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Swissvale library director urges board to update deed and consider nonprofit governance
Summary
A library leader asked the district to clarify property deed ownership for the Swissvale library and to consider transitioning the library to an independent nonprofit governance model after planned renovation.
A representative for the Swissvale library urged the Woodland Hills School District board to update the library’s deed to reflect current ownership and said the library should consider moving to independent nonprofit governance after its renovation.
The speaker, identified in the transcript as Doctor Kate (library leader), said the library has no dedicated board and that a separate governance structure would allow the library director more budgetary ownership, enable additional fundraising and permit contracts tied to grants that require proof of ownership. Doctor Kate explained that the only deed the library team could find is a 1902 deed to the Swissvale School District and that Woodland Hills inherited properties after a merger; she asked the district to produce an updated deed stating Woodland Hills School District ownership so the library can pursue grants and construction contracts.
Doctor Kate presented three possible future governance structures discussed at a community conversation facilitated with an ACLA consultant: (1) connecting the library with the borough, (2) affiliating with another library, or (3) becoming a nonprofit. She said most area libraries are structured as nonprofits and that a separate board could better advance mission, finance and governance.
Board members noted the topic will be on agenda-setting next week and said district attorneys are reviewing ownership records. The director requested the item be placed on the agenda for further discussion with the board and staff.
