What Pleasant Hills Public Library does

Pleasant Hills Public Library is a Pennsylvania government state entity and community public library founded in November 1945, serving all Allegheny County residents free of charge from a single location at 302 Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA. The library operates 53 hours per week with 19 mostly part-time staff under Library Director Sharon Julian-Milas, and holds a collection of approximately 55,000 physical and digital items including books, audio-visual materials, and a non-traditional Library of Things (board games, kits, instruments, passes). It is governed by a Board of Trustees and financially supported primarily through municipal and public funding, with a structural requirement to fundraise up to 15% of its annual budget annually through donations, an annual Taste of the Town event, United Way contributions, memorial/honor donations, and an all-volunteer Friends of the Library group (established 1950).

The library's product surface spans traditional lending, an extensive Digital Media Collection delivered through BiblioCommons (catalog and account management), Libby/OverDrive (e-books, audiobooks, magazines), Hoopla (streaming media, audiobooks, comics, music), BookFlix (video storybooks), Ebsco eBooks, and Tutor.com (online tutoring and career webinars). Differentiated programming includes the Seed Library, Story Hike at Pleasant Hills Arboretum, Experience Kits for regional historic sites, RAD cultural passes, Spice of the Month, and age-segmented programs (Baby Book Nook, TOT Time, Teen Games Night, adult book clubs, CrafterDark, Scribe's Sanctuary writer's group, UnWind knitting club). Fine-free since June 1, 2023, the library monetizes only ancillary fee-for-service streams — printing at 20¢/page B&W and 50¢/page color, fax at 50¢ domestic/$1 international, and remote printing — with the rest of operations funded through public appropriations and philanthropic contributions.

The library's go-to-market is community-led: organic engagement through on-site programs, a weekly Constant Contact eNewsletter, Facebook and Instagram channels, an event calendar, and partnerships with the Pleasant Hills Lions Club, Garden Club, West Jefferson Hills School District, local borough government, and fire/EMS services. It operates within the broader Allegheny County library network (ACLA, CALS, POWER Library), enabling interlibrary loan, countywide returns, and shared digital platforms whose usage has grown 64% across the network since 2019. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the only material disclosed capital inflow is a $208,202 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in February 2024.

Name

Pleasant Hills Public Library

Legal name

Pleasant Hills Public Library

Website

https://pleasanthillslibrary.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pleasant Hills Public Library is a Pennsylvania government-state public library founded in 1945, serving all Allegheny County residents free of charge from a single Pittsburgh branch with a ~55,000-item collection, digital lending via Libby and Hoopla, and diverse all-ages programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending platforms
• Community programming
• Reference and information services
• Interlibrary loan services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Municipal and Public Funding: The library receives the majority of its operating budget from municipal/public funding and must fundraiser up to 15% of its budget each year to supplement public funding.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The library accepts donations online through the ACLA portal, hosts an annual Taste of the Town fundraiser, and collects United Way contributions via employer campaigns (Agency #9620). The all-volunteer Friends of the Library group conducts fundraising including semi-annual book sales.
3. Memorial and Honor Book Donations: Donations in memory or honor of individuals are accepted at suggested amounts of $50 for adult books and $25 for children's books to cover book and processing costs.
4. Printing, Copying, and Fax Services: The library charges 20 cents per page for black-and-white copies and 50 cents per page for color copies. Faxing costs 50 cents per page within the US and $1 per page internationally. Remote printing is available for a fee. These are on-site services paid by cash or Venmo.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pleasant Hills Public Library provides free lending of physical and digital library materials, community programming, and reference services to all Allegheny County residents. Core operations include circulation of a ~55,000-item collection, digital lending via Libby and Hoopla, book clubs and youth programs, free public computing/WiFi, printing/scanning/faxing, RAD cultural passes, Experience Kits, and a Seed Library — supported by municipal funding and fundraising.

Product overview

Pleasant Hills Public Library operates as a community public library offering a unified service model combining physical and digital collections with diverse programming. The core offerings include traditional book and media lending, an extensive Digital Media Collection accessible through Libby and Hoopla platforms, and a Seed Library encouraging community gardening. Special programs include the Story Hike outdoor reading trail, RAD cultural passes, Experience Kits for historic sites, and Spice of the Month culinary exploration. Programming spans all ages through dedicated Teen Programs, Kids & Families services, and Adult services including multiple book clubs, craft programs, and writer's groups. Technology services include free public computing, WiFi, remote printing via ePRINTit SaaS, and 24/7 virtual reference through Ask a Librarian. The library participates in CALS countywide collaborative services for shared digital platforms and collection support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card Services Free library cards for Allegheny County residents providing access to borrowing, digital resources, computer use, and interlibrary loan services under a fine-free policy (since June 2023).
• Digital Media Collection Digital lending collection including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies, TV shows, music, and comics, accessible through Libby, Hoopla, BookFlix, and Ebsco platforms for library card holders.
• Seed Library Free seed-sharing program where community members can borrow seeds for planting, encouraging gardening, seed saving, and community building among local gardeners.
• Story Hike at Pleasant Hills Arboretum Outdoor walking trail featuring displayed book pages along the path, combining physical activity with literacy through an interactive reading experience at the local arboretum.
• Experience Kits Borrowable kits for visiting regional historic sites, allowing library card holders to explore area attractions with educational materials included.
• RAD Passes Free and discounted passes to area arts and entertainment destinations throughout Allegheny County, available exclusively to library card holders.
• Spice of the Month Monthly featured free spice with recipes, encouraging community members to explore new culinary flavors and international cuisines.
• Library of Things Collection of non-traditional items to borrow including board games, devices, equipment, jigsaw puzzles, kits, musical instruments, passes, toys, and video games.
• Scanning, Printing, and Fax Services Public copying, printing, document scanning, and fax services including remote/mobile printing options, plus free public computer and WiFi access.
• Ask a Librarian (Virtual Reference) Virtual reference services including 24/7 chat, email, and text options connecting patrons with experienced librarians for research assistance.
• Adult Programs Diverse programming including CrafterDark crafts, Scribe's Sanctuary writer's group, UnWind knitting/crocheting club, multiple book discussion groups, summer reading club, and tech help sessions for adult patrons.
• Teen Programs Youth-focused activities including Teen Games nights, DIY crafts drop-ins, and social events for teens entering grades 6–12.
• Kids & Families Programs Family-oriented services including outdoor storytimes, Baby Book Nook, TOT Time, summer reading programs, and nature-themed educational events.
• Interlibrary Loan Service allowing patrons to request books and resources from library systems outside of Allegheny County through ILL requests, with auto-renewal up to 6 times.
• Monthly New Materials List Curated monthly listing of newly acquired library materials across all formats for patron discovery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Digital collections use increased 64% since 2019 across Allegheny County libraries.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cooperative Allegheny Libraries Support (CALS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCALS is a department within Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh dedicated to strengthening and supporting libraries across Allegheny County. Through shared services and coordinated initiatives, CALS helps libraries work more efficiently and deliver consistent, high-quality service. Services include Collection Support (countywide eResources), Materials Movement (sorting, shipping, ILL), Technical Services (cataloging, acquisitions), Facilities support, Fund Development, Human Resources consulting, Shared Digital Platforms, and support for under-resourced libraries. Pleasant Hills Public Library is part of this countywide collaborative infrastructure.
• Carnegie Library of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnegie Library of Pittsburgh serves as the hub for the CALS (Cooperative Allegheny Libraries Support) network and the Pittsburgh District Library Center. It provides state-funded District Library Center services including Interlibrary Loan, sorting, and shipping. It also houses the Library Support Center where technical services, collection support, and other shared infrastructure are delivered. Pleasant Hills Public Library operates within this ecosystem.
• POWER LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationPOWER Library is the electronic library of Pennsylvania's libraries and the state-funded eResource backbone. It provides access to databases, e-books, the electronic catalog (powerlib.einetwork.net), AskPA, and other digital resources. Pleasant Hills Public Library links to POWER Library resources on its website and participates in the shared eResources collection.
• RAD (Resources and Discovery)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAD (Resources and Discovery) provides free and discounted tickets to area arts and entertainment destinations through library-issued passes. Pleasant Hills Public Library participates in the RAD Pass program, offering library cardholders access to passes for cultural attractions across the region via a reservation system.
• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACLA is a collective of Allegheny County libraries that coordinates shared services, advocacy, and resources. Pleasant Hills Public Library is an ACLA member library, enabling patrons to use their cards across the county network and access shared digital platforms and digital collections through Libby.
• Pleasant Hills Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleasant Hills Lions Club is listed as a business donor and supporter of the library. The Lions Club supports the library's fundraising efforts and community initiatives as part of the library's network of local business supporters.
• Pleasant Hills Garden ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleasant Hills Garden Club donated seeds to launch the library's Seed Library and maintains the flowers outside the library. The Garden Club is listed as a business donor and community partner supporting the library's programs and physical grounds.
• Vocelli PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVocelli Pizza of Pleasant Hills is listed as a business donor supporting the library. The business has chosen to donate to the library to demonstrate its commitment to the community.
• Pleasant Hills ArboretumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe library operates a Story Hike at the Pleasant Hills Arboretum (199 W Bruceton Rd.), which is right around the corner from the library with its own parking lot. Books are changed periodically and featured on the library's Facebook page. Storytime is held at the Arboretum weather permitting, and the library also holds programs like Moonlight Yoga and Fabulous Fireflies at this outdoor venue.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peters Township Public Library: Pittsburgh-area public library serving a similar suburban community. Comparable in mission, funding structure, and programming breadth.
• Mt. Lebanon Public Library: Suburban Pittsburgh public library of similar size and scope, also part of the Allegheny County library network. Comparable programming, funding model, and patron demographics in the South Hills region.
• Bethel Park Public Library: Neighboring South Hills public library in the Allegheny County network. Closely comparable in size, suburban demographics, programming focus, and service delivery model.
• Northland Public Library: Allegheny County public library serving a similar suburban Pittsburgh community with comparable collections, programming, and countywide borrowing privileges.
• Upper St. Clair Township Library: Suburban Pittsburgh public library in the Allegheny County network, similar in scale and offering comparable programming, digital lending, and community services.
• Whitehall Public Library: Adjacent South Hills public library in Allegheny County. Comparable in size, staffing, and programming scope, with shared digital collections through CALS.
• Sewickley Public Library: Allegheny County public library with similar collections, programming, and community hub orientation in a comparable suburban Pittsburgh market.
• Jefferson Hills Public Library: Direct geographic neighbor in the West Jefferson Hills area, sharing the same school district footprint. Most direct local peer in terms of catchment demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: The hub of the CALS network and Pittsburgh District Library Center serving all of Allegheny County. Directly comparable public library system with the same funding/operational model, shared digital platforms, and overlapping service population.

Others

• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA): Umbrella association of Allegheny County libraries that coordinates shared services, advocacy, and digital platforms. While not a single peer library, ACLA defines the operational ecosystem within which Pleasant Hills competes and collaborates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pleasanthillslibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/pleasanthillslibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pleasant-hills-public-library

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pleasant Hills Public Library