Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day to all our Friends of the Library!

09/03/2026

Richard Ashby, 2026 PaLA President, and the conference committee are ready to welcome you to the 2026 PaLA Annual Conference in Harrisburg, Oct. 4 through Oct. 7. There is still time to register!
http://www.palibraries.org

09/02/2026

08/29/2026

Please share this post - September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

08/10/2026

Congratulations, PaLA Scholarship Winners!

See you in October...

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

Congratulations, Friends of the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, 2026 Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries Friends Group of the Year

Here is an excerpt from the nomination: "Over their many years of support, the Friends of Simpson Library have been instrumental in supporting our Library as it has evolved into the outstanding organization it has become. Our expansion to accommodate the growth in our Library’s service area -- the fastest-growing area of the fastest-growing County in the Commonwealth -- became possible over the past three years only because of their sustained energy, effort, and dedicated support. The Friends of the Simpson Library has earned the heart-felt thanks of the Simpson Library Board of Trustees, the Library staff, and the leadership and residents of the five municipalities the Library serves. Without their support, our Library would not have become the community gem it is today. The sustained accomplishments of the Friends of the Simpson Library merit this recognition "

Photo - Friends of Simpson Library at August 3 Event

For information about Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, a statewide library advocacy and education organization, visit www.pcblpa.org. The 2027 award nomination form is available, plus regular and affiliate member information.

07/29/2026

Libraries have expanded to offer game nights, health services, and more. But this programming comes with costs they increasingly can’t afford.

07/13/2026

Congratulations, Kristin Reilly, Friends of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury, 2026 Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries Friend of the Year

Here is an excerpt from the nomination: Kristin expanded the formerly week-long annual book sale to weekend book sales that ran from May through to November, allowing the Friends to bring in triple or even quadruple the amount from book sales as had been made previously. She has been in charge of membership and has co-chaired the fundraising committee for years. In addition she has helped organize the Friends of the Library’s participation in New Hope’s two annual parades, helping to increase awareness of the library and its many programs as well as fundraising efforts.

Check back in August for a post about the 2026 Friends of the Library Group Award.

Photo, L-R: Deborah Dorshimer, Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries; Kristin Reilly, Recipient, 2026 Friend of the Year; Pamela Kerr, Nominator

For information about Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, a statewide library advocacy and education organization, visit www.pcblpa.org. The 2027 award nomination form is available, plus regular and affiliate member information.

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July Weekend!