Saturday, July 30, 2011

Clever Birthday Idea

Mt. Lebanon Library patron donated $99.00 to the library in honor of longtime volunteer Bernie Queneau's 99th birthday. What a generous and gracious idea!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

99-year-old Has No Plans to Slow Down

Article By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bernie Queneau, a longtime volunteer at the Mt. Lebanon Library, celebrates his 99th birthday at the library. It's believed that one of the keys to a long, healthy life is staying active. Bernie Queneau of Mt. Lebanon subscribes to that theory.

At age 99, he is a regular volunteer in The Book Cellar of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library, where last week his 99th birthday was celebrated with a reception and cake. The celebration came about a week after his birthday of July 13. A conscientious volunteer, Mr. Queneau kept checking his watch during the birthday celebration and interviews by reporters, noting that he was away too long from his post as the cashier at the library bookstore, called the Book Cellar. "I'm supposed to be out front," Mr. Queneau explained, not wanting to appear to be a slacker.
Cynthia Richey, library director, said Mr. Queneau was a perfect fit for the volunteer job at the library because he is so well read and knowledgeable. "He has so much spirit and is so smart. The intellectual capacity that he as is a benefit to the community because he can discuss so many topics and current affairs," Mrs. Richey said.

Read more

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Grand Opening of the new senior space –“Senior Resource Center”

SENIOR FAIR & Grand Opening of the Senior Resource Center
Wednesday, July 20 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Seniors, Baby Boomers, Caregivers, and Families are invited to attend the Mt. Lebanon Public Library Senior Fair and Grand Opening of the new senior space –“Senior Resource Center”. The Senior Fair is free and will include:
Tai Chi Demonstrations
Blood Pressure Screening – sponsored by Lebanon Shops Pharmacy
Useful information from Local Service Providers
Library Resources:
Wii
Downloadables
eReaders

This program was supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Special thanks to The Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library for their ongoing support.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Mt. Lebanon Library serious about raising money


Faced with funding cuts in recent years and preparing for further cuts in the future, the Mt. Lebanon Public Library plans to hone its fundraising efforts to fill in the gaps.

The library has contracted with a fundraising consultant, who made several suggestions library director Cynthia Richey said she hoped would propel the library toward its goal of collecting $300,000 to $400,000 in donations over the next three years.

"I think more libraries will be doing this as the traditional government funding streams are reduced, because it's a matter of survival," Ms. Richey said.

The library saw its funding drop from $1.62 million in 2009, to $1.58 million in 2010 and $1.56 million this year, as the state and the Allegheny County Library Association decreased funding. The library has benefited from a supportive municipality, which increased funding to the library by about $150,000 over the past two years, including an additional $38,500 recently, which the library used to resume its Sunday hours of operation.

Despite the most recent municipal funding influx, the library let go two full-time librarians, one full-time assistant and one part-time librarian in January, resulting in a staff of 36 full-time and part-time employees, down from 50 a few years ago.

The Mt. Lebanon Commission helped the library to narrow the funding gap, Ms. Richey said.

"We could see the writing on the wall, and we knew that business as usual was no longer sustainable," she said.

At the beginning of 2010, the library's board of trustees formed a fundraising committee with members of the Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library group, and last fall, they hired a fundraising consultant. The consultant conducted an audit of the library's fundraising past and then developed a plan.
The library has used creative fundraising techniques in the past, raising money with proceeds from a small bookstore in the basement of the library, an annual garden tour and a donation page on the website.
The consultant prepared a list of suggestions, including setting up a planned giving program to encourage people to put the library in their wills or charitable trusts; creating a brand for the library to better market it as a recipient for donations; publicizing that donations can be made to the library through United Way; and planning a large gala to celebrate the library's 80th anniversary in 2012.

"She's given us a timeline for us to stick to, a three-year plan to help us guide our fundraising efforts," library board president Chris Cahillane said.

One of her suggestions was that the library perform a year-end appeal. It did it for the first time during the six weeks between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31 last year, and Ms. Richey said the library raised about $22,000.
In the fall, the library raised $7,400 through the Pittsburgh Foundation Day of Giving, an event they will participate in next year, as well. The library will also seek out larger gifts from foundations and community members and remind people that membership dues in the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library benefit the library financially.

First published on February 17, 2011 at 6:00 am

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Library Cuts Staff

The Almanac (Link no longer available)