The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will be closing five of their 19 branches as they face declining revenues and projected budget deficits. This means that 30 staff positions will be cut, in addition to an increase in fines and fees.
The CLP Board of Trustees voted 18-4 to close four libraries and a depository, as well as merge two facilities and relocate another.
“We have been candid with city, county and state officials over the past several years that our system is chronically underfunded compared to other library systems around the country,” said CLP president and director Barbara Mistick. “My fear is that unless we are more fully and consistently funded, more cuts will be necessary in coming years.
The CLP predicts a $6 million shortfall by 2014 if no changes are made the system of funding and expenses already in place. The CLP is funded by a portion of Regional Asset District sales tax collections as opposed to direct city funding.