Our History

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Please be aware of continuing construction in limited areas near and in the building.

SEARCH THE CATALOG

Exclamation Mark (150 × 150 px) (1)

Please be aware of continuing construction in limited areas near and in the building.

SEARCH THE CATALOG

We Forge Our Own History

Welcome to the home of the first Carnegie library in the United States! Established in 1889 in Braddock, Pennsylvania, the library stands as a testament to Andrew Carnegie's vision of providing access to knowledge and resources for all.

Braddock Carnegie Library Timeline

Where Our Story Begins…

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.

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What’s coming up...

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New program: Fab Lab Studio

Saturdays, 12pm-3pm

Join us every Saturday for a hands-on mixed-media maker session for all ages!

Try new materials, explore rotating weekly themes, and dive into guided and independent projects.

Registration required—Join us and make something amazing. All ages, but children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

“This building was built to last…for generations to come…a center of light & learning, a never-failing spring of all good influences.”

— Andrew Carnegie, March 30, 1889 Dedication of Braddock Carnegie Library