Allegheny County Library Association

ACLA is a federated library system of 46 public libraries with a mission to promote the highest quality public library service possible for all residents of Allegheny County. While each library is independent with its own local governance, membership in ACLA enables resource sharing: a single library card valid at any ACLA library, universally available eBooks and online reference materials, a common online catalog, and countywide initiatives.

Through centralized coordination ACLA expands the resources of local libraries beyond what they could accomplish individually. ACLA:
• Solicits and receives funding annually from local and state agencies and disperses it to member libraries according to detailed formulas. ACLA is accountable for reporting and compliance. ACLA also seeks funding for special projects that may involve all or multiple libraries.
• Coordinates Youth Services county-wide by serving as the liaison for State and County initiatives, researching and disseminating best practices, and coordinating county-wide programming.
• Offers professional development sessions for library staff, such as STEM training for children's librarians or mental health first aid for all staff, to improve the staff's skills and increase the effectiveness of libraries as educational institutions.
• Builds partnerships with County agencies and corporations and nonprofits to leverage resources for programming. Examples of partners are the Allegheny County Health Department, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
• Manages bookmobile service to select senior facilities and pre-school centers (e.g., Head Start programs) and (for a fee) to communities within the County without ready access to a local library.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to build the governance and management capacity of individual libraries. Provides back office financial management services to individual libraries on an opt-in basis.
• Convenes the membership for purposes of strategic planning and resource sharing.

Testimonials

Regarding ACLA's new opt-in financial management services:

* [Our] library's financial system was lacking structure and direction until the Borough Council and the Board of Directors of the Library decided to utilize [ACLA's] services to manage the Accounting functions. Borough Council considers the Library a significant asset of the borough and we had concerns about the Library's financial oversight. We are now receiving more timely information and detailed reporting which satisfies the needs of the Borough to have a better understanding of the activities at the Library.
-- Borough Manager

* Being an independent library also means that benefits other employers extend are either not available or too cost prohibitive for a small staff. By pooling payroll options with a larger group, my Library now has the opportunity to offer benefits which will help with staff turnover in a field that needs skilled and well-trained employees to serve the community.
-- Library Director

* Having ACLA provide our financial management allows our library board and library director to focus our attention on our core library activities. It also allows us to have the appropriate financial information when and how needed.
-- President Board of Directors