Keep up to date on the latest news and updates from Northland!
September 12, 2024
Welcome to the “New Northland” – Full information HERE
Northland will be transformed inside and out as part of an extensive building reimaging and renovation construction project. A brand-new lower-level entrance, increased accessibility, an open lower lobby and service areas, a renovated layout and extended social spaces…And yes, no more spiral staircase…highlight this exciting new era for Northland.
Construction will begin the week of September 30 and is anticipated to be completed in early summer 2025.
Project highlights include:
- New exterior lower level building “extension”
- Cafe space in the new lower level extension for collaborating and connecting
- Enhanced check out and customer service desk / areas
- An inviting and open lower level lobby
- Expanded and dedicated “teen space”
- Mezzanine reading level with panoramic views
- New meeting space on the upper level with panoramic views
- New staircase – No. More. Spiral. Staircase.
- …and more
For full information, including project renderings, adjustments, disruptions and much, much more click HERE.
August 1, 2024
Libby and hoopla Changes Coming September 2024
Beginning Sunday, September 1, 2024 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County libraries are making the following changes to Libby and hoopla:
- Reducing Libby holds from 20 to 10 at a time
- Reducing Libby borrows from 20 to 10 at a time
- Reducing hoopla borrows from 15 to 5 per month
- Requiring PIN authentication to the Libby sign-in process
Please note that if you have more than 10 holds on digital items on September 1, you will not lose your holds. You just will not be able to add new holds until you are within the new holds limit.
While the vast majority of patrons will not be impacted by these changes, we know there will be interest in why we need to reduce holds and check-outs.
Why is this happening?
We are happy to report that our Libby and hoopla collections are popular! The use of all of our digital collections has continued to increase year over year, increasing by 64% since 2019. This is wonderful news! But with increased use comes increased costs.
Speaking of costs, many people are surprised to know that libraries often pay a very different price for e-books and e-audiobooks than we do for print books. For libraries, the cost for these formats can be up to three times the cost of the print version. Not only that, library pricing for e-books and e-audiobooks is often much higher than prices for individual consumers.
Take, for instance, Kristin Hannah’s popular title, The Women. You can see in the chart below the disparity in cost between library and consumer prices.
In addition to the increased price, libraries don’t own the digital books we lend, like we do our print books. Libraries purchase licenses for a set period of time or a set number of checkouts. When licenses expire, libraries have to repurchase any title we want to continue to make available.
As a result of the increase in use and high prices, our total spending for Libby and hoopla has increased 51% from 2019. Libraries in Allegheny County are now spending over three million dollars a year for these resources.
What do holds have to do with the cost of digital books?
When a hold is placed it is a signal to the Library that there is demand for that title. To try to keep wait times as short as possible, we buy additional licenses based on the number of holds. Believe it or not, adding additional copies to meet demand is actually the largest portion of our eResources budget!
Looking at The Women again, we would need to spend nearly $17,000 to meet current demand for the e-book, and even more as interest continues to build.
The good news is, we anticipate that reducing the number of holds allowed in Libby will reduce wait times and allow us to redistribute funds to increase the number of titles available in the collection.
Hoopla doesn’t have holds. Everything is available all of the time. Why are you making changes to it?
One of the great things about hoopla is that everything is available and there is no waiting! That’s because instead of buying licenses, we pay for each borrow. We’ve seen a remarkable increase in use and our hoopla costs are now four times what they were in 2019! Unfortunately, we just are not able to sustain the same level of service.
Why are you implementing PIN authentication in Libby?
Implementing PIN authentication adds an additional layer of security and reduces the likelihood of fraudulent library card use.
What if I don’t know my PIN?
You can reset your PIN here. If you don’t have or remember the email address associated with your library account, contact Northland.
How do I track what I want to read without placing holds, though?
We want you to keep reading! Learn more about how to manage your digital reading and become a savvy Libby and hoopla user here.
December 4, 2023
NEW Program and Event Calendar
Northland’s New Program and Event Calendar is now live! We’re proud to debut an updated, intuitive and user-friendly Event and Program Calendar on our website. Please bear with us as we transition to this new calendar.
Check out the new calendar at https://northlandpl.librarycalendar.com. Remember to bookmark the new calendar link – OR – you can access the new calendar via our homepage – the “Calendar” link at the top of our homepage or the “Program and Event Calendar” image half way down on our homepage below the scrolling slider.
The new calendar features an enhanced and intuitive user experience with LOTS of filters to quickly and easily find the events that interest you and the ability to save a calendar reminder, share, and print individual events.
June 1, 2023
Northland is a Fine Free Library!
We’re excited to announce Northland is officially a fine free library (effective June 1, 2023)! We believe in equitable access. Removing fines improves accessibility, encourages everyone to enjoy the library and helps everyone find their love for reading, literacy and exploration!
We do ask our dedicated patrons to be good stewards of our materials and to continue to be thoughtful of others (we want everyone to enjoy that amazing book you just read!). With that in mind here are some FAQs:
In short (TL;DR): No overdue fines will accrue for materials. Yes, there are still due dates. Yes, you still have to return library materials. Yes, replacement fees will still be assessed for lost or damaged materials.
There are still due dates
To ensure materials remain in our collection and available to all, patrons are still responsible for returning materials by their due date. A due date will still be assigned to your checked-out materials. Materials can be returned to the library, one of our remote book drop locations, or any Allegheny County Library.
Even though fines are gone, it is still a requirement to return materials. All library materials will still have due dates and any materials not returned to the library will be subject to a replacement fee. As the due date approaches, a courtesy notice will alert the patron that items are due and may have been automatically renewed if applicable. If the item is not eligible for automatic renewal, it will need to be returned. Patrons will be directed to the “My Account” feature to check on the status of each item.
Replacement fees will still be assessed
All library materials will still have due dates and any materials not returned to the library will be subject to a replacement fee. If materials are not returned by their due date, the item will be labeled as overdue, and the patron will receive multiple notifications indicating the item is overdue and encouraging its return. Items are considered “lost” if they remain unreturned for six weeks from the due date and a replacement fee will be assessed and noted on the patron’s account. Replacement fees of over $10 will block a patron’s card. Fees over $50 may be subject to collection agency fees.
Damaged and lost fees still apply
Fees will be assessed for damaged or lost items.
Current late fees
As of June 1, 2023, all late fees currently on your account will be erased. Please still return those items so others can enjoy them. Replacement fees will still be assessed if currently late materials are not returned by July 13, 2023 (six weeks from June 1).
How does this affect the library’s budget?
Northland exists to provide equitable access to materials for all. Overdue fines can act as a barrier to access and discourage use of the library. Due in part to Northland’s move to six automatic renewals in February of 2020, fine money collected over the past few years has dramatically gone down. Preparing for this adjustment we have planned ahead and fine money currently represents 0% of our operating budget. We’ve found the vast majority of patrons have a profound stewardship for library materials and take care to return materials on time and in good condition. Life happens and imposing fines serves to increase anxieties for those facing financial insecurity. This can dissuade patrons from using the library, exploring books, finding their love of reading or getting lost in their favorite book genre. That’s no way to serve our mission or our community. We will continue to explore ways to supplement this lost funding and welcome donations to help us bridge this gap. Our focus remains the same – to serve our mission to enable, empower and encourage lifelong learning and discovery in a safe, welcoming space for all…without barriers.
January 9, 2023
Library Card Expired? 
With the start of the New Year, we have noticed a large increase in library cards that need renewed, or have expired right after the first of the year. We are currently working to minimize the impact on patrons. This includes some, but not all, cards automatically renewing over the next several days. We thank you for your kindness and patience.
Here are details on how to renew your library card.
- First, you have to physically come in to the library to renew your library card (there is no way to renew your card online). We want to see your smiling face and show you all the new and amazing things at the Library (and to hear about what you’re reading…or watching…or listening to), but mainly for verification and identification purposes, library card renewals must be done in person.
- When does your card expire? Check your online account to see when your library card expires and make note to renew as soon as possible. Once logged in to your online account, click on “Account” to access a drop down, click “Profile” and then “Library Card” to see your card’s expiration date.
- Please be patient. This may be the first time you need to renew your library card, or you may not have done so lately. That is most likely because library cards were automatically renewed over the Pandemic so that patrons did not experience an interruption in services while the library building was closed. Those extraordinary circumstance automatic renewals are now up for renewal. There also may be lots of other patrons, especially on weekends, looking to renew their cards. Our staff are working hard, but you may experience some wait times at the Library. Thank you for your kindness and patience (if you noticed the signs by the outside entrance stairs on our lower level, this is a Kindness Zone 😊).
- Library cards must be renewed every two years.
Questions? Please call the Library at 412-366-8100.
November 15, 2022
Self-Checkout Machines Changes – effective December 1
Starting December 1, Library items being checked out using the self-checkout machines will need to be scanned individually. Adjusting technologies coupled with ongoing funding challenges caused this shift in service. To check out items accurately, each must be individually scanned using the Northland Library barcode (not the item’s ISBN/UPC barcode).
August 22, 2022
10G Internet is here!
Northland’s new fiber network is 10 times faster, delivering next generation 10 Gigabit internet speeds throughout the building, including the Library’s WiFi!
- 10x bandwidth increase over the previous 1 Gigabit internet speed
- Support for bandwidth-hungry technologies like:
- 4K – 8K video
- Artificial Intelligence
- Virtual Reality
- The Internet of Things
- Remote and virtual work
At 10 Gigabits per second bandwidth speed, patrons can access a world of resources, data and entertainment without interruption and at lightning fast speeds.
March 29, 2022
Allegheny County Libraries Mobile App
The Allegheny County Libraries mobile app provides quick access to core services for patrons of all public libraries in Allegheny County.
With the new Allegheny County Libraries mobile app you can:
• Access your checkout record, holds and reading history
• Find convenient links to popular resources, including eBooks, databases, and RAD Pass
• Create a digital library card that can be used when visiting the library in person
• Link a child’s card, allowing for handy access to multiple accounts
Download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
