Dear Library Friend,
Thirty years ago, a handful of dedicated volunteers joined forces with the municipalities of Findlay, North Fayette, and Oakdale to create Western Allegheny Community Library. The library was established to improve as many lives as possible. And I am proud to say that this past year especially, we have done just that!
Many of the things we had once taken for granted have been swept out from underneath us. COVID-19 has caused serious disruption to our daily lives - whether it be to our finances, jobs, education, or general well-being. For some, the consequences related to COVID-19 have been even more severe. But the library has continued to adjust and transform to meet the needs of the community.
During 2020, we became an invaluable resource for job hunters, an office for those forced to work remotely, and an outlet for socialization (albeit virtually) for those that could no longer attend dance class, scouts, or book club. By tweaking our services, we were able to offer over 650 hands-on, educational and recreational programs for children and adults. Adults learned how to access our electronic resources, navigate fact vs fiction on the internet, and relax using Yoga techniques. Our younger attendees learned how to follow routines in preparation for kindergarten, created architectural challenges with Legos, prepared healthy and delicious snacks, and continued accruing needed volunteer hours. We also adjusted our lending policies to accommodate remote registration and curbside pickup, allowing residents to check out 155,820 items (at the average cost of $15 a book, that’s a community savings of over $2.3 million)!
We could not have done this alone. It’s through the generosity of our community that this small non-profit organization was able to offer so many important resources. Without a doubt, the services we provide will continue to be invaluable throughout the next few years and long after the effects of COVID-19 have subsided. However, it’s not too soon to think about what the community will need in the months and years to come. Staying on top of the ever-changing needs of our community presents unique challenges, all of which create additional expenses. While our funders have remained committed to the important work we do, we will still fall short of the nearly $600,000 required to operate annually. That’s why we’re turning to you. We need your help to ensure the library is able to continue to pivot on a moment’s notice and meet the needs of our community.
I believe Western Allegheny Community Library is truly remarkable, and we all need a place like this, now more than ever. With your help, WACL can continue their amazing work. I hope you will join me in making a generous donation to Western Allegheny Community Library to ensure that everyone in our community has equal access to educational opportunities, freedom of information, and hands-on opportunities to learn, to explore, and to grow.
Together, we can impact our community in a lasting way. Your gift can be made online at westernalleghenylibrary.org. Thank you for your continued support!
Erin Carlisle
Board President
