Non-financial ways to support the Library

Supporting the Library doesn’t necessarily mean giving money. Non-financial contributions like donating your time or talents are just as valuable. Your involvement  with the Library is what make this such a special place. 

Share your love of the Library and its impact on your life by contacting local and state elected officials, lobbyists, and legislators to urge them to make a stronger investment in libraries. It is especially important, crucial in fact, for the boroughs, townships, municipalities, school districts, and other local entities that fall within our service area to contribute financially to the Library.

Local financial support is one of the main determining factors used by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to determine how much aid the State will provide to that Library. If local funding is cut, funding from the State drops. A complex algorithm is used to determine financial allocation that includes additional factors, but local support is critical.  

Local leadership in GHAL’s service area includes:

While we strive to offer as many different kinds of programs and experiences as we can, your contributions help us broaden perspectives and expand exposures to different ways of doing things and thinking about things. Programming that enriches the lives of those in our community is what we strive to provide. A program featuring your talent, skills, or expertise helps the Library keep things interesting.

Have you ever wondered what other people think about a certain topic? You could pick a related book and lead a discussion about it. 

Do you play an instrument or have other special talents? Enrichment comes in many different shapes and sizes. We just have to be willing to share it with others.

Does your business offer a service to individuals or families that could change their lives for the better?  It would be a shame if they never learned about it. 

If you would like more information about how you might be able to provide a worthwhile (non-sales based) program to library patrons, please contact the Library Director.

Used Book Donations:

You are encouraged to donate your like-new and gently-used books to the Library for their used book sale fundraisers. Donations are accepted nearly year-round during regular business hours. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE DONATIONS IN OUTDOOR BOOK RETURNS. GHAL asks for your cooperation in providing good quality books that they will be able to sell. It’s a good rule to follow that if you wouldn’t include in your home something in the same condition, it’s best to recycle or upcycle instead of donating it. For additional guidelines, see our Used Book Donation FAQs. 

Donation of Supplies and Materials:

As you already may know, the Library holds hundreds of programs and events every year for anyone in the community to attend. The cost for supplies and materials for those activities adds up quickly, so donated items are a real budget-saver. Whether you already have it at your house and would like to get rid of it, or if you’re willing to purchase a particular supply and donate it, the Library is happy to accept your contribution. Examples of items that are needed year-round for daily operation as well as for special programs and events include

Pens
Pencils
Crayons
Markers
Colored Pencils
Chalk
Highlighters
Paint Brushes
Acrylic Craft / Watercolor Paints
Whiteout
Ribbon, String, Thread, Yarn
Paper Clips
Staples
Rubber Bands

Printer Paper (8.5×11/14, 11×17)
Construction Paper
Card stock
Envelopes
Stamps for Mailing
Mailing Labels
Lined Note Pads
Large Desk Calendars
Post-It Notes
8×10 White Painting Canvases
Fabric and Felt
Tissue Paper
Tissues and Wipes
Cricut Vinyl

Scotch Tape
Masking Tape (in all colors)
Packing Tape
Duct Tape
Elmer’s Glue
Glue Sticks
Hot Glue Sticks 
Polymer Clay
Beads, Charms, Baubles
Stickers and Stamps
Scissors and Safety Scissors
Crafting Pipe Cleaners
Pom-poms
Wooden Craft Sticks and Picks

Clorox Wipes
Dry Cleaning Cloths
Windex
Rubbing Alcohol
Swiffer Dusters
Pledge Furniture Polish
Garbage Bags (10 gal / 55-60 gal)
Paper Towel Rolls
Bar Keepers Friend Marble/Granite/Stone Cleaner
Dawn Dish Soap
Canned Air for Electronics
Paper Plates, Napkins, etc.
Goo Gone

Prize Donations:

Throughout the year, the Library holds fundraisers and other events. Part of the fun and excitement is giving away prizes. You can help the Library by donating one or more of those prizes. Examples include themed raffle baskets, scratch off lottery tickets, gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, craft or science kits, educational toys and games, S.T.E.M. related projects, etc. Contact the head children’s librarian for a complete list of acceptable prize donations.

From time to time, GHAL creates an Amazon Wish List. Live Wish Lists will appear in the section below.

graphic stating "Currently, GHAL does not have a live Amazon Wish List"

Volunteers

It takes a whole lot of people to keep all the Library’s books, movies, computers, tablets, and more organized and clean. You can support the Library by volunteering your time. Examples of volunteer duties include (but not limited to) shelf reading, dusting, preparing mailers, calling donors, cleaning and/or covering books, cleaning movies cases and discs, removing old stickers or labels, repairing materials, sorting books donations, weeding books and movies, and other administrative tasks. Contact the Library Director for more information include age and clearances requirements.

Community Service

Opportunities for community service can be found at the Library. Whether it’s a school requirement, or you simply want to give back to the community, GHAL has options for you (Must be at least 13 years old. Clearances required.)

Teens can become involved in the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) to earn service hours. TAG meetings occur one Saturday morning each month and consist of teen volunteer led activities. This group has the unique opportunity to influence what types of teen programs, activities and materials the Library holds or purchases for use. TAG members learn leadership, teamwork, time and project management skills while shaping the future of the Library’s teen services.  Contact the head children’s librarian for more information about clearances and other requirements (if any).

Clubs and service organizations also have the ability to develop a partnership with the Library through volunteerism. Projects that require a group of individuals are a perfect fit at the Library. Many times additional staff or individual volunteers just aren’t enough to get the job done. In those cases, the Library needs help from a club or service organization. The Library has received community service support from a variety of local groups including Rotary of Westmoreland, Westmoreland Garden Council, Greensburg Kiwanis Club, to name a few. Contact the Library Director for more information include age and clearances requirements.