Pittsburgh City Council is preparing to direct $1.24 million to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, but Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Monday that the city was on the hook for only around half that amount. He wants more information about the system's financial plans before considering anything more than $600,000.

"Now, maybe council's just willing to give away $600,000. I am not," Mr. Ravenstahl said after a news conference introducing a new city-run website, held at the new Carnegie Library on Federal Street in the North Side. "To this point, we've asked for some details from the library that have not been forthcoming."

Mr. Ravenstahl said he believed that the library system might be planning to borrow money to improve some branches, even as it considers closing others. "I don't understand how you can finance additional upgrades at certain facilities yet propose to close others," he said.

Councilman Bruce Kraus, a library trustee, plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to allocate $1.24 million, and said he had a veto-proof six sponsors. He said the library system was planning to refinance debt, not borrow more.

Library spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes said the refinance bid was to take advantage of lower interest rates.

She said the system had funds from a $55 million capital campaign launched in 2001 that it is spending to upgrade buildings, even as it seeks a long-term solution to its operating budget troubles. "Many of our libraries are without air conditioning. They don't have the technology upgrades," and some have wheelchair accessibility problems, she said.

She said the library will supply any data the mayor needs.

City officials pledged to aid the libraries last year to forestall the closure of four branches, the merger of two others and the relocation of another. A civic panel is looking for a long-term solution.

Ms. Thinnes said the system would live up to its commitment not to close branches this year and will hold community meetings before any decisions are made.

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