title
Proclamation congratulating the Oakmont Carnegie Library upon the occasion of being awarded the PA Forward Gold Star Award.
body
WHEREAS, public libraries have long served as trusted and treasured institutions that fuel efforts to better their communities, foster the free exchange of information, and support the foundations of democracy; and
WHEREAS, built in 1901, the Oakmont Carnegie Library was founded by the joint efforts of the Oakmont Borough school board and an engaged group of borough residents; and
WHEREAS, they envisioned a library that would meet the needs of all members of the community and give them an opportunity to grow intellectually through valuable free resources and services offered at the public library; and
WHEREAS, Oakmont Carnegie Library serves 18,000 residents and is a proud member of the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), a system of 46 independent public libraries with more than 70 locations that work together, share resources and cooperate to provide a high level of public service to county residents; and
WHEREAS, Oakmont Carnegie Library has 18 public computers and an inventory of 38,000 books, CDs and DVDs. Additionally, the library hosts over free 50 programs a month such as such as yoga, meditation and zumba for adults; book buddies and make-and-take for children, and comic art storytelling for teens and young adults. The library also has activities geared toward science, technology, engineering, arts and math; and
WHEREAS, today, under the leadership of Library Director Beth Mellor, the Oakmont Carnegie Library is growing rapidly into the 21st century and, as a result, was recently awarded the PA Forward Gold Star Award; and
WHEREAS, the PA Forward Star Award program, established in 2016, rewards Pennsylvania libraries with Bronze, Silver and Gold stars for achieving benchmarks in their programming, activities, services and resources. The Gold Star is the highest level of accomplishment in the program; and
WHEREAS, the Star Program works through five key literacies - Basic, Information, Civic and Social, Health and Financial - to assist all residents in enhancing their overall quality of life. The Star Library Program recognition offers support to libraries who participate and integrate those literacies in their programming activities;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Allegheny County Council Member Nicholas Futules, do hereby honor and congratulate the Oakmont Carnegie Library upon the occasion of being awarded the PA Forward Gold Star Award, and we extend sincere gratitude to its trustees, staff, friends and volunteers, past and present, for their accomplishments, commitment, and dedication to the surrounding communities and its residents.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 21st day of January 2020.