Volunteer Spotlight

We sat down with South Fayette Township Library Board Treasurer Bob Milacci – a vocal supporter, dedicated volunteer, and generous donor to the Library. At the end of January, Bob will be leaving the Library Board, after eight years of service, having reached the term limit. We thought this was a fitting opportunity to get him to share his insights and reflections.

How did you first get involved with the South Fayette Township Library?

While serving as a South Fayette Township Commissioner in the late 90s/early 2000s, I acted as the Library Liaison, so I was attending the Library Board meetings. In 2011, the Library recruited me to the Board. I was elected President in 2013 and transitioned into the Treasurer position in 2019 as part of our succession planning.

What is your favorite thing about the Library?

That’s a hard question! One of the things I wanted to stress when I came on board was that since we are a small library, outreach is key to impacting more people. Over the years our outreach program has really grown. Not only do we visit local daycares, preschools, and elementary school extended care programs, we also do outreach for seniors at Country Meadows and other senior care centers in the area.

All of the programming we do for children is phenomenal. It’s not just storytime anymore, we also do STEM programming. We help get kids ready for school.

Do you have any favorite events or memories?

One of the things that I am proudest of is the Contract for Management of the Bridgeville Public Library. Since 2014, South Fayette has been managing the Bridgeville Public Library. We were able to dramatically improve Bridgeville’s operations and enhance our own. We now share staff, programs, and sometimes space. When we experienced the flooding a few years ago. Instead of closing down completely, we temporarily packed up and moved to Bridgeville during the repairs. It has definitely been a win-win relationship.

Where do you see the Library in 10 years?

It has to be in a new and bigger building. The people in this township deserve a new library capable of hosting more and larger programming, more room for children, room for teens, and meeting rooms. I would also like to see the Library as an official department of the Township to give the community and the staff more security.

What is your favorite book?

I like reading history, so — John Adams, by Pittsburgh author David McCullough.