THE NEW LOVE FOR
LIBRARIES
Marilyn Jenkins, Executive Director, Allegheny
County Library Association
Now more than ever, residents are
discovering a new love for Allegheny
County’s community libraries and their
invaluable programs and services. This
new love was evident in another successful
‘Love Your Library’ campaign during the
month of September.
This annual collaboration between
ACLA and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
(CLP) supports the mission of learning
and growing through our community
libraries. The campaign was enhanced by
the Jack Buncher Foundation, which has
provided prorated matching funds of up
to $150,000 each year. These funds are
used to secure essential library services,
improve facilities and offer educational
programs for children and adults.
Offering free technology workshops,
small business centers and 24/7 virtual
access to eBooks and digital materials,
libraries are transforming communities.
No longer just places for books,
libraries are viewed as anchors, centers
for academic life and research, and
cherished spaces. Allegheny County has
a network of libraries with 73 locations,
providing books, resources and a range
of experiences and opportunities for all
members of our community.
Children and young parents can access
kindergarten readiness and curriculum
support classes, while teens can learn
to become creators and experimenters.
Adults benefit from an array of
specialized programs, including parenting
and caregiver education, workforce
development, computer training, job
assistance and small business development
support services.
Across all of the 73 locations, Allegheny
County libraries have a single card
library card system, provide free access to
materials through a shared catalog, jointly
offer downloadable books, audios, and
videos as well as online databases, and
support a diverse calendar of programs.
But it isn’t just the resources and
programs that patrons love about libraries.
Libraries also provide a unique and safe
place where one will find curious people
from all ages and walks of life, which truly
represents the diverse and multi-ethnic
population of Allegheny County.
Allegheny County’s libraries have
continued to thrive and meet the needs
of our communities by providing services
that people demand in a world where
information, technology and forms of
delivery are changing rapidly.
Our brick-and-mortar buildings and
e-based resources will continue to evolve
and respond to the needs of our residents.
We encourage learners of all ages to take
some time to visit their local library and
see all it has to offer.
ONE-OF-A KIND CAR DONATION
PROGRAM
Community Auto, a program of The Lighthouse
Foundation, is a non-profit, low-income car ownership
program that accepts donated cars, and repairs and inspects
them if necessary. The car is then sold to qualified, working,
low-income people at discounted prices, as compared to a
regular used car dealership. This is the only organization of its
kind in Western Pennsylvania that puts your car back into the
hands of a family in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
The used car sitting in the garage that you didn’t sell
because it was a hassle, or the car that didn’t get the trade-in
value you wanted, or that one the kids used for school and is
no longer needed, is the perfect car to donate. Your generous
donation is the fuel for the program and is tax deductible.
Contact Community Auto today at communityautolico.
org or at 724.538.5081 to find out just how easy it is to donate
your car and give a family a hand toward self-sufficiency. n
WEST MIFFLIN
❘
WI NT E R 2019
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