Our History

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SEARCH THE CATALOG

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For weather-related changes to our hours, please see our Facebook or Instagram pages for the most up-to-date information.

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...

Becoming Benjamin Lay Premiere
Saturday, April 11 4pm-8pm
419 Library Street | Braddock, PA 15104

Filmmaker Tony Buba's latest documentary chronicles the life and ideas of an unknown radical Quaker dwarf abolitionist who demanded an end to slavery almost 300 years ago.

At the center of the film is the prize-winning play Marcus Rediker wrote with Naomi Wallace, The Return of Benjamin Lay. In the play, actor Mark Povinelli embodies the visionary Lay, challenging us to live with courage and conviction in dark times. The film brings a forgotten hero back to modern public memory.

Tony Buba and Executive Producer Marcus Rediker will be in attendance and participate in a Q&A after the film. This event is made possible in partnership with Film Pittsburgh and with equipment support from Media Quest.

Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase here.

“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