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Andrew Amrhein of the Bethel Park Public Library named Trustee of the Year

Pictured (L to R) are Christine McIntosh – Director, Bethel Park Public Library and Andrew Amrhein – Trustee.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the 2022 Trustee of the Year was awarded to Andrew Amrhein of the Bethel Park Public Library.

Andrew Amrhein has held the offices of Treasurer and President during his six years of service on the Bethel Park Public Library board. He is also a prominent member of the community and small business owner, and a trustee member of the Pennsylvania Library Association.

Andy is a man of big ideas. He created the annual Bethel Park Fantastic Four Golf Outing that benefits four of Bethel Park’s non-profit organizations: the Bethel Park Community Foundation, the Bethel Park Education Foundation, the Bethel Park Historical Society and the Bethel Park Public Library. In 2021, this event raised over $40,000 for these organizations. This event would not have been so successful without Andy’s tireless work and the sponsors he secured.

Andy was also instrumental in making the library’s “Love Your Library” fundraising campaign a success in 2021. He set an ambitious fundraising goal of $50,000, much higher than the library had ever raised during this campaign in previous years. When the library was nearly $900 shy of the goal on September 30th, Andy made a personal donation that put the library over the $50,000 mark.

With Andy’s help, the Bethel Park Public Library has formed valuable partnerships with other community organizations. He has introduced library staff to key employees with the County Parks, South Park Theatre and the Bethel Park School District. These connections have resulted in numerous ongoing library programs, events and activities. For example, the library now hosts a summer story time at the outdoor theater in South Park. In turn, the cast of the Children’s Theatre productions come to the library to give the children a preview of their upcoming shows each month. The library’s new partnership with the County Parks enabled the library to host an outdoor Party in the Park that raised $22,000 for the library and South Park Theatre. Library staff are also now involved with several student clubs in the schools, have served on the school district’s strategic planning committee and are consulting with the high school principal on a school library refresh.

As with most libraries, the Bethel Park Public Library was struggling to find space to store donated books for their annual book sale. When Andy heard about this dilemma, he sent a crew of his own employees to the library with a truck and moved all the book sale items to a warehouse he uses for his small business. When the pandemic made it impossible for the library to safely hold the book sale in one of their meeting rooms like they have in years past, Andy offered to host the book sale in his store’s parking lot. His employees erected a canopy, moved all the materials out of the warehouse, set up the tables and even helped pack up leftover items after the sale ended. The library raised more money from that book sale than ever before.

The library board is more inclusive thanks to Andy’s connections. Municipal council and school board liaisons now serve on the library board, which fosters better communication between the library and these two entities. This improved communication has led to more consistent funding from the municipality and more partnership opportunities between the library, the municipality, and the school district.

“The Pennsylvania Library Association is pleased to recognize these libraries and librarians for creating innovative programs and services. State-wide recognition of these accomplishments by colleagues in the field is definitely something to be proud of.” said Jennifer Knisley, 2022 President of the Pennsylvania Library Association. “Congratulations to all of the 2022 award recipients!"

A committee comprised of association members reviews the nominations, submitted in late summer, and selects winners for a series of categories.

For a listing of previous award winners, click here. For more information about the work of the Pennsylvania Library Association, visit www.palibraries.org.

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