Hazelwood Residents Rally In Effort To Save Library

PITTSBURGH - THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL.com

Pittsburgh residents rallied in the rain Saturday in an effort to save a branch of the Carnegie Library slated to close.

The Carnegie Library in Hazelwood is among four branches slated to close. Three others in Lawrenceville, Beechview and the West End are also closing because of budget constraints, the library system announced earlier this month.

The branch in Mount Washington would be moved and branches in Carrick and Knoxville would merge.

Residents like Jim McCue said it's time to start thinking outside the box. McCue said the city "has enough money" and needs to shift priorities.

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"This is a big issue that everybody is really in support of. It's just that we have to figure out and we have to work together enough to figure out from what budget can it come," McCue said.

Others expressed concern about possible consequences of library closures.

"We have no schools, no pools, and if they close it, they're going to have to hire more police because it's going to lead to more drugs, violence and teen pregnancy," said Emilie Rizzo, 13. "Everybody comes here to do homework hang with their friends and everything, and we have nothing in Hazelwood."

"I check out a book, I read it, I check out another one, I use the computer, I check out movies, I do my homework, I hang with my friends," said Patience Karn, of Hazelwod. "I just I don't want this library to close."

The city is exploring options for extra money to help the library system. The mayor has said keeping the branches open is a top priority.

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