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Ravenstahl Calls For Audit Of Library System

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Oct 7, 2009 9:42 pm US/Eastern

Ravenstahl Calls For Audit Of Library System

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― There's more fallout from the Carnegie Library's decision to close four neighborhood branches.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has called for a performance audit of the Carnegie Library system.

"Before any closings are made, make sure that all the fat has been cut out of their budget. So we talked to the RAD board and generally they agreed to undertake this effort for us," he said. "And then once we have those questions answered, we'll make a better determination on whether or not funded is needed."

He questioned a line item in the library's budget summary.

"They have a line item in their budget that says 'other' and it's worth $2.8 million. So I don't know what 'other' is," he said.

Dr. Barbara Mistick, the president of the Carnegie Library system, explained it to KDKA Money Editor Jon Delano.

"Included in that category are facility expenses, security expenses, outreach services to libraries in the county," she said. "This is a very lean operation."

The RAD board's audit committee will meet later this month to review the mayor's request. If approved the audit would be conducted by an independent third party at the cost of the board.

Mistick said they're happy to cooperate because they get audited every year. She says they'll work with anyone interested in finding the $3 million needed to keep all the branches open.

Meantime, the closing of four neighborhood branches and the merger of two others is fast becoming a political issue with opponents of Ravenstahl echoing the same refrain.

"I think this is just another symptom of the profound lack of leadership we have downtown," Franco Dok Harris, a mayoral candidate, said.

"It's about time I think that this city steps up and makes a contribution to this library system," Kevin Acklin, a candidate for mayor, said.

The city library is funded through $16.8 million from the Regional Asset District sales tax, $4.8 million from the state, $1 million in earned income, $750,000 in fundraising and only $40,000 from the City of Pittsburgh.

The city's contribution was required by Andrew Carnegie in 1890 and hasn't changed in years.

Acklin promised to increase it to $250,000 a year if elected.

"To contribute the bare minimum required by Andrew Carnegie's will from over a hundred years ago -- and that's the statement the mayor has said that $40,000 is enough, I think it's way too little," he said.

State Representative Chelsa Wagner has led protests against the closing of the Beechview library.

"I think the city could have been out in front of this before the decision was made," she said.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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