It was a ___ and ___ night. A shot ___ out. The butler said, “I know who ___ it.”
You can probably fill in the missing words that complete the familiar lines above. But the bigger problem that needs solving is titled The Mystery of the Shrinking Mystery Budget.
I’m the librarian in charge of the mystery collection at Main. I read stacks of book reviews and carefully choose which titles to buy. Last year the mystery budget was $6,000. This year I have $3,150 to work with. That’s a cut of 47.5%. My book budget’s disappearance is representative of budget problems throughout the Carnegie Library system.
Fewer books on the shelf is just one result of budget cuts for 2009. CLP has also cut Library hours and staff hours. We have fewer people to help you. The forecast for 201o includes cuts that will impact every aspect of Library public service.
Thankfully, this mystery is solveable, and you can help direct the plot. As Renée detailed in Tuesday’s post, your Library advocacy will make a difference in our future. We have a vibrant public library. Let’s do everything possible to maintain the institution Andrew Carnegie built, and the residents of Pittsburgh call their own.
-Julie
Update: This morning CLP Director’s Office sent a message to staff, reporting that yesterday the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) voted to continue to withhold 10% of operating grants. CLP receives 72% of its operating budget from RAD. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review quoted Barbara K. Mistick, president and director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh,
”This does not bode well for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s financial outlook heading into the second half of the fiscal year.”
CLP will hold a meeting at 7 PM, July 16 in the Lecture Hall of the Main Library in Oakland in the first of three sessions to gather public input on its money woes. Tell your friends, and attend if you can.
