Public-Private Task Force

on Sustainable Funding
for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Task Force Members

Judge Frank J. Lucchino, Chair

James Barnes, Partner, Reed Smith

Senator Jay Costa, Pennsylvania Senator, 43rd Senatorial District

Darla Cravotta, Special Projects Coordinator for Allegheny County Executive's Office

Councilman Bruce Kraus, City Council District 3

Scott M. Lammie, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, UPMC Insurance Services

Grant Oliphant, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Foundation

Sabrina Saunders, Manager of Youth Policy, Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Lynne Squilla, Freelance Writer/Producer/Director, Community Representative

Representative Chelsa Wagner, Pennsylvania State Representative, 22nd Legislative District

Background

In January 2009, the RAND Corporation released a report, "Assessing the Future of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Pathways to Sustainability." The report found that the Library was faced with operating revenues that have been in a steady downward trend in both nominal and real dollars affecting the Library's purchasing power and its ability to adapt and respond to community needs. The study supported the creation of a task force that would explore one or more of several opportunities presented that could address these systemic challenges and enable the Library to garner and sustain resources for the future.

Since the release of this report, flat funding from the Library's primary funding source and declining revenues from the State coupled with the overall economic decline due to the recession caused the Library to announce in October 2009 the closing, merger, or relocation of several branch libraries. Public opposition to the Library's proposed plan resulted in temporary stop-gap funding from the City of Pittsburgh as well as the identification of a new, dedicated, recurring revenue source from casino table games.

The Library welcomed this funding; however, neither is sufficient to solve the Library's projected funding gap, and additional revenues will be necessary. Both the City's funding and the State's gaming revenue were offered on the condition that all branch libraries would remain open in 2010 allowing time for a task force to be formed to identify a sustainable funding model. A Task Force on Sustainable Funding for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will be named to evaluate the costs, benefits, and long-term financial stability of alternative funding models to ensure the Library's future sustainability.

Scope of Work

The Task Force on Sustainable Library Funding will explore alternative funding models and sources of funding to sustain the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system and will recommend a sustainable model of operational funding for the future. (CLP's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will not be included since it is separately funded). The goal is to obtain a diversified funding base that will secure an adequate amount of additional recurring operating support that will provide some level of stability and opportunity for growth each year.

Opportunities to be explored without any limitations are all possible public sources as well as additional private support from corporations, businesses, foundations, families and individuals and any other source the Task Force identifies.

Representing a broad range of community involvement, the Task Force may be asked to expand its role as directed by the Chair of the Board after completion of its report on financial sustainability issues.