Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP)

Andrew Carnegie once envisioned public libraries as places of learning and equal opportunity. Since 1895, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) has been present for every challenge and opportunity facing our community while also engaging people in literacy and learning. While books and materials remain the heart of the library, CLP has transformed into a community cornerstone that focuses on education, workforce and economic development, and neighborhood vitality. The Library empowers people of the Pittsburgh region and helps transform their lives through lifelong learning, digital literacy, and connections to others. At the Library, ideas, people, and community partners interact to create positive change. A detailed description of the Library's program service accomplishments is included in Section O.Every day, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh supports the community with early childhood educational opportunities, out of school learning programs, and myriad services for families, seniors, veterans, entrepreneurs, and immigrants, among others. Our system consists of 19 locations, including CLP-Main and the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP), which serves Pennsylvania residents who have difficulty reading due to physical impairment, reading disability, or vision challenges. The Library Support Center, which is not a public service outlet, provides shared services such as shipping and collections support to all libraries in Allegheny County. The Library's locations offer daytime and evening availability to patrons of all ages and backgrounds, providing a welcoming space for all. Online resources including eBooks, databases, music, and career and educational resources can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Currently, all of our 19 branches have returned to operating schedules similar to those in place pre-pandemic, with plans to continue thoughtfully expanding hours. People of all ages visit the Library for book clubs, educational and cultural programs, or simply to connect with others. We have reintroduced core programs including Storytimes, Kids Club, and Teen Time for youth to enjoy books, crafts, and games while making new friends. CLP staff provide information services (in-person and virtually) for individuals interested in topics such as genealogy, social services, specialized research and collections, as well as all aspects of job searching, career development, vocational training, and higher education. The Library offers access to specialized databases, including the Foundation Directory Online, and programming for the nonprofit community. Additionally, information, services, and programs about starting and running a business are available. In 2022, more than 4.6 million items circulated, including 2.4 million physical items and 1 million electronic items from the Library's catalog and 1.2 million items through LAMP-National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS-LBPH). CLP welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors into our facilities. Customers also accessed library services through 1 million website visits, 562,000 WiFi sessions, 31.3 million WiFi minutes, 238,000 computer sessions, and 11.2 million minutes of computer use. These statistics indicate that our community values and depends on the Library and the many resources it offers to help meet their diverse needs.At the start of 2022, CLP joined other large library systems across the country and many others in Allegheny County in going fine free on a permanent basis. The Library no longer charges late fees on items borrowed from or returned to one of our locations. Studies show that overdue fines can keep people away from the library and inequitably restrict access to library resources. As a result, becoming a fine free system has allowed many families to feel more comfortable returning to the Library, some for the first time in many years, and we have been delighted to welcome them back. CLP continued to work with the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and County libraries to implement and enhance a variety of Shared Services initiatives. CLP led successful projects in areas of Collections, Human Resources, Fund Development, and Facilities Management. Recent projects benefiting participating libraries and residents Countywide included: technical support for cataloging items; the Collections Boost program to supplement individual library collections; expanded access to several databases for Countywide use; the launch of a Countywide Library Mobile App to provide users with enhanced access to the shared catalog, patron accounts, and information; HR support to develop personnel manuals and provide legal advice; and consulting support to build library fundraising capacity.Highlights of 2022 included: -In June 2022, more than 5,000 people of all ages visited CLP - Main for Summer Reading Extravaganza, our annual kick-off to a fun and exciting season of literacy activities designed to help students go back to school ready to learn. Neighborhood libraries held special events, such as visits from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and cultural performances. CLP participated in CitiParks' Summer Meals program by offering nutritional lunches for youth, an important resource for many families who experience increased food insecurity challenges during school breaks. -In the fall, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade students had access to free, professional, in-person reading and math tutoring support at six locations (CLP - Allegheny, CLP - East Liberty, CLP - Hill District, CLP - Homewood, CLP- Knoxville, and CLP - Sheraden). In addition, free virtual tutoring opportunities were available for students in First through Fifth Grade. -CLP is also supporting students' learning through CardFest, a pilot project that launched in the fall at two Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS). This program, inspired by a national initiative promoted by President Barack Obama and led by the Urban Libraries Council, aims for every child enrolled in school to get a library card and access the valuable learning resources available at public libraries. Our goal with CardFest is to improve learning outcomes for all PPS students by connecting students, families, and educators to the many library services and free resources. -In summer 2022, the Library hosted a group of interns through Learn & Earn, a county-wide summer youth employment program for 14 to 21-year-olds from low-and-moderate income families to gain paid work experience. CLP locations and departments across the system provided work roles and mentorship for teens during this six-week program. -The Library launched WeLearn to offer volunteer-led, nonformal learning opportunities inside our libraries. -CLP partnered with Pittsburgh Community Services to offer job fairs, pardon hubs, and records expungement clinics to formerly incarcerated people. -The Library offered personalized book recommendations to patrons as part of the Library's Reader's Service. More than 1,600 items were recommended. -The Passport Challenge, announced in November 2022, encourages patrons of all ages to visit all 19 Library locations. Participants have shared (in person and on social media) how much they enjoy meeting staff from across the system, exploring new neighborhoods, and discovering the tailored collections available to each community. -In December 2022, the Library introduced a new quarterly Program Guide, available through targeted mailings to Pittsburgh households and at all CLP locations. Response has been incredibly positive with many patrons sharing that they were unaware of all that the Library has to offer and that they plan to visit again soon.LAMP: Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians, a network library of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS-LBPH), served more than 14,500 individuals across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the 2021-22 fiscal year, with the circulation of more than 1.2 million items. Staff answered reference questions, promoted accessible technology, discussed the latest bestsellers and favorite authors, and suggested new titles patrons might enjoy. The print and electronic collections offered by LAMP include large print books, audio-described DVDs, audiobooks and magazines, physical braille books, and downloadable audio and braille services such as books and magazines offered through NLS-LBPH. More information on LAMP services is available at mylamp.org.