More than 45 speakers, including Pittsburgh City Council President Doug Shields, last night offered officials of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh simple advice on how to weather its looming budget deficit -- find more money.

The library called three town hall meetings to solicit citizen comments after it announced last month that it faces a $6.1 million shortfall in four years if significant changes aren't made either in operations or revenue sources. Projected cuts in government funding and rising costs are to blame, said President and Director Barbara Mistick, who warned that she will present a plan in September to the board of trustees and she hoped to pull some ideas from library users.

"We don't have specific answers for solutions as we go along," Dr. Mistick told the crowd of nearly 150 at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Oakland. In the audience were five library trustees, including Chairwoman Jacqui Fiske Lazo. They heard from a steady parade of people from 10 areas, including two suburbs, who urged, and occasionally pleaded, for the preservation of services.

H.P. Jackson was one of six supporters of the library's branch in Hazelwood, a city neighborhood short on community and retail facilities. "We need that human touch that the library gives us," he said, adding that the branch is shining light in an otherwise declining section.

Speakers from Beechview, South Side, Lawrenceville, Mount Washington, Bloomfield, Oakland, Highland Park and Bethel Park all called for the maintenance of the library's 19 branches.

"Our branch library is a civilizing influence," a woman from Mount Washington said.

Mr. Shields announced his support for an increase in the state income tax to cover the commonwealth's deficit and urged the audience to endorse his stand.

"Instead of telling politicians you won't vote for them if they don't help the library, tell them you'll vote for them if they raise taxes."

Carolyn Turner, of Squirrel Hill, and other speakers called for a large-scale fundraising campaign.

The next library town hall will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Carrick High School auditorium, followed by the final one Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Community College of Allegheny County's North Side campus.