Northland Library History

Northland Public Library – an Overview 1968-1985, by Willa Neil
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Open since 1968, Northland Public Library has nearly 200,000 items in its physical collection including books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs. Additionally the collection includes access to over 645,000 downloadable eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines, eVideos, eMusic. The library provides programming for people of all ages, as well as a quiet place to study, read and learn.

Northland is the second largest library in Allegheny County. The geographic area served, the population base, collection and circulation are second only to the Carnegie Library System in Allegheny County. Northland is also a member of the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) a system of 46 independent public libraries with more than 70 locations that work together, share resources and cooperate to provide a high level of public service to county residents.

The library receives the majority of its funding from the five municipalities which it directly serves. Please see the Governance & Funding page of the library website for more information.

In 2018, Northland Library celebrates 50 years of serving our communities. Here is a timeline of our major milestones.

There are approximately 78 staff members who work in a variety of areas including circulation, reference, programming, technical services, and administration, including facility maintenance.

Newspaper Articles

• October 24, 1967 – McCandless Asks Funds
• November 3, 1967 – Ballot Question: Township of Marshall
• November 7, 1967 – Local Issues to Enliven Balloting
• November 28, 1967 – McCandless OKs Budget
• January 2, 1968 – No Past, No Present But a Great Future: 4 Communities Plan Own Library
• January 8, 1968 – Northland Library Due in September
• April 3, 1968 – N. Hills Gets Library Site
• April 24, 1968 – New Library Gets $100,000 Grant
• August 2, 1968 – Benefits Benefit Projects
• September 12, 1968 – Talk, Dinner, Slated
• September 16, 1968 – Club Slates Speaker
• October 4, 1968 – Library Opening in Ross Township
• October 29, 1968 – Library Closes (Northland’s predecessor)
• April 22, 1970 – Pin Play
• October 19, 1970 – Library to Hold 3-Day Book Sale
• October 22, 1972 – The Selling of the Library
• September 21, 1978 – 100 Volunteer Help for Library Moving
• October  4, 1978 – Northland Library Festivities Slated
• March 13, 1980 – Local histories sought
• February 12, 1987 – Library Question on Ballot in Ross
• March 5, 1993 – Players Scrabble to Win Tournament
• June 18, 1995 – Northland Library takes on a fresh new look
• May 28, 2003 – Northway Mall Could Provide Temporary Home for Library
• May 28, 2007 – Nonprofit Workshops on Baby Boomers Held in McCandless
• October 18, 2007 – Jones’ voice attracts, resonates
• August 25, 2011 – Northland Public Library: Late fees can be satisfied in advance
• March 8, 2012 – Ross Commissioners nix proposal on Northland Library
• May 9, 2013 – Vending machines latest library offering from Northland
• May 1, 2017 – Judy Moody author comes home to film webcast