This week, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will be holding the first of several meetings to gather community input on a strategic plan for the next five years.
Because their main source of funding comes from The Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has to provide them with a strategic plan about every five years. This time around, the library is seeking input from the community in drawing up their plan.
Four core areas will be discussed: the library in the city; the future of libraries; library funding; and fundraising and connecting with our community.
The last five-year plan called for six goals and initiatives within those goals. Mary Frances Cooper, President and Director of the library, says it was successful — many of the branches were revamped for example.
The last several years have been tumultuous for the library — there were cuts, closures and reduced hours — and then, with a ballot referendum in the last election, much of that has been turning around.
Cooper says the changes that have occurred in the publishing and technology industries in the last few years should have a place in the next five year plan.
"It is important that we incorporate a least a couple of things into the strategic plan, in my opinion: that we incorporate the flexibility to adjust to whatever new opportunities come our way or new technology developments," said Cooper.
The first of three meetings will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday at St. Nicholas Church, across Forbes Avenue from the main branch in Oakland.