OCTOBER BOOK AND BAKE SALE

This Fall Book and Bake Sale will be held on Thursday, October 22 from 4 to 8 p.m.; Friday, October 23 from 10 to 4 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 to Noon with the $2 Bag Sale from Noon to 2 p.m.  Come one, come all!!

                                                        FUNDING CRISIS AT SWISSVALE LIBRARY July 9, 2009

Swissvale Library faces serious funding cuts from the State of Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Regional Asset District. In addition, the Woodland Hills School District must be urged to continue to support the library, and even make up some funding shortfalls. At this time, a loss of $13,440 is likely, and further losses are possible. This would likely result in the library closing for one day per week, reducing children's and adult programs, and purchasing fewer books and movies.

State funding for public libraries needs to remain at the same level as last year. Please write, email, or call our State Representative and Senator, and Governor Rendell, and urge "level public library funding."

State Rep. Paul Costa, 519 Penn Ave, Turtle Creek PA 15145, (412) 824-3400 http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=49

State Sen. Jay Costa Jr., 1501 Ardmore Blvd, Suite 403, Forest Hills PA 15221, (412) 241-6690, http://senatorcosta.com/email.htm 

Gov. Edward Rendell 225 Main Capitol Bldg Harrisburg PA 17120 (717) 787-2500, http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/contact/2998 

The public libraries in Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), receive money from the Allegheny Region Asset District (ARAD) to distribute to the libraries according to a formula based on population, circulation of library materials, and other factors. A new formula has been approved by 75% of ACLA libraries (including Swissvale), but some of the "losing" libraries are lobbying ARAD against the formula.

Please contact ARAD and ask them to approve the ACLA formula as passed.

Allegheny Regional Asset District, David Donahoe, Executive Director, 425 Sixth Ave, Suite 1610, Pittsburgh PA 15219 (412) 227-1900 - dd@radworkshere.org

The Woodland Hills School District, under a 99-year agreement with Swissvale Borough, operates the Swissvale Library. Under the current budget, Woodland Hills would contribute $18,312 for library staff and operations, and $31,000 for utilities and custodial services ($49,312). These support the Swissvale Senior Center as well as the library. Please request the Woodland Hills School Board to cover the possible loss of $13,440 for a total possible contribution of $62,752.

Woodland Hills School Board, 2430 Greensburg Pike Pittsburgh PA 15219

       President, Mrs. Marilyn Messina messma@whsd.net

       Vice Pres. Mr. Fred Kuhn kuhnfr@whsd.net

       Dr. Randy Lott, Lottra@whsd.net

Friends of Swissvale Library