Nov 27, 2013 3 min read

The New Year will bring some changes to the Bridgeville Public Library, most of which will not be visible to those who use it.

On Nov. 19, the Bridgeville library and South Fayette Township Library agreed to a partnership to maximize collective resources and staff.

A press release through the Allegheny County Library Assoc. stated, “In a day of shrinking budgets and shifting technology, these libraries are breaking new ground, deciding to work in tandem to deliver library service to residents of Bridgeville, South Fayette and beyond.”

“The project is still in the process of being determined by South Fayette,” said Bridgeville Public Library president Becky Wisbon on Nov. 25. She said a timeline has not been established.

The current employees at the library at 505 McMillen St. in Bridgeville will have their jobs reviewed, along with their duties, by South Fayette. After the review and analysis of the current job descriptions, South Fayette library will post the jobs and the current employees may apply, Wisbon said. Those who are hired will be employees of the South Fayette library, and not the Bridgeville library. Wisbon likened the process to a reorganization.

The current board at the Bridgeville library will remain, as well as the Friends of the Bridgeville Library. The name, Bridgeville Public Library, will not be changed.

Wisbon said the day-to-day operations of the Bridgeville library will be handled by the South Fayette Library, located at 515 Millers Run Road, Morgan.

Currently, the Bridgeville library, in addition to teen and adult volunteers, has two full-time employees and three to four part-time employees. Wisbon is acting as the liaison between South Fayette and the Bridgeville employees.

“Those who live in our communities don’t see boundaries when they look for service. Our libraries have long recognized that and are committed to finding better ways to leverage the tax support we receive,” said South Fayette Township Library president Robert Milacci.

By contracting to the South Fayette library, the two libraries will focus on resources of direct public service, and the libraries will be able to share programming, back-room support and an outreach to the residents of both communities.

Contracting out is not a new concept in Allegheny County. Focus On Renewal owns the McKees Rocks library and has an agreement with the Sewickley Public Library.

According to the ACLA, Bridgeville is a small community limited by its tax base.

Wisbon said the agreement with South Fayette is an “optimistic opportunity.”

“I look forward to linking the two communities,” Wisbon concluded.