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Carnegie Library’s Mount Washington branch gets a makeover
After lengthy renovations, the Mount Washington branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is finally finished. Due to the pandemic, the building is closed except for contactless curbside and walkup service, which began there Jan. 7.
For those eager to see what construction crews have been up to since January 2020, tours of the space will be given Saturday. Timed tickets will be available for reservation in advance of the event with no more than six people per tour group to allow social distancing. Register at carnegielibrary.org.
The Mount Washington library is the 18th and final neighborhood branch in the Pittsburgh library system to be renovated through its Neighborhood Library Revitalization Program, which began in 2002. The white building — built in 1900 through industrialist Andrew Carnegie’s largesse — is highly visible on Grandview Avenue and sits behind one of the famed overlooks.
The $4.05 million construction project added 46% more space and provided ADA accessibility for the first time, with a ramp entryway from the street and an elevator, according to a news release. Aspinwallbased Elagin Architecture added a
two-story addition to the rear of the building, preserving its historic character and designation.
“A lot of respect was paid to the original Carnegie-built location and the architecture,” said Carlton Stout, assistant director or neighborhood libraries. “Folks will see the front desk they know and love. They will see the phone booth, the woodwork. The addition is new, fresh and bright in its own way. It’s a great mix of the two.”
An additional 2,721 square feet allows for distinct spaces by age group.
The addition has larger space for children, and a former basement meeting room has been transformed into an area for teens.
Another key improvement was the addition of energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. The building previously had no permanent air conditioning.
The project also provided an outdoor patio and fencedin yard that can be used as a programming space as well as a large meeting room and small conference room for community use.
“I can just imagine once we get back to full tilt, we’ll be able to have story times outside and programming outside and really just let the public have access,” Mr. Stout said.
The Neighborhood Library Revitalization Program will continue, according to Stout. The Downtown library is expected to reopen after renovations in the next few months.
“Libraries have to — to remain relevant — change with the times and meet the needs of how people want to use them now,” he said. “I think that’s foremost of mind for us.”