Be Local: Public libraries remain a community investment
Public libraries are often overlooked as a community investment as they play a significant role in the digital age to increase awareness of the value, impact and services they offer.
While they have made a lifelong impression on literacy and learning, public libraries are no longer a place just for books.
In fact, libraries of all types are viewed as anchors, centers for academic life and research and cherished spaces, according to the American Library Association (ALA).
“Professionally trained librarians help patrons make sense of this vast array of information and connect them to vetted sources and local resources,” said Christi Buker, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA).
Buker added that libraries have also transformed into community centers as a safe place for all ages to obtain internet access, search for jobs, do genealogy research, hear stories or join a book club.
The latest statistics from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) for 2012 reported there are 456 public libraries in Pennsylvania with 629 public outlets.
A total of 40 libraries are located among Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, serving a total population of 689,828.
In 2014, these libraries had a circulation of 2,106,748 items.
According to Buker, libraries take on many forms within their communities providing tools such as technology, education and social services to a large segment of the population.
However, a 2013 report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project indicated that 20 percent of people that responded to a survey said they don’t know very much about what is offered at their local public library, and 10 percent said they know “nothing at all.”
Libraries in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties are PaLA members and the only ones in the state to have a consortium where members can have books shipped to their home library from another library in several days.
“The awareness of libraries as highly valuable community resources can be limited,” said Buker.
Today, Buker said public libraries carry large-print books, audiobooks, e-books, movies, music and even laptops that are appropriate for children.
Databases for researching topics ranging from scholarships to health-related research can be found at libraries without having to pay for expensive subscriptions.
Buker said employers can encourage their staff to sign up for free online training through their local library, which can be completed at any location. For example, Carnegie offers free Gale courses that provide Microsoft Word or Excel training.
Access to government documents, meeting and teleconferencing and 3-D printing are other available services at public libraries.
A few examples of activities and programs at local libraries include a meet the artist night, musical theater program for children, teens and adults, book club, Pokémon Club and block party and genealogy area.
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.