Closure of Libraries and Bookstores

Libraries and bookstores aren't doing too well in Pittsburgh. According to this Post-Gazette story, the Carnegie Library is now going to have only 14 branches instead of its original 19 after its funds have been drastically cut. This also means that the hours of the branches will be changed and there will be a 30 percent cut in the staff. The story says that this is the first time in the history of the Carnegie Library that branches have had to been shut down.

As far as bookstores go, they continue to shut down as well. Barnes & Noble closed its Downtown location in early 2007 when I was a freshman. Having just moved to the city, I was surprised by the lack of bookstores in Downtown Pittsburgh. In my small home town, there were two bookstores within a block of each other, but Steel City still doesn't have ONE in the downtown area. And Barnes & Noble just announced another closure, but this time for its Squirrel Hill chain.

What is happening? How can we let our public libraries just close? And why are big chains like Barnes & Noble shutting down locations? Could it be that people are losing the love for the written word?

I hope not! I believe that when libraries close, that is a sign that we as the people aren't doing enough to make it clear that they are necessary components of a healthy society. No state budget can ever change that. I encourage you to write to your state representatives and let them know what you think about this. At most of the Carnegie libraries, they have paper and pens available for just that and all you have to do is write what you think and put it in the designated bin.

For all of you book-lovers out there, I made a map of a few of my favorite libraries and bookstores in the Pittsburgh area. Enjoy!


View Pittsburgh Libraries and Bookstores in a larger map