Fund-raising organizers at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie hope a Valentine's Day visit by Gov. Ed Rendell will result in some state money to help restore the deteriorating building to its original beauty.

State Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Coraopolis, shares their view.

"I'd like to see at least 2 million from the state" toward refurbishing the library and cultural complex, Kotik said.

The brick beaux arts building, which sits on a hill overlooking Carnegie Borough, is in disrepair after more than a century of wear and tear. It will take $8.6 million to restore the complex to its original luster.

Kotik said he learned Rendell was scheduled for a visit to the Pittsburgh region, so he invited the governor to stop by the library. "We really had a great day. We were there almost an hour. We went through the whole facility" and the governor pledged to help, Kotik said.

Kotik said Rendell asked those overseeing the restoration to send him a breakdown of costs for the repairs. Kotik said money for certain phases of the refurbishment might be available through various state programs, including grants for historic preservation.

Maggie Forbes, of A.L. Brourman Associates, a private firm which is assisting with the fund-raising drive, said Rendell watched part of a children's play from the balcony of the complex's music hall and visited with youngsters who were enjoying some stories and Valentine's Day crafts in the library.

He also viewed the one-room Civil War museum accompanied by Union re-enactors in full uniform, who showed up especially for his visit.

Forbes said Rendell understood saving the building "is important for the state, that it's a state treasure, a national treasure and a community treasure" and he "was emphatic about wanting to make it happen."

Campaign officials plan to raise half the $8.6 million refurbishment money from individuals, corporations and foundations. A mystery foundation, which has asked to remain anonymous, has pledged $500,000, but in order to collect, the library must raise an equal amount by Sept. 30 from individuals and businesses in communities served by the library. So far, $253,890 has been donated.

It's hoped the second half of the $8.6 million will come from state and federal sources. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, recently presented a $250,000 check to the library.

The library, which turns 103 in May, is inaccessible to those with disabilities and children in strollers and has insufficient heating and no air conditioning. The structure's mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems are not up to code and parking is inadequate.

There are few rest rooms and none are accessible to the handicapped. Damage from water and age and the lack of money to fund repair work over the years has resulted in the building's decline.

In addition to the library, the complex houses a lecture hall, gymnasium, dance studio, the Civil War room and the 780-seat music hall, modeled after Carnegie Hall in New York.

The library in Carnegie was the only one built by industrialist Andrew Carnegie that was authorized to use both his first and last names. Carnegie himself showed up to dedicate the complex.