Community Corner

Carnegie Library Brookline Services, Hours to Increase

Because of a tax approved by residents in 2011, the Carnegie Library system has the funding to increase both library services and hours at some branches.

Services and hours are increasing at several Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches—including the one in Brookline—thanks to a tax residents voted for in 2011, and increased revenue from county property tax reassessments.

City of Pittsburgh residents approved a tax in 2011 that would directly benefit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. As a result, library patrons throughout the county could benefit.

Suzanne Thinnes, communications manager for Carnegie Library, said hours will be increased at all neighborhood Carnegie Library branches, including the Brookline Boulevard branch. The only branch that will not be affected is the main branch in Oakland.

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“With increased services, there comes an increase in programming across the board,” Thinnes said. “There will be an increase in materials across the system. Anyone from any library in Allegheny County could benefit because the materials are shared.”

With the 2011 vote, a tax equivalent to $25 a year on each $100,000 of assessed value was levied on all real estate in the city of Pittsburgh, effective Jan. 1, 2012.

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Due to the property tax reassessment in Allegheny County, the library received $900,000 more than expected when the tax was approved.

The library is able to accept the increase because libraries, unlike municipalities and school districts, are not subject to state laws that require a millage reduction to limit tax increases. 

Thinnes said more information about specific programming and available materials would be available in the next few weeks.

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