To keep all branches open next year, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh today announced that it's asking the Regional Asset District for a 10 percent increase in operating subsidies next year.

The library system has struggled the past two years to find new, permanent sources of income amid declining state support.

The system's budget this year is $24.2 million, with about $17.6 million coming from RAD and about $3.5 million from the state. Because of pleas for help, the city also allocated about $1.2 million for the library this year. Private contributions, fines and other sources round out the system's revenues.

Spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes said it's too soon to say what the system's final 2011 budget will be.

But she said the system fleshed out its request for RAD now, ahead of a presentation it must make to the RAD board in August. The system is seeking $19.3 million, about $1.7 million, or 10 percent, more than it received this year.

Ms. Thinnes said the state already has signaled its intention to slash funding by about $300,000 next year. Since 2009, she said, the state has slashed funding by about $2 million.

In September, a public-private task force is expected to release recommendations on finding new, permanent funding sources for the library system.

However, "in the absence of any other substantial influx of funding for 2011, we are turning to RAD as our primary local funding source to consider increasing support to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh until additional long-term funding can be secured," system director Barbara Mistick said in a statement.

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