Your Support is a Lifeline for One Busy Mom (and so many others!)

Your generosity keeps eResources accessible to everyone, everywhere in Allegheny County.

Taking a stroll through the stacks of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is a delight that isn’t always in the cards due to hectic schedules or proximity to the city. But Brittany Mihalko Bozak quickly discovered another way to easily access all of the eResources the Library has available to cardholders. It was a joyful realization — one that also helped her navigate through an extremely difficult season in her life.

“I started reading again in 2021 after my son was born to combat postpartum anxiety,” she said. “The escape from reality with a cushy romance from Katherine Center or exciting fantasy from Wesley Chu really helped me relax.” It was also the convenient access to eResources that piqued her interest in cozying up to a book. “I started using CLP’s eResources in January 2024 when I joined Libby due to the practicality of delivery right to my phone/device and the vast library of books and materials available. Since then, I have read and listened to all sorts of books.”

Libby, a free app created by OverDrive and used by public libraries across the country, has become one of CLP’s most popular eResources. It allows cardholders the ability to borrow titles 24/7 without leaving the comfort of their home. Patrons download the app to their phone, tablet or web browser. From there, they are prompted to find their local library and sign in using their library card. Easy-to-use filters, extensive catalog guides and specially curated lists created by the Library highlight countless online resources for Pittsburgh-area residents: from fiction to nonfiction books, children’s books, movies and music.

In the Libby app, patrons can easily read or manage their borrowed titles, check the status of their holds, review their activity history and receive in-app notifications. All books, audiobooks and magazine loans can also be downloaded for offline use via a Wi-Fi connection. For Brittany, the process—from start to finish—was a breeze.

“Once (my accounts) were linked, it was off to the races,” she said. “I save time and money with the content the Library puts on there because it’s delivered directly to me.”

Although eResources are free to people with a Library card, they are not free to the Library. The cost to libraries is increasing immensely, but thanks to donors like you, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh can continue providing these books, movies, music and other digital materials to people who need them.

Despite not living in the city of Pittsburgh, checking out CLP’s vast range of titles has never been a problem for Brittany. Patrons of libraries belonging to the Allegheny County Library Association can borrow materials from any other participating library. While all public libraries in Allegheny County and the Regional Asset District (RAD) contribute to support the shared countywide electronic resource collections, in 2024, CLP provided 72 percent of the funds.

For Brittany, that reach has been invaluable. “Smaller communities can receive the eResources supported by CLP without having to come into the city. The resources are not limited to where you live,” she said.

“The convenience of having an online catalog of resources available to patrons at all times allows the Library to expand its collection far beyond its walls,” said Hilary Lewis, CLP’s Coordinator of eResources. “Our online resources include eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics and graphic novels, as well as movies and television shows, music albums, resources for skill building and hobbies, and of course, research databases. This expands the scope of our physical collection and creates the opportunity for those who may not be able to visit us in person to still enjoy the use of our resources,” she added.

For Brittany, having full access to CLP’s wide range of eResources has been a game changer. “I can get eBooks right to my Kindle. I can listen to eAudiobooks on Libby. In 2025, I’m planning on learning more about what Carnegie Library has to offer outside of books, including LinkedIn Learning and Creativebug,” she said.

Brittany’s positive experience inspired her to make the generous decision to become a CLP donor, but in a way that felt unique to her. “Since I have started using the Library for my reading, I’ve also been keeping track of how much money I have saved by not purchasing a book for my personal collection,” she said.

“When the September Love Your Library campaign came out with the donation match, I knew it was the right time to ‘pay it back,’ if you will. At the time of the donation, I donated roughly the whole of what I had saved for the year at that
point. Now nearing December, I have saved over $1,000 thanks to the generosity of donors. It felt only right to pay it back to help keep CLP Free to the People.”

Because of you, patrons like Brittany can access life-changing resources anywhere and anytime.

To learn more about how to use eResources on your phone or device, explore our tutorial videos or stop into your local CLP Neighborhood Library location.