Library Revival
Allegheny County Library Association ( ACLA ) libraries are at the epicenter of shifts in education and workforce development .
We are fortunate to have community libraries throughout Allegheny County that provide residents of all ages with valuable resources . Many of those who have not visited a library in the past decade or so may wonder , “ Why do we still need libraries ?”
It ’ s been 25 years since Frank Lucchino , then Allegheny County Controller , issued a special report : “ A Quiet Crisis : Libraries in Allegheny County .” This nearly 100-page report offered an in-depth discussion on the state of Allegheny County ’ s libraries and the problems each of the independent institutions faced . The dawn of the “ Information Age ” threatened to leave libraries behind , and funding was scarce . In fact , Allegheny County ranked at the bottom nationally for per capita dollars spent on libraries . Roofs were leaking , paint was peeling and HVAC systems were failing .
The report concluded that Allegheny County ’ s libraries needed to identify a new stable source of operating support and establish a broad based organization to take advantage of potential economies of scale . Libraries accepted the call to action and banded together . Twenty-five years later , the Allegheny County Library Association ( ACLA ), with the cooperation of its 46 Member Libraries , has met the challenges identified in “ A Quiet Crisis ” in ways that couldn ’ t have been imagined in the early ’ 90s .
With strong ( and loud ) backing from County residents , library service was recognized as an essential community need . When State legislation created the Allegheny Regional Asset District ( ARAD ), libraries advocated for a piece of the one percent sales tax revenue . In fact , since 1995 , the ARAD Board has awarded nearly one-third of its funds to support community libraries . That support has resulted in widespread facility renovations , increased service hours , expanded programming and state-of-the-art technology tools .
In the early ’ 90s it was considered revolutionary to connect libraries via re-built fax machines . Today , all 73 service locations across the County are connected through a 10Gbps fiber ring supporting 3,500 networked devices , a shared operating system , highspeed internet and universal Wi-Fi . There is a centralized automated sorting system for movement of materials , self-check options , and access to downloadable books , videos and audios for all residents . ACLA libraries freely share their resources countywide across municipal boundaries .
ACLA libraries are at the epicenter of shifts in education and workforce development . Today you ’ ll find STEM programs , Maker space centers , media labs , tech clinics , parenting workshops , kindergarten readiness classes , coding workshops , self-publishing support , and countless other opportunities . Libraries help prepare students for first-time job success , assist job seekers with resumes and placement , provide basic skills training and support small business development .
While it ’ s important to celebrate the success during the last 25 years , ACLA and its Member Libraries will continue to face challenges as we move into the future . Constant changes in technology , pressure on the ARAD to fund a wider range of assets , the growing demands of residents for current information and new formats and the continued need to diversify library funding are just a few of the issues that remain . However , now libraries are building on the strong foundation of countywide cooperation that has been established .
I encourage everyone to stop by and experience what your local library has to offer . Whether you are looking for reading materials , children ’ s programs , job placement support , or even a place to get away , visit any local library or to find out more visit www . aclalibraries . org . n
By Marilyn Jenkins , Executive Director , Allegheny County Library Association
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Summer 2017 | icmags . com 43