The Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) announced today that during September’s annual Love Your Library campaign, the 46 library systems in Allegheny County raised a record-breaking $1.31 million in charitable contributions, more than any previous year. Of this amount, more than $852,000, the largest amount of eligible funds ever raised, qualifies for a prorated match from a $200,000 match pool contributed by the Jack Buncher Foundation.

Now in its eighth year, the Love Your Library campaign continues to raise money to support essential services provided by county libraries, including books and materials, support for job seekers, facility improvements, and much, much more.

More than 8,100 donors contributed to the campaign, including nearly 1,400 new supporters, which are also record-breaking numbers for the campaign.

“Once again, Love Your Library month is a resounding success! The overwhelming support we see throughout the county for our libraries is a tribute to the great work our libraries do every day,” said Amy Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Allegheny County Library Association. “We appreciate the generosity of all who gave to our libraries during Love Your Library month and hope that everyone gets the opportunity to take advantage of all the library has to offer throughout the year.”

“We are so proud that Love Your Library month continues to shatter fundraising records for Allegheny County libraries,” said Andrew Medlar, President and Director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “Library supporters are speaking loud and clear about the importance of the services provided by their local institution.”

Since its inception in 2016, Love Your Library has helped Allegheny County libraries raise more than $9 million during the annual September fund drive. The campaign coincides with the American Library Association’s National Library Card Sign-Up Month.

“The Jack Buncher Foundation is very pleased to support the Love Your Library campaign once again. More than ever, services offered by community libraries are vitally important,” said Karen Emmerich, Grants Manager of The Buncher Foundation. “Libraries have become much, much more than a place to just ‘borrow a book’. Linton Weeks, a former staff writer for the Washington Post and currently NPR’s national correspondent for Digital News, made an astute observation when he said, ’In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us to swim.’”

Libraries reported that the Love Your Library campaign continues to reinforce the importance of library services available to people of all ages and backgrounds at no charge. Many libraries are increasing their efforts to raise funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations in order to meet community needs for essential library services, facility improvements, and in-demand programs.

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