and foundation giving and working with state and local governments to find ways to boost revenues. Lucchino tired to fend off arguments that a tax increase would make the city less competitive in the fight for economic development. “The library is the future of the city and the library makes it more competitive.”

“115 years this library has been here and now the people will have a voice on deciding do they want this library to continue,” said Lucchino, “It will be up to them.”

To get on the ballot, supporters need to collect about 2,800 signatures. Lucchino has set a goal of collecting 9,000 signatures to avoid any problems if names are disqualified.

Carnegie Library Holds Meeting on Hilltop Library

Residents of Carrick and Knoxville are invited to attend a meeting about a proposed Carnegie Library location in Pittsburgh's Hilltop. The Carnegie Library Board of Trustees decided about a year ago to merge the current Carrick and Knoxville libraries into a single building.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says that they have gone into the community over the past year to ask people what they expect for library services. "We've had meetings both in the Carrick community and Knoxville community. And then, we've also sponsored a bus tour that went to several of our renovated and new locations within the City of Pittsburgh so residents can really see what the new libraries look like and what features will be available for them. "

Thinnes says that the Carrick and Knoxville locations were chosen for the merger because of their close proximity to one another. She says they originally asked the communities about moving one branch's resources to another's location, but they decided against it after both communities expressed that they wanted a new library between them.

The meeting will take place Saturday, March 19th at 10 a.m. at the Temple Baptist Church on Brownsville Road.

Mistick to Head Wilson College

Outgoing Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh President Barbara has been named the President of Wilson College. She will take over the post at the Chambersburg-based women’s college July 1. She will become the 19th president in the 142-year history of the Presbyterian-related college. Wilson Board of Trustees Chair Trudi Blair says college sought a president who could lead the school through the next critical stage in its history.

“We have certainly been successful in finding a person with the skills to meet that challenge in Barbara Mistick,” says Blair.

“I am excited to become a part of the wonderful tradition of Wilson College, and I look forward to getting to know the entire community and building on the solid foundation that exists at the college,” says Mistick.

Mistick announced she was leaving the library in December.

Carnegie Library Approves Funding Strategies

Recommendations by the public-private task force charged with finding sustainable funding solutions for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have been approved by the Board of Trustees. The report recommends a multi-pronged approach to ensuring the stability and growth of the library. The plan also integrates recommendations made by the public during last year's Community Conversation workshops. Task Force Chair Frank Lucchino says the library's budget has been "squeezed" as much as possible, so now the Board must look at income. "We have reduced the hours of operation, we have cut the number of materials that we buy, we have reduced the staff, we have frozen salaries.... We've done everything the public has the right to expect us to do to tighten our belts, and if we're not going to close branches, we need to find funding sources that are sustainable to carry us forward." Two primary strategies will be implemented to increase income: first, protect and grow current library funding, and second, initiate new funding streams. Under the first strategy, the library will improve advocacy and increase individual giving, secure annual increases from the Allegheny County Regional Asset District, seek more corporate contributions and work with local and state entities to develop incentive programs for donors. In terms of new funding streams, the library would launch an endowment campaign and give the public a chance to vote on whether increased dedicated funding should go to the library system. Lucchino says Pittsburgh's annual contribution to the library has not increased from its original $40,000 over the library's 115 years in the city.

Meeting Set for the South Side Carnegie Library

People will have the opportunity to voice their opinion over the renovation of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's South Side Branch this Wednesday. During the meeting, project architects from Loysen and Kreuthmeier will present several possible designs based on past community input.

Suzanne Thinnes, spokesperson for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, says the meeting is for the South Side community to share what they think about the plans. "We value input from everyone in the community. Even if you haven't been to the library in a while and you would like to see what's coming up in the future. This is a great opportunity to come in, get your library card, and see what the library has to offer."

The renovation is part of the Carnegie Library's "Libraries for Life" capital campaign, where there are plans to renovate 11 libraries. The South Side library renovation is expected to cost 2.7 million dollars, take 12 months to complete and start mid-summer.

Mistick to Leave Library

The President and Director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has told the Library's Board of Trustees that she will be leaving at the end of her contract. Dr. Barbara K. Mistick’s existing agreement with the Library expires on May 31, 2011. She has held the post since June 1, 2005.

"It has been an exhilarating experience,” says Mistick. During her time at the helm the library had to deal with funding shortfalls and library closings. Both issues remain unresolved. A budget for 2011 has been set that does not close any branches. “It seems like now is a good time to leave to let in some new energy,” says Mistick.

Mistick says she did not really known what she was getting into when she took the post. “The community had gotten to the point where we took the library for granted. We assumed that the library was always going to be here. I’m not sure I fully appreciated how much of a challenge it would be to find operational funding long term,” says Mistick.

Mistick is not saying what she will do after she leaves the board but she says she will be very involved until her departure. “I will continue to work closely with our board and management team during the final months of my tenure to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership.” She says she thinks the board will be able to find a replacement but she would not speculate on whom it might be or if the board would look within the current list of employees.

In the meantime Mistick says funding will continue to be an issue, “[D]uring this period I will continue to advocate for and seek new sources of sustainable funding for our great library system.”

I a written statement Carnegie Library Board of Trustees Chair Jacqui Fiske Lazo says, “Barbara Mistick has made many contributions to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh since her appointment in 2005. Despite the relatively poor economic environment during her tenure, Barbara and her entire team have performed incredibly well in terms of serving a growing population of library users and creating a model for a state-of-the-art library system. On behalf of our entire board, we appreciate Barbara’s commitment, particularly for achieving excellent results in securing capital and operating funding and for effectively managing those resources to operate the system.”

Mistick is looking at what she hopes will be her legacy, “People have come to a greater understanding that the public funding is not enough for the library and I think we have started to build a culture of support and I hope that is a legacy that will continue for the library system.”

RAD Budget up 2%

There's an unexpected increase in the final budget approved by the Allegheny Regional Asset District Board. The $81.1 million dollar spending plan for 2011 is 2% higher than the current year's. That means an extra $900,000 for the arts organizations, libraries, parks and other entities that receive funding via the 1% sales tax in Allegheny County.
RAD officials attribute that to revenue growth between the time they issued the preliminary budget in early fall and Tuesday's final vote .
One of the beneficiaries of the additional sales tax revenues is the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Originally, the library system was to receive a $352, 000 increase in funding but will now get a raise of $528,000.
Library spokeswoman Susan Thinnes says they announcement by RAD was a wonderful surprise "and a great holiday gift for the libraries. We are thankful the libraries remain a priority for RAD. While the amount will not fill the entire deficit for next year, it does help Carnegie Library get through and be able to balance the budget for 2011."

Thinnes says within the next few weeks they will issue their final report to the Carnegie Library Board on recommendations for a long term funding solution.

RAD Budget Proposed

The Allegheny Regional Asset District, or RAD, which gives unrestricted grants to institutions such as libraries, county parks, museums, sports facilities released their 2011 preliminary budget on Thursday.

The budget is a recommendation of the Allocations Committee and is subject to a public hearing before the final budget is approved later this year. The hearing will be held on Tuesday October 26th.

The proposed budget is $80.2 million with grants to 89 organizations. It is $730,000 higher than last years. The RAD budget comes from one half of the proceeds of the Allegheny County Sales and Use Tax. The tax base was higher this year, said Rad Board Chairman Robert James and they also dipped into the reserve.

Libraries will get 33 percent of the budget. Barbara Mistick, President and Director of The Carnegie Library System said the libraries are facing a deficit of 1.7 million dollars so this increase will not make up their budget. They are seeking other ways to make up the deficit as well as find a sustainable funding solution.

Parks get 31 percent of the budget, sports facilities get 18 percent, places like The Zoo, Phipps and Aviary get eight percent and arts and cultural organizations get nine percent.

Pittsburgh Celebrates Banned Books Week

Pittsburghers will celebrate National Banned Books Week in Oakland Monday night with an event featuring readings and a sing-along of banned books and songs.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says the “FREADom” program salutes the hundreds of books that are banned or challenged each year.

While a ban occurs when a library forbids a book, a challenge happens when someone writes a letter of complaint requesting a library remove a book. Thinnes says a book could be challenged for a variety of reasons.

“Some people don’t think it’s appropriate due to religious reasons or that it’s not considered family-friendly. It might have what they consider violence or be of a sexually explicit nature, or contain offensive language.”

Thinnes says there were 460 challenges to books across America last year. Among the top ten most common challenges were Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.”

Local acts like the Amish Monkeys, the Highway Puppet Theater, and Temujin the Storyteller will read from their favorite banned or challenged works.

The local American Civil Liberties Union is also asking attendees to email banned song ideas for the sing-along.

The celebration is free and open to the public at the Frick Fine Arts Building Auditorium at 7:00 Monday night.

Library Turns to Public for Funding Ideas

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh opened its doors 115 years ago. Today—like many libraries around the country—it’s facing a deficit. DUQ’s Larkin Page-Jacobs reports the organization is turning to its patrons to help drum up solutions.

Click here to listen to the story.

Hearings for Regional Asset District Applicants

Next week the Regional Asset District will begin the process of deciding how it will divvy up more than $85 million in sales tax receipts in the coming year. 97 organizations have submitted applications for the funds and starting Tuesday, August 24, the RAD board will hold a series of public hearings. The first will come at 3:30 on the 31st floor of the Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown.
Executive Director David Donahoe says RAD is responsible for distributing a portion of the county sales tax to regional assets each year, and this year they’re giving away a total of $85.6 million. He says these hearings are held to give applicants a chance to explain why they deserve funds.
Donahoe says the hearings will run for 4 weeks, ending in mid-September. He says applicants include 10 large organizations: the Carnegie Library, Carnegie Museums, City of McKeesport, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Regional Parks, the National Aviary, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and the Allegheny County Library Association. Smaller organizations make up the remaining 87 applicants.
Donahoe says there are no major differences this year in terms of applicants and the amount of funding, however Carnegie Library has asked for an increase from last year. “It receives funds from the state and will begin receiving money from table games revenue. Adding that all up they still feel they need an increase from the district and they’ve made that request.”
He says the board of 7 volunteer citizens will decide which 85 to 90 organizations will receive what they’ve asked for. Donahoe says there will be presentation meetings and public meetings sometime in October before any decisions are final.

Carnegie Library Updates Community

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has released a community update on its uncertain financial health.

Library spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says community meetings this summer have centered on several different funding scenarios.

“What would happen if we have adequate funding to continue or to expand library service, what would that look like? What would it look like if library funding remains the same for the next several years, and what would happen if, unfortunately, library funding would be cut? What services would our customers like to see more of? What [do] they value?”

The library’s website says it has lost about $2 million in state aid since 2009, reflecting an ongoing downturn in state library funding. That contributed to a dismal budget outlook that prompted the Library Board to announce closures, consolidations, and fine increases last year. Those plans are on hold until January, due to stopgap funding from the City of Pittsburgh.

The Library has also applied for almost 10% more funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) and will present its case to the RAD Board August 24. If the increase is approved, total RAD support would jump to more than $19 million.

Thinnes says the Library’s Public Private Task Force will release a report on its efforts to find sustainable funding within the next several months.

Carnegie Library Hosts More Community Meetings

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will kick off its second round of community "brainstorming sessions" tomorrow with a meetings in Lawrenceville and Beltzhoover aimed at finding ways to raise money for the cash-strapped system.

Library spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says the first round of meetings in May brought forth a flurry of ideas to help the library manage itself within its waning operational budget.

"We went back, and with our board and staff, we refined some of those ideas, and we also looked at different opportunities for the future based upon some of the best practices in other library systems," says Thinnes. "So this time around, it's really a discussion focused on what mix of these ideas best meets the library for the future."

Thinnes says the library identified five areas of service the community values the most: collections, the digital experience, hours, locations, and programs/outreach.

The library spokeswoman says about 570 people have participated in the discussion so far either online or in person. Thinnes says most of the comments focus on efforts to find sustainable funding sources.

"Looking at the state budget cuts, and comibined with the 30% decrease [in state funding] the library saw last year, we're facing about a $2 million deficit," says Thinnes.

She says the library has organized a funding task force, and will be looking to Pittsburgh communities for ideas and support.

The meetings:

* (7/17) Lawrenceville - Stephen Foster Community Center (10 a.m. - noon)
* (7/17) Beltzhoover - Warrington Recreation Center (2 - 4 p.m.)
* (7/18) Brookline - Carnegie Library in Brookline (2 - 4 p.m.)
* (7/19) East Liberty - Union Project (7 - 9 p.m.)

East Liberty Library to Reopen Late August

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch will reopen next month after more than a year of construction and renovation.

Carnegie Library Executive Director Barbara Mistick says crews have installed a 9,000 square foot addition that allows all library services to be housed on the first floor, including the children’s, teen, and adult sections.

Two main entrances will allow for both parking lot and pedestrian access.

The second floor will consist of three meeting rooms, which will accommodate the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council’s tutoring sessions. The basement will house the library’s Heritage Collection, including documents dating as far back as 1617.

EDGE Studios lead architect Anne Chen says the exterior of the building will now be visible from Baum Boulevard.

“The zinc panel that we used, we really love. I think it’s a beautiful kind of organic material. It has some depth to it, and some texture. It sort of reminds me of a metal velvet,” says Chen.

Chen says a new atrium also opens up the interior, while lighting hung at different levels sectionalizes the first floor space.

The building will be LEED certified as well. Evolve Architecture principal and green consultant Mark Mondor says more efficient water fixtures and modern window and heating systems will save the library money.

The changes are part of Carnegie Library’s Capital Improvement Program, which aims to refurbish or replace outdated libraries in various Pittsburgh communities. The total cost of the East Liberty renovation was $5.6 million. The library is slated to reopen August 27.

4 Carnegie Library Branches Close Due to Heat

Pittsburgh’s heat and high humidity level is forcing four Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations to cancel scheduled programs and close temporarily. Spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says the libraries are located in historic buildings and are not equipped with air conditioning.

The following libraries will close at 1 pm today.

CLP – Lawrenceville
279 Fisk Street

CLP – Mt. Washington
315 Grandview Avenue

CLP – South Side
2205 East Carson Street

CLP – West End
47 Wabash Avenue

Thinnes says officials will evaluate weather conditions, but expect to re-open the libraries tomorrow (July 7) Customers are encouraged to visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Web site for updates and to locate the closest neighboring library.

Less State Money for Libraries

Under Pennsylvania's 2010-2011 budget funding for the already strained library systems was further reduced. The cut is 8.4% in total state funding. That would mean a reduction of more than $600,000 for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

This is in addition to the impacts from last year's budget which cut library funding by $1.5 million.

Barbara Mistick, President of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh said these cuts are devastating when people are using the libraries more than ever and relying on libraries for services such as applying for jobs and finding health care and social service referrals.

The library is facing a multi-million dollar deficit if it cannot find a sustainable form of funding.

Library Input Session Move Online

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh says it is still looking for your input. The library held four meeting over the weekend to take input from residents on their vision of the library’s future and how it can get there. Library Deputy Executive Director Mary Francis Cooper says 115 people came to the events. Several board members and library staff were also on hand. Cooper says the library is still taking input on its website. She says an online survey asks questions such as “Why do you think it is important that the Library is financially and operationally healthy?” and “What are the two or three things you value the MOST about Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh?” Users can also get a survey from any of the Library’s branches. Surveys will be accepted through the end of the month.

Cooper says this is only the first step in the public input process. After the survey results are compiled, the staff will take the results out for another series of public input session in July and then after processing that data, a third round of feedback will be solicited in September.

Extra Mile for Libraries

PSO violinist and grassroots activist Susanne Park will tack an extra mile onto the Pittsburgh Marathon course Sunday to raise library funds and awareness. Her efforts are supported by the group "Save Pittsburgh Libraries".

Park’s Lawrenceville Library is one of those threatened with closure in 2011. She says, besides joining her in walking or running the extra mile, people can do a lot to save their libraries by writing to elected officials and board members, volunteering, and letting it be known how important they are. She refers to the saying, "Closing libraries during a recession is like closing hospitals during the plague--it just doesn't make any sense."

The extra mile will end at a statue she calls "Labor Reading" next to the old North Side Library. Sculpted by Daniel Chester French, who also did the statue in Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial, it was presented by Andrew Carnegie in honor of Pittsburgh industrialist Col. James Anderson, in whose personal library Andrew Carnegie educated himself. For more information on the statue can be found at this link.

Park thinks it will be very hard to re-open libraries once they close.

Library to Hold Budget Workshops

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh wants to discuss its finances with community members.

Spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes says a 6-month series of workshops will begin May 15.

“This is a way for the community to help us understand how they use library services and what their needs and priorities are,” says Thinnes.

“At the same time, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the constraints of the limited public funding that we’re finding for the Library’s services.”

In 2009, the Library predicted a $5 million deficit by 2014, prompting Library Board members to announce service cuts and closures. Local officials called for a review of its financial practices in response to public outcry. The audit concluded that the Library had acted reasonably and simply needs further funding.

Thinnes says a public-private task force of citizens and elected officials is looking for funding sources. She says the Library's website also highlights events in Pennsylvania government that impact the Library’s finances, like table games revenue and the proposed state budget.