Bridgeville Public Library officials plan to meet with their counterparts in South Fayette soon to see if the two groups can share or improve services for their patrons.

The two sides are still trying to figure out a date when they can meet to discuss whether there are mutual benefits to combine activities, collections, accounting services or events.

Allegheny County Library Association Executive Director Marilyn Jenkins attended Bridgeville library’s Tuesday night board meeting to see if her organization could facilitate a meeting or the merging of some services. She said other libraries across Allegheny County are in the process of submitting proposals on how to improve their own programming or change working relationships with neighboring organizations.

“We’re looking for any projects that you think will help the libraries move forward,” Jenkins said. “Sometimes local libraries don’t have the ability to know what someone is doing on the other side of the county.”

In Bridgeville’s case, its library board is looking to see what it can do with neighboring South Fayette. Jenkins noted that Bridgeville’s new library, which opened in January 2011 but is suffering from financial problems, is still the envy of the county and hoped it could work with South Fayette.

“They might have ideas that could benefit both of you,” Jenkins said. “We’re trying to figure out what makes sense for your situation and how we can facilitate it.”

Bridgeville Library Board Secretary Becky Wisbon said she’s trying to set up a meeting with some members on South Fayette’s library board, along with Rebecca Long, who is its library directory.

“We’re just trying to put all of the puzzle pieces together,” Wisbon said.

Also during the meeting…

• The Bridgeville Public Library plans to hold an open house at the new building on Oct. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. for its 50th anniversary celebration. The workers hope to bring in residents who have never seen the new facility in person. They are also planning another concert in November and a “Taste of the Town” fundraiser in March.

• The board voted to require all volunteers to submit to a background check before working in the library. The volunteers will pay for the $10 background check, but the board is considering whether to reimburse them in the future.

• A decision on whether to open the library for extended hours was scuttled because of a lack of donations. The board also was concerned about expanding the hours only to have to restrict them again in January. The subject likely will be brought up again in early 2013.

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