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The Pleasant Public Library was only a dream in 1944 when members of the Pleasant Hills Elementary School PTA and the Pleasant Hills Lions Club began a Library Association.  A room on the second floor of the Pleasant Hills Fire Hall housed the first library.  Volunteers helped to catalog the books, and on November 29, 1945,the new library opened its doors for the first time.

The Friends of the Library were organized to help raise funds and met for the first time on October 3, 1950.  In 1953 the Pleasant Hills voters approved 1/2 mil referendum to help finance the growing library.

By the early 1960's it was apparent that the library needed a new home, and in 1963 Pleasant Hills Borough purchased the Bell Telephone Company Building on the corner of Old Clairton and West Bruceton Roads.

As a member of the Electronic Information Network (EIN) of Allegheny County, our library has a number of computer workstations and our patrons have access to extensive on-line information resources including the Internet and an electronic Union Database of the collection of all libraries in Allegheny County.  Beginning in 1995, the library has received yearly Regional Asset District (RAD) funding from Allegheny County.  With the RAD funding, hours of service were increased, the budget for books and periodicals was increased, and a homebound service to local residents was begun.

In 1998, the Library completed an expansion of the existing library facility to increase the available space by 50% and to provide accessibility for individuals with disabilities to both floors.

The Library is open seven days a week with the following schedule:
     *Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm,
     *Friday 10 to 4
     *Saturday: 10am to 4pm 
     *Sunday 1 to 4 (Closed Sundays June-August)
In addition to the book collection, the Library has audio cassettes, videos, journals, and CD's available for circulation.  Patrons can search the entire collection of Pleasant Hills and all Allegheny County Libraries on the Library computers.

The Library derives its principal support from Borough appropriations, Regional Asset District funds distributed through the Allegheny County Library Association, State funds, and contributions.

The Library features the following Special Areas and Rooms that make the Library unique:

• Keefer Botanical Alcove with a special collection of Botany and Gardening Books.

• Mary Green Community History Room which features mementos of Pleasant Hills History

• Robert and Nellie Reynolds Children's Reading Room.

• Pat Caldwell Volunteer Workroom

• Thatcher Historical Collection which provides historical references and photographs of the Pleasant Hills area dating back to the late 1800's.

The Library is the focal point for community activities.  The Pleasant Hills Post of the American Legion provided the American flag that flies outside the building 24 hours a day.  The Pleasant Hills Garden Club provides and maintains the landscaping at the Library.

The Library is also the place to check out the Internet and the World Wide Web.  If you want to access any of the web addresses provided in this brochure, just stop in the library and log on or ask a staff member to assist you.  You can also sign up for an Internet class at the Library.  The Library's web page is at:  www.pleasanthillslibrary.org

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