Area libraries still figuring out their pandemic playbooks

Virtual events go on as workers plan to reopen

Bedtime stories for kids via

Zoom in Baldwin.

Technology assistance via phone in Monroeville.

Virtual book club meetings in Pittsburgh.

Local libraries, while currently shuttered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are still working to bring patrons online resources and planning for an eventual reopening.

They’re also bracing for a coming budgetary hit from lost sales tax and municipal funds, as well as other sources.

Per state mandate from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, every local library is physically closed, said Marilyn Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Library Association. There are 46 separate public library systems in Allegheny County with more than 70 locations.

“We like to say, the buildings are closed, but the services continue,”

Ms. Jenkins said. Online lending is still available. “We have a whole wealth of e-resources, downloadable books, audio, music,” and online programming for kids and adults, she said.

In addition to books and reading material, many services are still available to patrons, local library officials emphasized. There’s also online storytimes, book clubs, yoga classes, writing groups and many kinds of virtual gatherings. Help is available with resumes and job applications at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In Monroeville, patrons can get technology assistance and library staff have been calling library “regulars” to check on them. The Crafton Public Library has been encouraging those without internet at home to park outside the library to use the Wi-Fi connection from their cars.

Planning ahead

Reopening dates will be determined by the state, and Ms. Jenkins said she anticipates it would most likely occur in stages,

perhaps beginning with something like curbside pickup and moving to limited access to facilities. She doesn’t expect a full reopening of buildings before the end of the summer.

“We think about [how to go about reopening] every day,” said Nicole Henline, director of the Monroeville Public Library.

Ms. Henline also believes a phased-in process is the most likely, starting with books by mail and curbside pickup to get people materials even if they can’t come in the building.

“We definitely want to be able to get things in people’s hands,” she said.

When counties enter the “yellow” phase, this likely means staff can re-enter the building and provide limited services, such as book pickups, according to guidance from the state. However, libraries are still awaiting final guidance from the state’s Departments of Education and Health on how to safely reopen.

Local libraries should begin drafting their reopening plans, have supplies such as masks and hand sanitizers for staff and patrons, and be familiar with safety guidelines that apply to businesses maintaining in-person operations, according to guidance given to libraries last week.

Many library officials said people should be prepared to see their reopened libraries looking different when the public is allowed back in. Computers and desks likely will be more spaced out, and group activities like storytime for kids probably will take awhile to return.

Libraries are also bracing for lost funds from both municipal money and sales tax sources. Ms. Jenkins said the association is working with libraries on budget forecasts.

A number of local libraries have applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans — the federal program that will allow employees to remain on the payroll of small businesses and nonprofits.

Twenty-three Allegheny County libraries, including the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have received confirmation of their PPP loans, according to the Allegheny County Library Association. Others have applied but haven’t received confirmation, and some did not apply. Some libraries are part of their local municipal governments and therefore aren’t eligible for these loans.

All levels of government are expecting to take a serious financial hit from pandemic-related closures and lost revenue streams such as sales and income taxes and lost fees. The state has already said it will have a revenue shortfall in the billions, and the city of Pittsburgh has warned of looming budget woes.

RAD decline

While they don’t know how much, it’s already clear sales tax revenues, and in turn, funds from the Allegheny Regional Asset District will see a decline. RAD officials anticipate a decline from their original budget projections of at least 40 to 60% for March sales tax collections, though they don’t have firm numbers yet, said Rich Hudic, RAD executive director.

“We don’t know what the decreased revenue effect is going to be on libraries, other than to say they are of great importance to us,” he said.

The RAD is funded by a 1% county sales tax that flows to local municipalities, arts and cultural organizations and public libraries. Libraries account for RAD’s single largest funding category.

Last year, RAD funds to Allegheny County libraries from Avalon to Wilkinsburg totaled close to $6.4 million.

RAD funding represents on average about 25% of total library budgets, but for about a dozen libraries it represents more than a third of their funds, Ms. Jenkins said. Those libraries tend to be either smaller or in economically distressed areas without much tax base.

“That’s a huge concern, not only to us but to RAD as well,” she said.

Potential funding shortfalls are “something we are looking at very closely,” said Suzanne Thinnes, spokeswoman for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “We can’t speculate until the numbers do come in.”

“We are anticipating a loss of up to 20% of our annual revenue, but this is only an estimate. We won’t truly know the financial impact of the pandemic on our library for months or even years,” said Alyssa Zolkiewicz, director of the Crafton Public Library.

Officials at the Braddock Carnegie Library Association say they are also planning for a 20% decrease to their budget, said Vicki Vargo, the association’s executive director.

How much RAD distributes to each library is based on a formula involving several factors, such as population, local financial contribution and library activity such as computer usage, and book circulation. Libraries also get some funds from the state, and some also get funds directly from their local municipality or local school district, depending on the library.

In a best-case scenario, Ms. Jenkins said between the PPP program and possible federal relief for state and local governments, libraries could manage to remain relatively stable.

But a worst-case scenario would see long-lasting impacts to library budgets.

“We know that this is impacting the availability of state, and county, and local dollars, not only in this budget cycle but the next as well,” Ms. Jenkins said.

In the meantime, libraries will continue to provide services.

“We are really anxious to get back to serving the public, but when we reopen, it’s going to be different. We don’t know exactly what that looks like yet,” said Ms. Henline. “We’re going to make the best of it. We know people really want to get back in the doors and we really want them to.”