posted by Joe Polk at 1:24 AM /
The Allegheny Regional Asset District board yesterday rejected a revised fund-sharing formula for the county's 44 community libraries because the new approach fails to encourage financial contributions from their communities.
The board was also concerned that the plan, intended to take effect next year, could result in "swift changes in funding levels," it said in a statement. "Those (libraries) that experience (funding) declines will find them difficult to absorb with short notice."
Yesterday's RAD meeting was attended by Mt. Lebanon Public Library Director Cynthia Richey, who said she was encouraged by the recommendation that ACLA come back with a formula that would not penalize those community libraries receiving support from their local governments. She noted that even with a different formula, Mt. Lebanon stands to lose more funding than any other ACLA-member libraries.
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09273/1001794-455.stm
The board was also concerned that the plan, intended to take effect next year, could result in "swift changes in funding levels," it said in a statement. "Those (libraries) that experience (funding) declines will find them difficult to absorb with short notice."
Yesterday's RAD meeting was attended by Mt. Lebanon Public Library Director Cynthia Richey, who said she was encouraged by the recommendation that ACLA come back with a formula that would not penalize those community libraries receiving support from their local governments. She noted that even with a different formula, Mt. Lebanon stands to lose more funding than any other ACLA-member libraries.
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09273/1001794-455.stm
Labels: mt lebanon library, RAD
4 Comments:
Outstanding!
Thanks to all who wrote or called the RAD board to express their displeasure with the proposed ACLA formula, which not only reduced funding to our library by $170,000 but also reduced funding to Wilkinsburg and other truly distressed libraries. ACLA will try to mount a defense of their proposal, and those who love our library should thank the RAD board for their initial rejection and ask that they be diligent in their demands that the funds, which are collected from taxes we all pay, are distributed fairly, and that these distributions are based on valid criteria. Thanks again to all who spoke up, but don't stop now. We must follow this through the final vote by the RAD board. If you have any questions please call the library, email the board of trustees, or me.
Joe Wertheim, President
Friends of the ML Public Library
Joe,
Thanks to you, Cynthia Richey, and the other Library Board members for your part in making this happen.
Can you remind us of where and how to contact RAD board members regarding funding decisions?
Tim, thanks for asking. You can write to the Regional Asset District, 425 Sixth Ave., Suite 1610, 15219.
Joe Wertheim
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