HOMEWOOD As a child, Denise Graham was an avid book borrower at the Carnegie Library’s Homewood branch. Now, as manager, she has presided over a $3.5 million makeover that preserves the character of the nearly century-old institution. The design by Pfaffmann + Associates also provides such fresh features as more daylight, a more open fl oor plan and a new auditorium to make the local library an inviting community living room.

nnewew andand rrenovatedenovated enise Graham strikes you llibrariesibraries iinn ppittsburghittsburgh areare as a natural fi t for her job aaddingdding vvitalityitality toto ttheirheir running the Carnegie nneighborhoodseighborhoods nnowow Library of Pittsburgh’s aandnd oofferingffering hhopeope fforor Homewood branch. eeducationalducational aandnd eeconomicconomic She grew up in the ggainsains inin tthehe ffuture.uture. neighborhood back in the bbyy tthomashomas bbuell,uell, jjr.r. ’60s and ’70s and remembers pphotographyhotography many happy hours spent in bbyy dennisdennis marsicomarsico the library as a girl, checking out books, reading and passing the time with friends. She also worked in the branch while she was in library school. “I’ve grown up in this library, really,” she says, raising her eyes to the familiar high ceilings and varnished woodwork. “I came from a family of readers, and I spent a lot of time here.” Named branch manager in 2004, Graham lives a 10-minute walk away, and many times during that brief pedestrian commute in the morning or evening, neighborhood kids will see her, wave and say, “Hi, Library Lady.” Still, nothing quite prepared her for that moment when she climbed the grand steps, walked through the stone archway of the 97-year-old Homewood

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library and saw the results of a support of The Heinz Endowments, woodwork, which looks like oak but some $3.5 million renovation for the fi rst other local philanthropies and the state historic preservationists say could be time. “My fi rst impression was, of Pennsylvania. chestnut, was polished to a glassy shine. ‘I could live here.’ ” Each refurbishing has its own The renovations were designed to “It was a beautiful library before, character, often refl ecting the neighbor- enhance the library’s classic look of stately but the renovations brought out a lot of hood in which the library is located. mansion and provide needed structural hidden gems,” she says. “A lot of people In most cases, the updates not only have upgrades, such as a new roof, an elevator, say the library is so homey now. They increased the buildings’ aesthetic appeal handicapped-accessible restrooms and an like to come in and just sit.” but also have helped attract more updated 300-person auditorium. But Graham’s also a member of a visitors to the libraries and provided “I really, really like that they took the generation of librarians described as tech- an emotional lift — with a potential balcony down over the stacks on the fi rst savvy, culturally literate and perpetually economic boost — to their communities. fl oor because it blocked off the natural curious in a recent New York Times The Endowments’ recent two-year light,” says Graham. “The building didn’t article, “A Hipper Crowd of Shushers.” grant of $2 million is intended to buttress gain an inch of square footage, but that So she’s enthusiastic that the library offers a third area, education, by helping fund made the library look so much bigger.” more than a comfortable place to relax. construction or renovation projects at The improvements also included “I was going to say that we have a three libraries expected to be important touches refl ecting the unique character little bit of everything, but we have a lot partners with nearby “accelerated of the Homewood community. One of everything, and it’s not just books. We learning academies.” The redesigned example is an almond-shaped table with have CDs and DVDs, and books on tape schools are a major part of the Pittsburgh an African zebra wood frame and a light and Internet access, and so much more.” Public Schools’ reform efforts. fi xture inspired by the trunk-swollen In the past fi ve years, Homewood And the library system’s track record baobab tree that sits in the center of the and six other libraries in the 19-branch with branch improvements so far has expanded African-American section. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system been encouraging. That collection contains more than have undergone major renovations as part The Homewood branch, for example, 12,000 popular and historical items. of a capital campaign to raise $55 million re-opened in 2003 after an eight-month The library stands out as an anchor by the end of next year — the fi rst such upgrade that included restoration of the of stability in a neighborhood that fundraising effort in the library’s history. building’s original high, multi-paned has witnessed a slow and steady decline The ambitious effort has received the windows and leaded-glass skylight. The since the days when it was home to

072959.indd 5 10/9/07 3:51:01 PM millionaires. (Andrew Carnegie himself both levels, and comfortable couches usage in the past several years. once lived in Homewood.) Over the and chairs, create the feel of an expansive, Circulation rose system-wide by an course of a month, it hosts dozens of contemporary living room. The wel- average of 28 percent between 2002 and groups and clubs: teen reading programs, coming atmosphere draws neighborhood 2005, according to a study by Carnegie homework clubs, book discussion groups, residents for book discussion groups, Mellon University’s Center for Economic crafting groups, story time for pre- computer classes and the more social Development. At the Homewood branch, schoolers and music workshops. In the “Craft and Chat” program. it has jumped more than 80 percent since summer, there’s a jazz concert on the front Sporting an even more modern, its renovation, while at the Brookline steps every Wednesday night, and local almost “urban-chic” appearance is the and Squirrel Hill branches, the circulation groups have staged plays, musicals and Squirrel Hill branch that sits atop a real increases have been 16 percent and concert performances in the auditorium. estate offi ce and a parking garage on the 13 percent, respectively. “The community has come back to bustling corner of Murray and Forbes Jessica Clark, manager of the this library in amazing numbers because avenues in the heart of the neighborhood Brookline branch, which has been people saw that the [Carnegie Library] business district. Its $4.3 million upgrade credited with helping shore up that administration was committed to keeping includes a 30-foot glass cube entrance at neighborhood’s central business district, the library in this location and restoring street level, a glass-encased elevator and notes that, in addition to programs for it to its former glory,” Graham says. glass exterior walls at the front and one families and children, the library is Another updated branch is in side of the library that allow natural light attracting more and more of the city’s Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood, to pour in. Beneath exposed ductwork immigrant population. where $2.9 million was spent to refl ect and I-beams, the bright, bold colors of “We have a teen volunteer program community desires for an open, inviting the lightweight, movable furniture and that’s so popular that we already have a space for children, teens, seniors and carpeted sections further generate a waiting list for the new school year,” she other neighborhood groups. The 1950s- sense of vibrancy. Visitors fl ock to the adds. “I’m amazed.” era building was given a new look by library for activities such as parent– Among those making the cut was moving a separate tanning salon business child reading groups, yoga classes and 13-year-old Stephanie Cato, who enjoys out of the second fl oor and creating a a knitting workshop. the Brookline library “because it has a lot two-story open gallery at the front of the Library offi cials cite the renovations of cool things” such as a teen section with building. Large, exterior windows on as the reason for sharp increases in library beanbag chairs and copies of the Japanese

Tom Buell is a Pittsburgh-based writing and communications consultant who often writes on fi nancial issues. His most recent story for h, in last year’s Annual Report issue, reported on new trends in career education programs.

072959.indd 6 10/9/07 3:51:02 PM With mat in hand, Heidi Norman of Point Breeze heads to a yoga class at the Squirrel Hill branch of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Library 7 system. The $4.7 million renovation by Lubetz Architects enables a range of community uses. A 30-foot glass cube at the entrance tells visitors they’re in for much more than book browsing.

SQUIRREL HILL

comic book “Manga.” Her attraction to the which donated $25,000 to fund child Carnegie Library’s summer reading library’s appealing environment inspired safety programs in the library system. programs, which have been shown to her to volunteer, and, since January, the As a whole, the Carnegie Library beat out summer school as the best way eighth-grader has spent several hours plays an important but often overlooked to produce vocabulary gains and give each week helping to shelve books and role in the region. students an advantage over their fellow pick up toys in the children’s department. More than 6,100 people use the students who don’t read over the summer. But even branches that have yet to library system every day — about “We know quantitatively that early be updated report higher circulations, a 2.2 million people a year. Carnegie literacy makes a big difference in terms of trend that Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Mellon University’s Center for Economic later success,” says Mistick. “The schools Director Barbara K. Mistick attributes to Development ranked the library system are only open 180 days per year. The a growing awareness of the Carnegie higher in attendance numbers than the libraries do serve a critical need when it Library’s many offerings. Pittsburgh Zoo, any of the city’s museums, comes to education.” Libraries are vital to the many people the Steelers, the Pirates and the Penguins That educational component is one who still do not own personal computers, during the course of the year. More than of the big reasons the Endowments joined says Holly McCullough, manager of the two-thirds of city residents between the other charitable organizations such as the Squirrel Hill branch. And it’s getting ages of 13 and 36 have a library card. Buhl Foundation, the FISA Foundation harder and harder to get along without The popularity of the library system and the Claude Worthington Benedum Internet access in today’s world. was cited in a 2004 University of Foundation in supporting the Carnegie “If you want to apply for a job at the Wisconsin study as one of the primary Library system over the years. University of Pittsburgh, you have to do it factors for Pittsburgh’s ranking as the The Endowments’ recent grant online, and if you want an appointment third most literate U.S. city, and the helps fund capital projects in three city to apply for U.S. citizenship, you have to fourth highest for its library resources. neighborhoods. New libraries will be do it online,” Clark adds. “It’s happening And library usage is one of the measures built in the Hill District and the North more and more, and they’re all telling employed by the Places Rated Almanac, Side, and the East Liberty branch will people that if they don’t have a computer, which in April ranked Pittsburgh as undergo major renovations in the next then they should go to their local library.” America’s “Most Livable City” for the few years. The new Hill District branch According to Carnegie Library records, second time. will be across the street from one of the the system last year provided more than Surveys like those offer a reminder Pittsburgh School District’s accelerated 385,000 hours of free computer access of the importance of public libraries in learning academies, while the North Side through its branches. Efforts to keep the the city’s educational programs. More library will be within walking distance Internet a safe place for its young users than 9,000 young people participate in of another. The East Liberty branch is a got a boost from the Verizon Foundation, bus ride away from two of the schools.

072959.indd 7 10/9/07 3:51:04 PM Working with a renovation budget of about $3 million, architects Loysen + Kreuthmeier created a space in the Carnegie Library’s Brookline branch that has attracted teenagers back to the stacks, a group 8 that the staff feared was lost for good. Stephanie Cato, 13, far right, and her sister, Madison, 11, both home-schooled in the Knoxville neighborhood of the city, work as volunteers and help plan programs for teens and children.

BROOKLINE

Joe Dominic, director of the Today, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh systems,” says Endowments President Endowments Education Program, says offi cials report annual expenses of Maxwell King. that in addition to strengthening connec- $26.2 million. The library receives $16 In summing up the value of the tions with nearby learning academies, he million per year — more than any other library system’s importance to local wouldn’t mind if the foundation’s library single recipient — from the Allegheny communities — especially when adapting grant serves as a wake-up call to the larger Regional Asset District, which allocates to new social and economic issues — community that the Carnegie Library of sales tax revenue funding to area cultural Carnegie Mellon researchers wrote: Pittsburgh not only is worth supporting, and civic programs in the county. “In all of the puzzling about how but also is in need of support. Other contri butors include: foundations, we reach the next generation, we never Contrary to what many library users trusts, corporations and individuals, realized that Carnegie Library of might believe, the Carnegie libraries are $6.5 million; the state of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh had already reached them… . not well funded by Andrew Carnegie’s $6 million; and other government There are many challenges that our fi nancial legacy. The steel magnate did sources, about $482,550. Included in that region will face in the coming decades. launch a library building program in last category is $49,208 from the City While the library will not be immune 1895 that would make Donald Trump of Pittsburgh, which is about the same to these challenges, it may hold the key envious — he paid for construction of amount that city offi cials pledged to to overcoming them.” more than 2,500 libraries in the English- Andrew Carnegie as their annual contri- Homewood branch manager Graham speaking world — but he left only a bution back in 1895. understands libraries’ important role. small amount of money for day-to-day And the local support the Pittsburgh She knew she wanted to make a difference operations. In fact, library offi cials say library system receives — which is about in the world, and switched at the last that the cash Carnegie set aside to actually 62 percent with the sales tax revenue minute from law school to library school run the libraries would keep the doors included — lags far behind the national on the advice of a mentor. open for about six days per year. average of 81 percent. In fact, Pennsylvania “I wanted to defend the down- Carnegie’s stated vision was that ranks 43rd in local government support trodden,” she recalls. “Now I love it he would pay for the buildings and the to library systems, though it is fi fth in the when kids show me their report cards, fi rst shipments of books, but that the amount of state funding given to libraries. or when parents come in with their communities enjoying the libraries’ “This places unfair pressure on kids. I know those are the things that benefi ts would have to pull together to Pittsburgh foundations and other private really make a difference.” h manage —and pay for — the neighbor- funders to fi ll in the gaps, especially since hood insti tutions that bore his name. so many other cities our size provide more public money for their library

072959.indd 8 10/9/07 3:51:05 PM IN DOLLARS AND CENTS ehind the counter at the Party Cake Shop on The renovated Carnegie libraries “will Brookline Boulevard, owner George Dolan sees create vibrant, accessible, contemporary a slow but steady stream of customers carrying institutions that will play an important role in a book or two, stopping into his bakery after a future community revitalization and learning visit to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for residents,” Rendell said. branch next door. According to the Carnegie Mellon study, “It’s moms and their kids coming in for the Carnegie Library system generated an a cookie, or maybe someone comes in for a annual economic impact of $63 million in the cake, and I know they’re from the library,” says community, including direct spending and Dolan, shown at right with his brother Jack, the ripple effect of money spent by the library displaying their signature burnt-almond torte. branches and their customers. “Obviously anything like that is an asset to “Libraries partner in community the community. I’m glad they’re here.” revitalization projects that depend on the B The Party Cake Shop, which employs library to provide support and advocacy 17 people, is just one of hundreds of city for the neighborhood,” the Carnegie Mellon businesses located near Carnegie Library researchers wrote. “The infl uence of an branches. Many of those businesses benefi t experienced library staff, the civic presence in one way or another from the presence of in the core of a community, and active and a library in their community. engaged community outreach all contribute A study by Carnegie Mellon University’s to a stable neighborhood.” Center for Economic Development found that Some other highlights of the study include: every Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh patron • Every dollar invested in the Carnegie Library spends an average of $9.54 per visit at local of Pittsburgh returns about $6 of value to shops and businesses. local taxpayers. “I talk to a lot of the business owners • Every Allegheny County resident receives

Rene Rosensteel around here, and they’re always saying to me an average of $75 in benefi ts from the how important the library is to them,” says Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh each year. Holly McCullough, manager of the Squirrel • The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh supports Hill branch. “How could 400,000 people who more than 700 local jobs, either directly or come through my doors not have a positive indirectly. Another 200 jobs are created by impact on the local businesses?” library construction projects. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, in announcing • If library patrons purchased the books they the state’s $7.5 million contribution to the borrow from the library, they would pay Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s ongoing about $27 million. capital campaign, expressed his belief that • The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh provides libraries play a vital role in a community’s free access to several online databases economic well-being. that would cost as much as $12 million if “They serve not only as a source of purchased by individual users. knowledge and information,” he said, “but • If library patrons paid to rent the DVDs they are also economic drivers because they and videos they borrow from the Carnegie support local businesses and draw visitors libraries in the city, they would spend to the area.” about $2 million.

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