Northland Public Library thriving despite pandemic

Despite the challenges of a pandemic — or maybe because of them — the Northland Public Library was one of the busiest libraries in Allegheny County last year.

The library, located on Cumberland Road in McCandless, serves Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall, McCandless and Ross and is one of the 46 independent public libraries of the Allegheny County Library System.

Northland had the highest circulation of physical items checked out and renewed for 2021 at 945,082, said Amy Steele, executive director of Northland. That’s almost two-times higher than the library that came in second in that category: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s main branch in Oakland at 504,650.

To Steele, that says a lot about the Northland library.

“It certainly shows it is important to the community. The residents in this area depend on the library for their needs, recreation and education,” said Steele, who has been there since 2013.

Northland is the second-largest library in Allegheny County by geographic area served, the population of the service area, collection and circulation. The largest is the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system, which includes all of its branches, said Nicholas Yon, communications director for Northland.

Whether used for early childhood literacy skills, education, specific interests or even socializing, the library has remained busy.

“It shows the impact that the library has on our daily lives,” Yon said.

Steele said the number of people coming through its doors in 2021 was 155,000, and that was with covid-related closures. In pre-pandemic 2019, the library had a door count of more than 300,000 people.

When Northland had to close during the state emergency order last March, it gave staff an opportunity to think outside of the box.

“I can’t say enough about what the staff did. They reinvented everything they needed to,” Steele said.

Several new service options became popular, including virtual programming and contactless services, such as book bundles. Steele said a lot of patrons like to browse, but when they couldn’t come into the library, they could request a “book bundle” on an interest or subject for pick up.

Virtual programming, including preschool storytime, was scheduled almost immediately for every day of the week.

And during the pandemic, staff would prepare and hang individually bagged art and craft kits outside the library for children to take home. Still a popular feature, Steele said, the library distributes approximately 400 craft kits a month in its Children and Teen Services on the first floor, with activities geared per age group, from young children to teens.

Susan Claus, manager of the Children and Teen Services, described that department as “Aladdin’s treasure,” thanks to the abundance of educational and recreational resources, children’s virtual programming, special interest programs for teens, movies, music, games and more. And the library is adding a Family Book and Movie Club, complete with popcorn to take out, beginning in February.

The library also expanded its world languages collection in the children and teen area as well as adult services, Yon said.

Lauren Terza of Franklin Park visited the library recently with her daughter, Juliana, 3, browsing through books at one of the kid-friendly tables and reading areas.

“We come a lot to read the books. And it has big spaces you can walk around in,” she said.

Along with a well-utilized computer area on the second floor where the adult services is located, computers are located in the children and teen area, too. Yon noted one of the library’s busiest times is after school on weekdays, when students come to work on projects, do homework, play games or socialize.

Millennials seem to have their niche, said Yon, especially enjoying bundled collection of materials akin to their specific interests.

“They’re craving a curated experience,” he said.

Binge Boxes are a new item that feature a collection of movies, based on themes, genres, directors, actors, time periods, special interests or whatever may be requested, Yon said.

A large variety of adult programming is being offered in-person or virtually: computer classes, book discussion groups, special interest activities and soon-to-come, in-person movie matinees. For a full list and registration, visit the library website, www.northlandlibrary.org.

Steele discovered printers were especially popular during the pandemic. And so were hot spots, which provide remote internet access through a handheld device. This was especially important during the shutdown when parents and children were all online with work and remote school, Steele said.

“We always say we serve everyone from cradle to grave,” Steele said.

Steele said some nontraditional items that can be borrowed include radon detectors, yoga mats and exercises for children; virtual reality headsets, ukuleles and more. DVDs, CDs and board games can be borrowed and used at the site, Steele said.

The library also partnered with the staff at North Park to provide hiking backpacks, complete with binoculars, hiking and park guides, and park maps.

Pat Mihlfried of McCandless visits the library to leaf through the volumes of materials, newspapers, magazines and books.

“It’s really nice meeting people,” which includes the staff, said Mihlfried. “They’re friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.”

Northland is part of the Allegheny County public library system. One database services all public libraries in the system. So a Northland card holder can access resources all over the county and the state, Steele said.

When an item borrowed from other locations is due to be returned, Northland will make sure it gets returned properly, she said.

The library uses the Interlibrary Loan to obtain an item from anywhere in the country or world. She said it recently obtained a map for someone from Australia.

“There’s not much we can’t get,” she said.

Sixty percent of library revenue comes from local municipalities, with the rest coming from the Allegheny County Regional Asset District, the state, the North Public Library Foundation, and other sources.

Yon said the library was recently re-certified as a PA Forward Gold Star Library, a distinction held since 2018, which signifies dedication to providing quality programming. The library is governed by a board of directors appointed by the five municipalities it serves.

Winter hours are Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday during the summer.