Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh The Lawrenceville Branch
Courtesy of Brian Crawford
Location:
279 Fisk St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Description:
The Lawrenceville Branch, located at 279 Fisk Street, opened its doors in 1898 as the first Carnegie-funded neighborhood library in Pittsburgh. Designed by the architectural firm Alden & Harlow, this distinguished brick building introduced pioneering ideas in library planning. It was among the earliest libraries in America to adopt open, self-service stacks arranged in a radial layout—allowing patrons to freely access books, while the central circulation desk, flanked by turnstiles, enabled a single librarian to oversee operations. Significantly, Lawrenceville also featured the very first dedicated children's room in a public library setting, a concept that would become standard nationally.
Architecturally, the library blends classical symmetry with a gracious domestic scale, featuring a modest yet dignified facade that fits neatly within its residential neighborhood. Inside, soaring ceilings, large windows, and thoughtful spatial design create a welcoming yet efficient environment. Over time, its reading rooms, stack fixtures, and interior detailing have remained remarkably intact, offering a rare window into early 20th-century public library design.
Recognized as both a City of Pittsburgh historic structure and a Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation landmark, the Lawrenceville Branch played a foundational role in shaping modern library service standards. Its influence extended well beyond Pittsburgh, with its innovations in layout and patron access serving as a model for Carnegie branches—and many other public libraries—around the world.
