New $5 Million Fund Will Invest in Libraries Across Allegheny County

Media Contact: James Santelli - js@radworkshere.org

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – More than a dozen libraries all over Allegheny County have a new lifeline of support.

The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) board of directors unanimously approved a new Transformative Community Library Fund, which will make $5 million available to local libraries over the next four years.

Allegheny County libraries serving municipalities that have been designated as distressed are able to apply for grants through the Fund. The best ideas will focus on programming, partnerships and planning to strengthen the future of public libraries in our communities.

“Few understand the hopes and needs of a community more so than its librarians. They are counselors, educators, advisors, researchers, caretakers, and friends of their communities,” said Sylvia Fields, Secretary/Treasurer of RAD’s board of directors. “We believe this investment will continue to strengthen a library’s connection to the community and increase equity for all.”

Goals for the Transformative Community Library Fund include:

• Expanding and enhancing library experiences for current and future patrons
• Establishing relationships with other libraries to optimize operations and sharing services
• Building and sustaining organizational capacity, including staff and board leadership that is committed to measurable engagement
• Centering libraries in community building and neighborhood development strategies
• Optimizing funding opportunities that support long-term results

America’s public libraries are seeing a renewed appreciation as cornerstones of social infrastructure. And communities with fewer resources often rely more on libraries for access to information, education and social cohesion than their well-resourced neighboring communities. However, research indicates that libraries located in these traditionally under-resourced communities are more likely to have less funding, fewer items in their collections, smaller workforces, and shorter hours – all issues that the Transformative Community Library Fund is hoping to tackle.

“I think it’s critical,” said Dusty Elias Kirk, chair of RAD’s board of directors. “It’s something that is really important to us: to bring libraries in distressed communities to a higher level of service. It’s important to all of us.”

Libraries that are eligible for grants have already been invited to apply, with a minimum request of $25,000.

“The Transformative Community Library Fund is a collaborative effort between RAD and library leaders that we’ve been developing for a long time,” said Rich Hudic, Executive Director of RAD. “And I am ecstatic that we have initiated the launch.”

Hudic says that the Fund could potentially go beyond the $5 million outlay if project applications merit such an increase. “Quite frankly,” Hudic said, “I’m pretty certain if requests that are quality, that are impactful, that are transformative, should they exceed the need, I assure you that the Library Committee would consider those opportunities.”