Facing a decrease in Regional Asset District (RAD) sales tax collections, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh may see a loss or consolidation of branch locations as well as reduction in services, though a new campaign aims to increase support. The library currently has 17 open locations, with one under renovation and a new location in progress.

CLP is mostly funded by a .5 percent portion of the tax but June and July proceeds were the lowest since the RAD tax was implemented in 1994, CLP director Barbara Mistick told LJ.

Administrators estimate that expenses for the system will begin to exceed revenues beginning in 2010, and that the deficit will continue to grow to more than $6 million by 2014. CLP already implemented $2 million in cuts this year, said Mistick. Hours at the main library were reduced and departments were consolidated. At mid-year, CLP reduced its pension contribution.

CLP gets 70 percent of its operating budget from RAD proceeds; most of the remaining funds come from the state, which hasn’t released a budget for FY 09-10 because of an impasse between the governor and legislators. Library supporters are prepared for a 50 percent cut in state aid. Mistick doesn’t expect any resolution before Labor Day.

Past budget crises
The library has dealt with budget crises before. In 2004, after reducing hours and laying off 11 percent of its staff the previous year, CLP asked the RAD for increased support, and got it. More recently, it commissioned a Rand Corporation study that recommended exploring alternate methods of funding.

Among them: CLP should consider 

• establishing a distinct public library tax district
• conducting a media campaign to garner more public support
• conducting a "right-sizing" assessment of facilities and staff
• exploring a countywide merger with other libraries

Library supporters: don't close branches
Some 400 CLP supporters who attended a series of town meetings last month learned about the budget crises and expressed their preferences. They prefer reducing hours and programs to closing branches.

The next step is CLP’s budget presentation to the RAD board August 25, followed by a September presentation to CLP’s board of directors. CLP is requesting a 10.1 percent increase in operational funding.

Mistick hopes that the public’s increased awareness of CLP’s budget difficulties will translate into more advocacy on its behalf and has launched a web site to support that effort. "The community needs to weigh in," she said.

Carnegie support clarification
CLP was the first facility funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895. Because of this distinction, many community members mistakenly believed that support continues to this day in the form of operating funds. 

In fact, Carnegie’s original trust document obligated the city to provide $40,000 annually, said Mistick. That amount has been replaced by the RAD tax.