Love for libraries has been growing for 10 years each September throughout Allegheny County

Allegheny County residents love their libraries. Every September they prove it by donating to an annual drive that just keeps growing.

This is the 10^th year for Love Your Library, a matching effort that has raised millions of dollars. It has not only eased budget pressures but also lets communities embrace and celebrate the important role libraries continue to play in their communities with fun creative activities and events.

Last year donors — matched by the Jack Buncher Foundation — contributed a record $1.71 million, according the Allegheny County Library Association. Funds raised by libraries since 2016 total $9.73 million.

The 46 member libraries plus the Bookmobile and ACLA split the match pool last year, with a median match of $3,093.30 per participant. ACLA Projects and Partnerships Manager Megan Zagorski said 9,439 individual donors contributed.

ACLA and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh lead the yearly effort, providing marketing materials and promotional and organizational help to participating libraries. The way it works is the Buncher Foundation matches contributions up to $500 per library from a $200,000 pool. Each library’s share is prorated based on the amount each one raises. The NiSource Charitable Foundation and Columbia Gas gave an additional match pool contribution for the 2025 drive, according to the Love Your Library website.

The Buncher Foundation declined to comment on the drive for this article. The late Jack Buncher, who started in business as a scrap dealer but grew his company to become a large real estate development firm in Pittsburgh, died at 90 in 2001 and gave away millions of dollars to local and out-of-town nonprofits, including the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. 

Zagorski and ACLA Executive Director Amy Anderson have both worked for the association for four years, so they weren’t around when the drive began. With Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, they share the work behind it. The organizations receive a marketing budget on top of the Buncher Foundation’s matching pool that covers the swag items available to member libraries and an advertising budget for TV, radio and social media ads.

Zagorski said the marketing efforts drive Love Your Library. “We would not have been able to achieve this level of brand recognition without that marketing money to really get the word out like that,” she said.

Anderson said library budgets have been difficult to meet in recent years. The state funding has been stagnant, as have contributions from municipalities, and Allegheny Regional Asset District money has gone up about 3% or 4%. She said the ACLA has no complaints about the support, but funding has not been enough to meet rising costs.

Love Your Library has become a lifeline as a result. “So this kind of fundraising that goes on during September is helping our libraries to provide the programming that their communities want, and it’s helping to provide the books and materials and the things that their communities are looking for in the library,” Anderson said. “So supporting our public libraries in September, of course, but year-round is becoming more and more important in order for our libraries to maintain a level of service that we all know and love.”

Allegheny County libraries have not been directly affected by federal cuts and freezes, but the state funding could. The problem is everything is so uncertain, and the state budget impasse amplifies that anxiety. Pennsylvania’s public library subsidy that all receive is legislatively determined.

The loss of federal money to the states could affect, for example, the Pennsylvania Power Library that provides access to all the databases and electronic resources, something that is completely funded by Institute of Museum and Library Services money, Anderson said. “There is a real risk of that going away,” Anderson said. “There are some major things that state residents and Allegheny County residents will lose out on. We don’t know what the future will bring here.”

Another statewide initiative that could be affected by cuts in state funding is the online chat with a librarian now available 24 hours a day.

Normally state funding flows to county libraries in January, although Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh typically receives its in August. It is large enough to be able to float that money for a time, but if it isn’t resolved soon, “there will be some pain points we have to manage at the libraries,” Anderson said.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Director of Development Anne Lee said her organization is the pass-through for the donations. “Every single book that is moved from one part of the county to the other, all of that happens within CLP infrastructure,” she said, “and we use that infrastructure for Love Your Library.” That includes the logistical support that makes the September effort successful.

Both ACLA and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh understand how local support and giving have become critical for libraries.

“Fundraising for libraries is such a young method of support, although we’re such an old institution. We’ve been around forever,” Lee said, who worked as a librarian for 14 years within the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh before moving on to fundraising roles. “It’s such a new idea. We’ve been learning it together in a lot of ways. Love Your Library has been such an important part of the learning process.

“We can’t do this without individual giving. It’s important for our communities to know they are part of what makes libraries great. For some folks, Love Your Library has been the first time to say that out loud.”

She just returned from a national fundraising conference and discovered that it is unique to take an entire month to celebrate libraries. And there’s more: “It’s unique that we’re a consortium of libraries working together and sharing the message that everyone benefits,” Lee said. “The fact that there is a generous matching pool is very unique. To have that consistent matching pool year after year is special.”

Lee said for the most part the drive has had 100% participation from its member libraries, and she expects the same this year. Looking back, during the first year 46 participating libraries raised half a million dollars. In 2024 47 took part and nearly doubled that to almost $1 million in contributions that could be matched.  

“This has been incredibly positive since the beginning,” the development director said. “There’s been a lot of consistency. We’re learning together what works, how to get messages out to everyone, bring people into the library space and talk about support.”

ACLA has added a Love Your Library merchandise online store to meet increasing requests. All proceeds will be added to the matching pool.

Anderson knows that the swag is out there and evident. She traveled to Erie recently and saw signs en route and people at the Waldamere & Water World amusement park carrying Love Your Library tote bags.

“It’s our favorite time of year,” she said. “I love going out into the county and seeing the [Love Your Library] signs out everywhere. It’s fun seeing all of that stuff and knowing that people that are wearing those things or have the signs in their yard or are wearing the T-shirts or carrying the bag. It’s great to know that they love their library enough to wear the stuff or to carry the bag.

“We want people to come into the libraries, use the libraries, and know that we are here for them and can help them with finding the information they need on any number of topics.”

September became an even better month for libraries when RAD announced the yearlong expansion of RAD Pass, an online ticketing platform that gives Allegheny County library cardholders free and discounted access to some of the region’s most beloved cultural destinations. That includes the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and National Aviary, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and performing arts such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Opera.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh manages the RAD Pass platform, making it easy to access and use, and works alongside all ACLA libraries to provide library card access that connects thousands of residents to cultural opportunities across the region, according to a news release about the expansion. Anderson said they have all been thrilled about the expansion.

Libraries around the county have scheduled events and activities for September as part of the celebration. Lee noted there were four events just last Sunday at the main branch in Oakland. Zagorski and Anderson said they don’t have a favorite around the county. They love visiting and checking out what is going on.

Here are just a few:

C.C. Mellor Memorial Library will hold its fourth annual Adopt-a-Book party from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 at CCM Edgewood located at 1 Pennwood Ave. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Attendees can enjoy food, drink and conversation while perusing hundreds of adoptable books of all genres and for all ages to grow the library’s collections. It is also partnering with Spigolo, 101 Edgewood Ave., on a Love Your Library-themed menu item. The item will be available until Sept. 19, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to CCM’s Love Your Library campaign. Anyone who purchases it will receive a Love Your Library 10th anniversary button while supplies last.

Northland, the second largest library in Allegheny County, serves Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, McCandless, Ross and Marshall. It has been having a great time on social media and its website with 30 Days and 30 Ways to Love Your Library.

It held a murder mystery earlier this month. Its Children’s Gala 2025: Under the Sea, presented by AHN Wexford, promises an evening full of fun and wonder at the library for families with young children. It includes live entertainment, games, strolling book characters and more from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20. Cost is $25 per person, and tickets can be ordered here.

On Sept. 26-28 patrons can Shop the Fall Book Sale for deals on used books, DVDs, games and more. Residents who prefer to shop early without the crowds can register to attend the preview sale Sept. 25 for $10. Order preview sale tickets here.

The library is gearing up for a construction project that will begin the week of Sept. 30 and is anticipated to be completed in early fall. According to its website, a brand-new lower-level entrance, increased accessibility, an open lower lobby and service areas, a renovated layout and extended social spaces is part of it, and, yes, no more spiral staircase.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s “Best Books for Babies,” the only library-curated book list of its kind in the nation, is celebrating its 26^th year with a special book distribution event — including baby’s first library card — at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland on Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. until noon in the hospital lobby. Developed by CLP librarians and child development experts, the nationally recognized list is updated annually and helps parents and caregivers choose high-quality books for babies from birth to 18 months. Each book is evaluated against 25 criteria, including age-appropriate content, rhythm and rhyme, and authentic representation of diverse families. More information about Best Books for Babies, including an archive of previous selections, can be found at bestbooksforbabies.org.

Clairton Public Library will have an indoor flea market on Sept. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Crown Hall, 310 Waddell Ave. Love Your Library T-shirts will be on sale for $10, tote bags for $5, and used books for $1 and up.

Jefferson Hills Library has a Trivia Night planned to finish the month on Sept. 30 starting at 6:30 p.m. Teams of six — ages 12 and up recommended — can compete for a $300 grand prize and door prizes between rounds. The entry fee is $50, and registration closes Sept. 24. Patrons can also take chances on themed raffle baskets all month long and add to the library’s heart display to explain what makes it special to them. A Panera fundraiser is set for Sept. 20.

Penn Hills Public Library has its first spirit week coming up Sept. 22-26. Each day has a special theme: pajamas, decades, the beach, tie day and record day. Stumped as to how to do it? Check out the photos from prior events for inspiration.

The online Love Your Library Store can be accessed at www.bonfire.com/store/loveyourlibrary/.

To donate this month, go to https://www.loveyourlibrary.org/loveyourlibrary/#donate.