Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Prosecutor Seeks Stiffer Sentences For 2 In Rare Book Thefts

By • Jun 29, 2020
Katie Blackley / WESA

Prosecutors asked a judge to stiffen the home confinement and probation sentences imposed on a former librarian and a bookseller who pleaded guilty in the theft of rare books from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in a years-long scheme.

Common Pleas Judge Alexander Bicket sentenced 56-year-old John Schulman earlier this month to four years of home confinement and 64-year-old Gregory Priore to three years of home confinement. Both were ordered to spend a dozen years on probation after completing their sentences.

CLP To Begin Curbside Pickup And Returns At Five Library Locations

By • Jun 15, 2020
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

Five Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations will begin curbside pickup service June 23: Allegheny, Brookline, East Liberty, Hill District and Oakland. Patrons will be able to take home books and other materials, as well as return borrowed materials. 

New Legislation Imagines An Overhaul Of PA’s Cannabis Laws

By Megan Harris, & • Feb 24, 2020
Eric Gay / AP

On today's program: Rep. Jake Wheatley wants legalized weed to fund social programs, including record expungement; an update on a proposed low-to-no barrier homeless shelter on the Mon’s southern shore; a nursing program outside of Philly might be the best bang for your educational buck; the NAACP is calling for the permanent removal of an Allegheny County judge; and one of Pittsburgh’s busiest libraries is temporarily closing.

Downtown Carnegie Library Closing For Renovations

By • Jan 28, 2020
Courtesy of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

The Downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is among the busiest in the system, averaging more than 1,000 visitors a day. That’s not surprising, considering that the Golden Triangle hosts tens of thousands of workers daily. Now, upward trends in Downtown housing have pushed the branch past the capacity of the space on Smithfield Street it’s occupied since 2004.

Why Young Learners Don’t Always Go To Libraries For Books, And Why That’s OK With Librarians

By & • Sep 30, 2019
Kathleen Davis / 90.5 WESA

This is the third part of a three-part WESA special on public libraries. The first part can be found here and the second here.   

Leaders of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system say they try to meet the needs of the community. For younger users that doesn’t always involve books.

Carnegie Library Workers Vote To Unionize For A ‘Seat At The Table’

By • Aug 14, 2019
Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA

Nearly 60 percent of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh librarians, library assistants, clerks and IT professionals who cast ballots Wednesday voted in favor of unionizing.

Voters Will Decide On PA Victim's 'Bill Of Rights'

By Megan Harris, & • Jun 26, 2019
Matt Rourke / AP

On today’s program: Artworks by artists of color open in a new exhibition Saturday; Carnegie library workers take steps in unionize; and a debate between the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the Center for Victims about Marsy’s Law.  

Carnegie Library Employees Take First Step Toward Creating Union

By • Jun 24, 2019
Ariel Worthy / 90.5 WESA

A colorful makeshift book drop box sat in front of the podium in the lobby of the United Steelworkers building in downtown Pittsburgh on Monday evening. One by one, employees stated their names and positions with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system. They then dropped their signed union cards in the drop box. 

Carnegie Library Workers Say They Want Their Voices Heard In Decision Making

By • Jun 24, 2019

David King has worked at the main branch of the Carnegie Library system as a part-time librarian for 15 years. While he works with patrons daily, he says leadership typically solicits input from consultants instead of rank-and-file employees.

Protecting Personal Data, From Digital Footprints To Digital Face-Mapping

By Megan Harris, & • May 21, 2019
Gerry Bloome / AP

On today’s program: A look at Pittsburgh’s primary elections; scientists seek a cure for a disease endangering Pennsylvania’s bat populations; online privacy on display through the Carnegie libraries; and the controversies and constitutionality of facial recognition technology.

Online Arts And Craft Classes Available Through Carnegie Library

By • Apr 9, 2019
Gene J. Puskar / AP

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh recently added an online collection of crafting classes to its catalog. Creativebug is an educational arts and craft community that offers videos and transcripts in topics like knitting, crocheting and jewelry making.

Rehabilitation Resources For Meth Users Are Scarce In Pittsburgh, Especially For LGBT Users

By Megan Harris, & • Feb 13, 2019
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

Many overdose fatalities in Pennsylvania are opioid-related, but deaths from methamphetamine and other stimulants are back on the rise. For people who use meth, especially those who also identify as LGBT+, resources can be scarce.

There is a growing need for queer-centered resources in Pittsburgh, says Tommy Brassell, a medical assistant at Central Outreach Wellness Center, a clinic that specializes in LGBT health care. 

A Free, Curated Collection Of Local Music To Be Available Through The Carnegie Library

By • Feb 8, 2019
Eileen Angulo / gfx

Starting Friday, a library card will give people access to a catalogue of local music from local artists. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is launching STACKS, an online platform developed by tech company Rabble.

'Write Your Story, Create Your Book' At New Workshop In Homewood

By • Dec 25, 2018
Lee Paxton / Wikipedia Commons

A free workshop for aspiring writers – and book-binders – begins with the New Year.

Patrons Can Borrow Laptops And Wifi Hotspots From Select Carnegie Libraries

By • Dec 17, 2018
Sarah Boden / 90.5 WESA

Google is piloting a laptop and wifi hotspot lending program with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

How One Local Drag Queen Teaches Self-Expression Through Story Hour

By • Nov 24, 2017
Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA

A dozen captivated kids surrounded Akasha Lestat Van-Cartier, whose blue ball gown sparkled as she read: “I am thankful for my hair, because it makes me unique. I am thankful for my ears, because they let me hear words like, ‘I love you.’”

This is the fourth month Van-Cartier has spent time at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s North Side branch reading kids books about respect, self-confidence and being the person you want to be.

Carnegie Libraries As Literary Preppers: How Your Favorite Sleuths Predict Demand

By Megan Harris • Feb 9, 2017
Megan Harris / 90.5 WESA

Two part-time workers stood on either side of a T-shaped conveyer belt as 61-year-old Joe Spaniol moved down its twin trunks, trading full boxes with empty ones when its contents started to overflow.

Carnegie Library Of Pittsburgh Hosting Community Meeting Tuesday

By & • Mar 15, 2016
twechy / flickr

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will seek the public’s input and share future plans at its annual community meeting Tuesday night.

Library director Mary Frances Cooper said those plans include an increased focus on improving childhood literacy, as well as programs to help teens explore creativity through technology. 

She said the library will look to hire for a new position focused on this initiative.

Knoxville Branch Next In Carnegie Library Renovations

By • Jun 22, 2015

Fourteen down, three to go.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) is continuing its long list of branch renovations with its Knoxville location, which will close June 27 to begin construction. The library is one of the last in the CLP’s Capital Improvement Program that began in 2003, which aims to renovate every neighborhood branch in the Pittsburgh area.

Calling All Superheroes: Summer Book Clubs Are Beginning

By • Jun 7, 2015

Grab your capes and grab your books: a superhero book club is headed your way.

As the school year winds down, many area libraries are about to begin their summer reading programs with the national theme of “Every Hero Has a Story.” They are planning their own superhero events to motivate kids to continue reading during their break to avoid what is known as the “summer slide.”

City Council to Approve State Grant to Renovate Knoxville Library

By • Mar 30, 2015

Pittsburgh City Council will take a final vote Tuesday to approve a $500,000 state grant to renovate Knoxville Library.

The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Award would help cover the costs of adding a second public meeting space and a new teen area to the library, as well as structural updates to comply with ADA accessibility mandates.

According to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Assistant Director of Neighborhood Libraries Mary Monaghan, the Knoxville branch was built in the 1960s and hasn’t been renovated since.

From 'Pantry' to 'Kitchen': Transforming the Way Teens Use the Library

By • Jun 26, 2014
Ryan Loew / 90.5 WESA

People often think of the library as a place to sit quietly while reading or studying.

But the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is challenging that stereotype by turning the library into a creative hub for teens.

It was the second week of June, and Pittsburgh Public Schools had been out of session for two days. And yet, half a dozen teenagers and pre-teens were sitting around a table, enthusiastically engaging in a lesson about ancient Egypt.

“What do we know about Egypt and why was it such a big deal?” asked Oliva Hric, museum educator with the Carnegie Library of Natural History. “Can you think of anything in the landscape that maybe would make Egypt a really great place to live?”

“Because they were on the Nile River they could have had a good water supply,” answered 12-year-old Jonathan Freeman, clearly familiar with the concept.

Freeman and the other teens weren’t at summer school; they were at The Labs at the Carnegie library’s East Liberty branch.

Schools and Libraries Confront Summer Learning Loss

By • Jun 6, 2014

As the school year ends, summer learning loss, or "summer slide," might begin.  According to the National Summer Learning Association, the loss amounts to about two months in math for all students and two months in reading for low-income students, while unequal access to summer learning opportunities might  account for half the achievement gap between low- and high-income students.

West End Library Closes Chapter on Series of Renovations

By • May 16, 2014

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s West End branch might be a historic landmark, but its story is still being written.

The library will reopen to the public Saturday after a seven-month, $1.7 million renovation.

The library is inviting the community to the grand re-opening celebration, which will, among other things, include self-guided tours and 3D printing demonstrations.

CCAC's 'Big Read' Focuses On Vietnam War

By Julian Routh • Mar 3, 2014

During March, the Community College of Allegheny County will be reminding Pittsburghers to enjoy a good book.

The Big Read, a national program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, will bring together organizations around the region to promote literacy.

“What we hope this will do for literacy is to spark an interest in reading because reading is good for the soul, it elevates the mind, it promotes critical thinking and it helps you to experience other cultures,” said Barbara Evans, associate dean of academic affairs and Big Read project director at CCAC.

Filming and Reporting in a War Zone

By Nick Frost • Oct 18, 2013
Justin Merriman / justinmerriman.blogspot.com/

Kalpana Biswas, filmmaker and Board Chairperson of Women in Film and Media Pittsburgh, decided to make a film about women and children in Afghanistan, but she had no experience when it came to filming in an area of conflict.

This led her to ask journalists in the Pittsburgh area for advice on how to prepare. One of the major questions that she asked was, “How do I go through filming without endangering myself?”

West End Library Closes for Renovations

By • Oct 17, 2013

The 114-year-old Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s West End branch is turning a new page with a series of renovations.

Spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes said the renovations will include the branch’s first air conditioning system and elevator.

“By having air conditioning throughout the entire library, it really will bring people in during all aspects of the year to come in and be able to enjoy library services,” Thinnes said.

Carnegie To Discuss 'State Of The Library' With The Public

By Nick Jovonovich • Mar 18, 2013

The “State of the Library” along with other issues surrounding the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), such as 2012 accomplishments as well as plans for 2013, will be discussed at a meeting with the general public as part of their community engagement strategy.

Library spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes said to expect a few surprise announcements at the meeting.

Carnegie Library Gets More Revenue than Expected

By Charlee Song • Feb 27, 2013
Joseph A. / Flickr

The Carnegie Library will be adding services and increasing hours at some of its 19 locations in the City of Pittsburgh because the property tax reassessment in Allegheny County has increased this year’s expected proceeds by $900,000.  Unlike local governments and school districts, libraries are not subject to the anti-windfall provisions of state law that require a millage reduction to limit tax increases.