Carnegie Free Library of Braddock

Website:
https://www.braddockcarnegielibrary.org/

Telephone Number:
(412) 829-7112

Location:
419 Library Street, Braddock, PA 15104

Hours:

Mondays through Fridays 9 AM to 5 PM

Description:

Situated in the very town where Carnegie's inaugural steel mill operated, the Braddock Carnegie Library embodies the opulence of the nineteenth-century industrial boom. Its architectural style and intricate details reflect the prosperity of the era. Over time, the building has not only retained its beauty but has also borne witness to the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and public institutions. As the community endured industrial decline and population loss, the library, too, bore the scars of neglect.

However, the Braddock Carnegie Library's story took a remarkable turn when it was transferred from US Steel to the school district. In 1974, facing the threat of demolition, the library received a lifeline thanks to the determined efforts of a group of residents led by David Solomon. Their collective endeavor aimed to rescue the historic building and restore it to its former glory. The library, with a brief closure in the 1970s, has always been devoted to serving its communities.

From the library’s website.