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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh president and director Mary Frances Cooper to retire

PITTSBURGH — The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh announced the retirement plans for Mary Frances Cooper, the organization’s 11th president and director who has held the role since Jan. 1, 2012. Cooper officially retires at the end of the calendar year and will mark a full decade at the organization’s helm upon her leave from the position.

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Some of her legacies at the head of the region’s largest library network included leading the community engagement process for “Our Library, Our Future,” a voter initiative that now results in more than $4.5 million per year for the city’s library services. She played a key role in the creation of the countywide “Love Your Library” fundraising initiative, which to date has raised more than $4.2 million for Allegheny County libraries since it began. Cooper also oversaw renovations at 10 of the system’s 19 libraries during her leadership.

Read more from our news partners at the Pittsburgh Business Times.