Exploring 21st Century Library Service in Allegheny County

From January 2014 to June 2014, library stakeholders from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County joined together to discuss how to ensure that Allegheny County's public libraries remain strong, sustainable community assets and to identify new models for collaborative library service for the community. A County-City Library Service Panel was tasked with identifying strategies for effective cooperation between Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), Allegheny County Library Associations (ACLA), and the Electronic Information Network (EIN).

The Process

The process sought feedback from the community; library directors, trustees and staff of the 45 public libraries in Allegheny County; and from the County-City Library Service Panel made up of representatives appointed by ACLA and CLP and chaired by the Buhl Foundation.
Over 25 public community meetings were held at libraries across Allegheny County. The results were compiled and discussed with County library stakeholders at meetings held with ACLA’s General Membership on February 13, April 3, and June 5, 2014.

Panel Members

Chairman: Fred Thieman, President, Buhl Foundation

ACLA appointees:

Leslie Britton Dozier
Tom Herward
Claire Shubik-Richards
Marcia Taylor

CLP appointees:

Patrick Dowd
Lafe Metz
Rick Pierchalski
Carol Robinson

This process was led by the Boards of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Library Association in conjunction with the Buhl Foundation. Moderation was provided by Nicole Swerhun of Swerhun Facilitation.