For Pennsylvanians the name "Carnegie" is ubiquitous, appearing on municipal buildings, as part of a university's name, and even the name of a town. For most Americans, however, "Carnegie" means libraries. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie drew inspiration from his early experiences borrowing books from the private library of Col. James Anderson when he decided to build public libraries. Between 1886 and 1923 many towns across the country received Carnegie library funds, some 1406 towns with 1679 libraries in total. Pennsylvania had 58 such libraries, each bearing the Carnegie's slogan about the purposes of libraries above the door: "Let There Be Light."
Date of
Grant: 1890 [10
libraries]
![]() Allegheny Carnegie Library 5 Allegheny Square Pittsburgh, PA 15212 History of Allegheny Regional Branch
– Schenley
Park
East
Liberty Branch Hazelwood
Branch Homewood Branch Library 7101 Hamilton Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Homewood Branch Library today |
Date of
Grant: 1893
Braddock Carnegie Library 419 Library Street Braddock, PA 15104-1609 Braddock Carnegie Library today Date of Grant: 1896 ![]() Carnegie
Library of Homestead
Date of
Grant: 1898
![]() Carnegie
Free Library
Andrew Carnegie Library 300 Beechwood Avenue Carnegie, PA 15106-2699 Andrew Carnegie Free Library today Date
of Grant: 1899
![]() Carnegie
Library of McKeesport
1507 Library Avenue McKeesport, PA 15132-4796 Carnegie Library of McKeesport today Date of Grant:
1899 Date
of Grant: 1901
Carnegie
Free Library - Duquesne |
Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale
Lawrenceville
Branch Library Mount
Washington Branch South Side
Branch West End
Branch Wylie Avenue
Branch |
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