The Community Library of Allegheny Valley is not affiliated with the Carnegie Library in Oakland. Although we do share books and other materials with the Carnegie Library, (and other libraries within the system,) we are independent. Any funding that helps
the Oakland Library is not shared with us.
The State used to provide most of the money to run the library (amounting to 70 percent of our budget), but it has slashed that amount so that now it provides only 40 percent. We have to find other sources of income to replace the 30 percent we lost.
Since the State funding cuts, we've shortened our hours of operation, spent significantly less on new materials, and our staff has gone without raises for years (and most do not receive health benefits.) Even though we've taken these steps to reduce spending,
we are now forced to use endowment money to pay the bills. That money was meant to be invested so that the interest would pro-
vide income for the library. As it is spent, what it yields will become less and less.
How the Library Helps You Save Money.
Borrowing materials from the Library, rather than buying them, saves the average family of four as much as $2,500 a year! (source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette Parade.)
For each dollar invested in the library, you get $5.50 back in goods and services. That's a better return than most banks will give you! (source: State of PA Study)
Since the economic crisis began, Community Library of Allegheny Valley's computer usage has jumped to an average of 300 more uses per month.
More people than ever are using the library. Library use system-wide is up 30 percent since 2004.
How The Library can Help Save the Planet.
"The average American pays $20 a year in taxes to
support public libraries and can save that much by
borrowing just one or two books. A book that is
loaned ten times cuts not only cost but paper use
per reader by a factor of ten." (Source: Donella H.
Meadows, Dartmouth College.)
Before the State Budget Cuts:
In 2006, the Library's income was: $642,150.86(our expenses were $415,875.81.)
After the State Budget Cuts:
In 2009, the Library's income was: $380,579.82(our expenses, after cutting back, were $409,485.31)
In 3 years, the Library's lost income amounts to:
$261,571.04
