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 $1.26 million in charitable contributions, more than any previous year. Of this amount, almost $825,000, 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 seventh 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 7,450 donors contributed to the campaign, including nearly 1,205 new supporters.

“The residents of Allegheny County have once again demonstrated the importance of our community libraries,” said Amy Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny County Library Association. “These individual contributions along with the financial commitment of the Jack Buncher Foundation, will continue to strengthen the vast services and resources provided to our residents.”

“The Love Your Library Campaign is an inspirational campaign that uplifts our entire community,” said Andrew Medlar, President and Director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “Contributors clearly demonstrated how much they believe in libraries as a place where everyone is welcome and has free access to trained staff and essential services.”

Since its inception in 2016, Love Your Library has helped Allegheny County libraries raise more than $7.76 million during the annual September fund drive. The campaign coincides with the American Library Association’s National Library Card Sign-Up Month.

“An article by Jennifer Howard in Humanities: The Magazine for the National Endowment for the Humanities stated ‘There aren’t many truly public places left in America’ and when you think about that, you realize just how true the sentence rings. Ms. Howard explains further, ‘The public library requires nothing of its visitors: no purchases, no membership fees, no dress code. You can stay all day, and you don’t have to buy anything.’ In today’s world, this is remarkable. The Love Your Library campaign plays a vital role in supporting local libraries, allowing them to remain Free to the People,” said Karen Emmerich, Program Officer of the Jack Buncher Foundation.

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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