History of ACLA

ACLA's story begins in 1991 when the County Controller's office issued a special report entitled, "A Quiet Crisis: Libraries in Allegheny County". The report detailed the dismal state of County libraries and challenged the library community to improve service and increase funding. At that point in time, libraries worked independently of one another. There was little to no cooperation across municipal borders. The report's recommendations urged libraries to coordinate and cooperate. ACLA was created in response to the call to action.

Significant Highlights:

• Following publication of "A Quiet Crisis" Allegheny County Commissioners appointed the Commission on the Future of Libraries in Allegheny County (CFLAC) with Frank Lucchino (then County Controller) as Chair. The Commission was charged with working to address the issues highlighted in the report.
• Libraries formed a voluntary association called County Library Association Serving the People (CLASP). CLASP promoted communication among libraries and worked within the library community to address the issues highlighted in "A Quiet Crisis".
• With three-years of grant support from the Buhl Foundation a County Library Director was hired. This position served to assist libraries in coordinating their efforts countywide. 1993
• State legislation was passed allowing the establishment of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD). Through an additional 1% sales tax collected in the County, funds were made available to support regional assets. County libraries successfully lobbied to be recognized collectively as a regional asset.
• CFLAC established the first Knowledge Connection, a mini-library located in and serving and staffed by residents of public housing.

• CLASP incorporated, becoming the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA). The County provided administrative oversight for ACLA by contract through the office of the County Library Director.
• ARAD committed a minimum of $5,000,000 of annual funding to county libraries for a contractual period of ten years. This funding was designated as supplemental to local government support.

• The Electronic Information Network (eiNetwork) was launched as a partnership of ACLA, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), and CFLAC. Built with capital investments from the Foundation community, Allegheny County, and ACLA, the eiNetwork established a common automation system for libraries throughout the County.

• ACLA was re-established as a federated library system. By so doing ACLA began receiving direct funding from the State through Commonwealth Libraries and became eligible for State grants.

• ACLA hired the County Library Director as its first full time executive director.
• CFLAC was de-commissioned and ACLA assumed its role in ensuring countywide access to library service. This included oversight of Mobile Services on behalf of Allegheny County and administration of Knowledge Connections.
• Following publication of the Philadelphia Inquirer's series "Libraries in Distress" and the Pennsylvania Library Association's "Platform for 21st Century Libraries" the State Legislature passed significant increases in the State Subsidy for public libraries (State funding nearly tripled during Governor Ridge's tenure).

• By agreement with the CLP ACLA assumed direct administration of Mobile Services.
• eiNetwork is incorporated as a separate 501c3 with two members, ACLA and CLP.

• ACLA launched the One Book, One Community annual literary program. Underwritten by grants and support from Allegheny County, the program is designed to promote civic conversation countywide.

• Libraries experienced a 34% budget cut from the State resulting in severe cuts to programs, resources, hours, and staff.
• ACLA launched a three-year program of Board Development for local library trustees. Funded by LSTA and private grants (Heinz Endowments, Pittsburgh Foundation, and Buhl Foundation) the program was developed in collaboration with the Nonprofit Leadership Institute of Duquesne University.

• ACLA assumes coordination of Youth Services countywide, including the Summer Reading Club program, on behalf of District Services.
• ACLA launched a two-year program of Leadership Development for library directors. Funded by private grants (Buhl Foundation and an anonymous foundation) the program was developed in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership and the Nonprofit Leadership Institute.

• ACLA relocated the Mobile Services program from its historical location in the West End to new headquarters on the North Shore.

• Based on recommendations from an outside consultant's report, ACLA reconfigured Knowledge Connections, moving from a site-based to a plug-in model. This maximized effective and efficient use of community resources and provided flexible, customizable service.
• An 18-month process, managed by Olszak Management, Inc. was launched to develop a new ARAD funding formula.
• ACLA is looking at ways to incorporate more user-input into the design and delivery of library services, following national trends (Library 2.0).