utting patrons first is why Western Allegheny
Community Library (WACL) in Oakdale was recently
honored as Allegheny County’s first PA Forward “Gold
Star” Library. “If someone wants something from the library,
such as a certain service, program or book, we really go out of
our way to get it for them,” says director Amanda Kirby.
The Pennsylvania Library Association launched the PA
Forward Star Library program in 2017 and has more than 170
libraries registered, including WACL. PA Forward works through
five key literacies—basic literacy, information literacy, civic and
social literacy, health literacy and financial literacy—to assist
residents with enhancing their overall quality of life. The Star
Library recognition offers support to libraries that participate
and demonstrate these literacies in their programming activities.
Those libraries are recognized for meeting action items within
the Bronze, Silver and Gold Star levels of the program.
“Amanda Kirby is an active member of the association,” says
Christi Buker, Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Library
Association. “Western Allegheny Community Library should
be proud to receive Gold Star status, which recognizes the
importance of literacy, and the library is a community pillar
helping its residents move forward!”
Checking off each literacy requirement for bronze, silver
and gold was a team effort. “The library already offered a wide
variety of programs that fit into PA Forward, but the program
gave us a great outline of services we should be providing to
the community,” explains Kirby. “The staff worked on it for six
months and we were really excited because there were no Gold
Star libraries in Allegheny County—we were motivated to be
the first one. Heather Auman, our Technical Services librarian,
took the helm and helped guide it. She was really instrumental in
getting it done.”
Pam Perry, President of the WACL Board of Trustees, says,
“We are so honored and excited to have been chosen as the
first Gold Star Library in Allegheny County. Our mission is to
inspire, engage and educate, and our staff strives to achieve that
in everything they do. We have wonderful programming for all
ages. Our staff works hard to make our library an important part
of our community and we are very proud of the work that they
do. I always enjoy opening the library newsletters so I can see the
creative things that are happening.”
Gold Star status is not slowing down Kirby in continuing
to improve the library for patrons. A strategic plan, based
on community feedback, will be implemented at the end of
February.
“We want the library to be a space that’s welcoming and user
friendly,” she says. “We have a public survey on our website,
have met with different community groups and different
organizations throughout the community to see what people
Western Allegheny Community Library
are interested in and what they
need.”
Future plans include a new
roof and expansion of the Youth
Services Department, which
was made possible by a $50,000
Keystone Grant through the
Keystone Recreation, Park
and Conservation Fund, and
administered by the Department
of Education, the Office of
Commonwealth Libraries
Amanda Kirby, WACL Director
and the Bureau of Library
Development. Indoor space will be reconfigured to provide
more room for youth activities, a dedicated family space will
be added to the children’s area, and the flow of patrons will be
improved throughout the library.
Cathy Scott, of North Fayette, takes her 14-month-old
grandson, Lucas, to Baby Story Time on Wednesdays and says
she’ll always give WACL the highest rating. “Our library offers
a wide variety of programming for all ages—baby story time,
presentations by Heinz History Center, local authors, and
hands-on demonstrations that teach and inspire learning. It’s
one-stop shopping for the mind,” she says.
Scott notes that Kirby encouraged residents in the
community to start the Western Allegheny Community
Historical Society in 2015. “We have continued to find
programs that have been an interest to our community,”
explains Scott. “The library offers to bring in (and pay for) three
of the Heinz History programs during the year through their
Outreach Lecture Program. Top experts in their fields have
come to our library, offering insight into area history, without
people having to drive into the city—plus all of our programs
are free.”
Scott thinks Kirby and the staff serve patrons well. “Amanda
is the best,” she says. “She is constantly striving to offer
programs for all ages and interests, and does whatever is
necessary to accommodate the needs of students, grandparents,
young moms, single parents, and everyone in between.”
For more information on upcoming events at WACL, visit
westernalleghenylibrary.org. ■
WEST ALLEGHENY
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