The Cooper-siegel Community Library

What The Cooper-siegel Community Library does

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library (legal entity: Community Library Association) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit public library headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The library operates two physical branches — the main Cooper-Siegel Community Library at 403 Fox Chapel Road (opened April 30, 2011, Federalist-style design with Scott Family Reading Room, McIlroy Teen Room, and Lauri Ann West Children's Room) and the Sharpsburg Community Library branch at 1212 Main Street (relocated 2009, renovated 2015 with a distinctive color-coded interior). Two 24/7 pickup lockers extend service in Blawnox and Sharpsburg. The library serves residents of six municipalities within the Fox Chapel Area School District (Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Indiana Township, O'Hara Township, and Sharpsburg) and extends library card access to all Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh residents. It is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees drawn from those communities and operates with a small staff of approximately nine employees led by Executive Director Jill McConnell.

The service platform combines traditional library operations with a digital resource ecosystem built on third-party integrations: Kanopy for video streaming, Libby/OverDrive for eBooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for digital media, Beanstack for reading challenges, and online newspaper access for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Physical infrastructure includes the Library of Things collection (musical instruments, tools, camping gear, electronics, party equipment), a D.I.Y. Lab for volunteer-assisted digitization of analog media (photos, cassettes, VHS), and a Makerspace opened January 2026 with a Raise E2 dual-extruder 3D printer, Flux Beambox II laser cutter/engraver, sewing machines, and Cricut. Programming includes the World Languages Collection (Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages, supported by author Isabel Allende), annual Blender animation camps with the University of Pittsburgh, youth storytimes, and cultural partnerships such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fiddlesticks series. The library is a member of the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), a network of 46 libraries with 70+ locations enabling interlibrary loan, shared eResources, and pickup reciprocity across the county.

Revenue is generated primarily through public sources — Fox Chapel Borough, the Allegheny County Regional Asset District (RAD), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and surrounding municipalities — supplemented by tax-deductible private donations, fundraising events (e.g., the Haunted Sharpsburg Paranormal Experience at $25 per ticket, book sales at $0.50–$3.00), and room rentals for private events. The library recently completed a $2.5 million capital campaign funding the lower-level expansion, with grants from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority and the Keystone Grant program. Services are free at point of use with a library card. The organization is independently operated (no parent company) and is supported by the newly formed Friends of CLA (FOCLA) for fundraising and advocacy.

Name

The Cooper-siegel Community Library

Legal name

Community Library Association

Website

https://coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit public library serving six Pittsburgh-area municipalities plus all Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh residents through two branches, offering books, digital resources, Makerspace, programming, and free community services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital lending resources
• Makerspace access
• Library of things

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Majority of funding from Fox Chapel Borough, Allegheny County Regional Asset District (RAD), Commonwealth of PA, with additional support from Aspinwall Borough, Blawnox Borough, Indiana Township, O'Hara Township, Sharpsburg Borough
2. Private Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and organizations supporting library programs and services
3. Fundraising Events: Special events including Haunted Sharpsburg Paranormal Experience ($25 tickets), book sales, and community fundraisers with proceeds supporting library operations
4. Summer Reading Program: Beanstack-based summer reading challenge with raffle tickets for prizes, encouraging community engagement and participation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public library that lends books, digital media, and a "Library of Things" collection (instruments, tools, equipment), provides free digital resource access (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, NYT/WSJ/PG online), and runs community programming including storytimes, animation camps, the Summer Reading challenge, and a Makerspace with 3D printers and laser cutters, all accessible free of charge with a library card to residents across six municipalities, Allegheny County, and the City of Pittsburgh.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library of Things A non-traditional lending collection offering musical instruments (Fender guitars, ukulele, keyboard, DJ equipment), puppet kits, baking and cooking equipment, electronics (projector, EMF meter, blood pressure monitor), tools, camping gear, and party equipment for free borrowing by library cardholders.
• D.I.Y. Lab Digitization

Quantifiable outcome

• Library serves residents across 6 municipalities plus all Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh residents with library card
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026System of 46 independent public libraries with 70+ locations sharing resources. CSCL is part of ACLA network enabling interlibrary loan, eResources, and collaborative programming.
• Friends of CLA (FOCLA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Newly formed Friends organization supporting library through fundraising, volunteerism, and advocacy. Board members Lauren Gleason and Kathleen Freyvogel spearheading recruitment.
• Fox Families CareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Non-profit founded 2019 connecting youth and families to vital resources through Fox Chapel Area School District.
• Riverstone Books (Pittsburgh)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Local bookstore on site during CSCL events selling books, including Dr. Edda Fields-Black's 'COMBEE' during Pulitzer Prize-winning author event.
• Isabel AllendeflagshipOthers · 10 November 2025World-renowned author donated 12 autographed copies of her books including 'La Casa de los Espiritus' to launch World Languages Collection. Collection includes Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and other language materials.
• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Library's Youth Services Department partnered with PSO for 2025-26 Fiddlesticks Musical Exploration Series. Megan Fogt and Finn Gelsimino facilitate pre-concert Story Room experiences at Heinz Hall for children ages 3-8.
• Bump in the Night SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Pittsburgh-based paranormal investigation group partnering with Sharpsburg Library for Haunted Sharpsburg Paranormal Experience fundraiser. Lead Investigator Sean Bowman donating expertise and equipment.
• Massaro CorporationcoreOthers · 23 January 2025Construction contractor for $2.5M lower-level expansion project. Rob Trettel, Kolby Randolph, and Lemont Morand from Massaro completed construction on time and on budget. Jim Mitnick served as project manager.
• Chris Wilmer (University of Pittsburgh)coreOthers · 1 January 2021University of Pittsburgh chemical engineering professor and Fox Chapel resident who runs free annual Blender animation camps for youth at CSCL. Teaching graduate students and community children.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA): Consortium of 46+ independent public libraries with 70+ locations in Allegheny County; Cooper-Siegel is a member, and ACLA is the shared infrastructure (Bibliocommons catalog, eResources, interlibrary loan) that the library builds on.

Direct peers

• Sewickley Public Library: Independent public library in the Quaker Valley area of Allegheny County; similar suburban free-library model, comparable collections and community programming footprint, and shared ACLA consortium membership.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Independent public library system serving the City of Pittsburgh; same ACLA network, same free library card model, and directly comparable community library programming — making it the closest functional peer for Cooper-Siegel's two-branch suburban footprint.
• Shaler North Hills Library: ACLA-member suburban public library north of Pittsburgh with similar scale, programming, and free library card model serving multiple municipalities.
• Northland Public Library: ACLA-member suburban public library in northern Allegheny County; comparable community library operations, programming breadth, and funding mix from public sources.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Large Pennsylvania independent public library system serving Philadelphia with a similar free-library model, programming mix, and public funding backbone — comparable in mission and business model though at much larger scale.
• Mt. Lebanon Public Library: Allegheny County suburban public library and ACLA member offering similar collections, programming, Maker services, and community meeting space — directly comparable in size, mission, and funding mix to Cooper-Siegel.
• Bethel Park Public Library: ACLA-affiliated suburban public library in southern Allegheny County with comparable branch operations, children's programming, and free library card access for county residents.
• Hampton Township Community Library: Northern Allegheny County suburban public library and ACLA member; comparable single-building footprint, similar children's and adult programming, and analogous municipal/public funding structure.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Public Library: Large multi-branch independent public library with comparable Maker/lending-program experimentation (Library of Things-style offerings, creative technology classes); illustrates a scaled-up version of the differentiated programming Cooper-Siegel is building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CooperSiegelCommunityLibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/coopersiegellibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cooper-siegel-community-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Cooper-siegel Community Library