President’s Message
Although the calendar says SPRING, Pennsylvanians have been anxious for more sunny days and warmer temperatures. Improved weather conditions also indicate the ability to schedule numerous workshops and other training activities for librarians, staff members, trustees and friends. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share ideas.
Recently, our new Deputy Secretary and State Librarian Stacey Aldrich has traveled to several regions of the state to personally present her vision for Pennsylvania’s libraries and receive input and ideas from “those in the field” providing the services that patrons request and require in order to meet technology needs. We look forward to more of her regional visits and Stacey’s ideas for our libraries.
Dedicated Friends of the Library groups have spring activities underway. Many friends groups have spring and fall book sales that provide critical fundraising support for their local libraries. Summer Reading will be here soon allowing children to keep those reading skills sharp until the new school term. Many libraries have excellent programs for readers of all ages and scores of those programs are supported by donations from the local Friends group. Your hard work deserves congratulations.
Thank you to all PCBL members for the 2013 individual membership support. Your generosity is so appreciated. Friends groups with affiliate memberships are enjoying the benefits of non-profit status to assist their local libraries. We hope to see you at the Annual Awards Luncheon October 20th at Seven Springs.
President Sue Solarczyk
HCS Posted 4/5/2013
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PCBL is an organization of advocates that speaks for libraries throughout Pennsylvania. Membership is open to anyone who wants to see strong and well-funded libraries, and the best possible library service for all of Pennsylvania's citizens. That includes librarians, trustees of libraries, government officials and friends of libraries, as well as the lay citizen-user of libraries.
Members are kept up to date on legislative information and actions as they pertain to Pennsylvania libraries; have opportunities to attend library advocacy and library fundraising workshops; and receive information about events, programs, and issues of interest to library advocates.
For the latest news about the recently passed Library Code legislation, SB1225, click here. (NEW 10/24/2012)
President's Message
Happy New Year! January 2013 is just the starting month of what may prove to be a very active year for PCBL and for Pennsylvania’s library advocates.
Governor Corbett signed the new Library Code in a special signing ceremony at the Chester County Library on November 30, 2012. It was a nice opportunity for many attendees to meet our new Deputy Secretary and State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. It was also an opportunity to publicly thank those who worked so hard for so many years to make changes and update the 1961 Code. Now the time consuming work of writing the necessary regulations and working through the approval process begins.
Dedicated Friends of the Library groups will kick off another year of fundraising and activities to support their local libraries. Congratulations to all the Friends groups who were able to report successful fundraising and support for their community libraries in the past year and good luck to you in 2013.
Thank you to all PCBL members who have renewed group and individual 2013 memberships and Affiliate memberships continue to increase. Your support is so appreciated.
Sue Solarczyk
HCS 20130108
Did You Know...?
We can make it easy to achieve 501 (c)3 nonprofit status. If you've been through it before, you know completing a 990 Form is NOT a simple task. It's hard. It's time consuming. And it's a real struggle for small organizations.
But you don't need to bear that burden. One of the greatest benefits offered by PCBL is an Affiliate Membership. Your group can become a 501 (c)3 nonprofit without the workload by joining under our umbrella.
PCBL Means...
Persuade public officials that libraries are essential community services
Collaborate with other library associations, agencies and community groups
Be a voice for improved library funding and appropriate legislation
Lead efforts to encourage, train and support library Friends