Love Your Library campaign provides another record-breaking year for Allegheny County Libraries during September with $1.31 Million raised

The Jack Buncher Foundation provides match to support literacy and learning

Pittsburgh, PA – November XX, 2023 

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. 

Amy Anderson Quote 

“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.” – need to check this quote with Andrew 

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.  

Quote from Karen Emmerich, JBF  

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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About Allegheny County Library Association  

The Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) is a federated library system of 46 public libraries delivering service in more than 70 locations. Member Libraries include Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which has 19 locations, and 45 other libraries and their branches located outside the City of Pittsburgh throughout Allegheny County. Each library is independent and has its own board of directors; as a consortium they share a countywide catalog, jointly offer downloadable books, audios, and videos as well as online databases, and provide a diverse calendar of programming events. The eiNetwork supports the automated library operations, internet access, and free Wi-Fi services available at all county libraries. Through its coordination, ACLA expands the resources of local libraries beyond what they could accomplish individually. aclalibraries.org 

About Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh   

The mission of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) is to engage our community in literacy and learning. CLP is supporting individual achievement and strengthening the power of community. Through the community’s investment, the Library is enhancing the lives of people in the greater Pittsburgh region with dynamic and diverse resources such as creative learning programs for children and teens, job and career assistance for our community’s workforce, and free computer and internet access for all. The Library builds community, enables learning, provides access and values people. carnegielibrary.org. 

Contact 

Suzanne Thinnes, Manager, Communications, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh  

412.578.2458 

thinness@carnegielibrary.org 

Megan Zagorski, Projects and Partnerships Manager, Allegheny County Library Association  

412.921.1123 x308 

zagorskim4@einetwork.net