Anticipating a $6 million budget deficit by 2014, the Carnegie Library is asking the public this month for ways to save money.

It has scheduled three open meetings to present its financial picture and then collect citizen suggestions to improve that picture.

Library director Barbara Mistick called for the sessions after announcing June 22 that she foresees a $1.6 million reduction in county and state funding next year alone, a reflection of the current economic decline while expenses will continue to climb.

The combination could leave the library $3.1 million in the red in 2010, a trend that will continue through 2014, Mistick believes.

"At this point we can do no more internally" to save money, Mistick said, citing reductions in library operating hours and salary freezes. She said she will pass on any practical proposals from the public meetings to the board of directors in September.

David Donahoe, executive director of the county's Regional Asset District, which provided $16.7 million to the Carnegie this year, said RAD has made no decision on 2010 allocations.

The funding forums, moderated by members of the League of Women Voters, will be held:

• July 16 at the library's Oakland headquarters at 7 p.m.

• July 18 at Carrick High School at 10 a.m.

• July 21 at the Community College of Allegheny County, 808 Ridge Ave., North Side, at 7 p.m.

The Allegheny County Library Association will present a new formula allocating RAD funds to the 43 community libraries outside Pittsburgh to the asset district board next week.

ALCA director Marilyn Jenkins was given the revised plan last week after it was approved by representatives of the libraries, which shared about $5 million in RAD funds this year. She said "75 percent" of members supported the changes after "weeks and weeks and weeks" of meetings.

Based on a system that weighs four factors -- population, economic status, base funding and use of collections -- the formula would change current allocations next year, reducing outlays to 23 libraries and raising them to the remaining 20.

The RAD board is not expected to reach a decision on the formula until it conducts public hearings in the fall.

Ligonier Valley Writers celebrates the arrival of this year's edition of the Loyalhanna Review, its literary publication, July 17, at 7 p.m. at the Latrobe Art Center, 819 Ligonier St., Latrobe.

The event presents readings, artwork and photographs by review contributors. The cost is $8, which includes a copy of the publication. It also marks the opening of the group's writers' conference July 18 at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe.

The daylong conference offers programs in fiction, nonfiction, children's books and poetry. Registration closes tomorrow.

For details on the party or conference: 724-593-7294 or visit www.LVWonline.org.