PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Access to computers is a vital service at public libraries across Allegheny County and thanks to a recent grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, 76 of them will be getting new equipment this spring.

RAD is providing $3.1 million to purchase 2,464 new Lenovo personal computers for the libraries supported by the district, including Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches and the Allegheny County Library Association. RAD has provided extra funding to libraries, parks, arts, culture, attractions and other facilities since 1994 through a special 1 percent sales tax levied in Allegheny County. 

“We’ve seen the need for it over these last few years,” James Santelli, RAD communications manager, says about upgrading computers. “The economy models of computers, they’re starting to show their age … the cost of leases for computers in general is getting more expensive.”

Rad officials also see it as an equity issue. RAD emphasized in its Library Committee report that a lack of technology access can leave some communities behind. 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced eiNetwork, the IT service arm for public libraries in the county, to postpone the usual replacement of library equipment, which typically is scheduled every four years. This happened as demand for computers increased due to a rise in remote work and learning.

By eliminating costs that libraries would have to pay to provide computer upgrades, RAD hopes to also give Allegheny County’s libraries the peace of mind to maintain their staffs and stretch their budgets in other areas.

The new 1,643 all-in-one (AiO) units, 515 laptops and 306 desktops will replace the old in each library according to their space and needs. The order will also include 262 monitors and 78 servers.

As the largest technology investment to libraries across Allegheny County, RAD is providing equity in technology from a pre-approved allocation of $40.3 million to libraries. 

In addition to new equipment, RAD introduced the Transformative Community Library Fund in 2022 for investments to libraries in distressed communities. The additional multi-million dollar fund focuses on programming and partnerships for public libraries in need.

“Libraries have become a de facto community center for the people who live there,” says Santelli. “This is our way of addressing what has become a bigger part of being a library, to be a technology center for the community.”