Braddock Carnegie Library Celebrates Grand Reopening with Community Open House and Ceremony

Business Wire

22-05-2025

BRADDOCK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Braddock Carnegie Library Association (BCLA), U. S. Steel and the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted a grand reopening celebration for the Braddock Carnegie Library on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The celebration caps off a four-year renovation of the first Carnegie Library in the United States, a National Historic Landmark.
The grand reopening marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of this historic institution which has served area residents across three centuries. The $21 million Carnegie One Capital Campaign has supported the renovation, which included much-needed physical and accessibility improvements to enable BCLA to better fulfill its mission as a responsive, essential place of community learning, development, and enrichment for its neighbors.
The celebration kicked off with performances from Woodland Hills High School jazz band and Cheryl Capezzuti's Dancing Puppets, which led into the official ceremony and ribbon cutting. The program was emceed by Josh Getzoff from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and speakers included Lt. Governor Austin Davis, PA State Senator Nick Pisciottano, PA State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Teddy Werner from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Honorary Campaign Co-Chair U. S. Steel President & CEO David B. Burritt, as well as representatives from the BCLA and the Regional Asset District.
'We are so grateful for the support from everyone who has been a part of getting the Library to this day – from our funders and community partners, to local, state, and federal elected officials and our patrons who have been an integral part of this project,' said Vicki Vargo, BCLA Executive Director. 'The board and staff of the Library are ecstatic to share the renovated, accessible space with our community. It is truly a monumental milestone in the building's 136-year history.'
In recognition of the Library's status as the first library commissioned and built by Andrew Carnegie in the United States, Vargo unveiled the Library's new name and brand: Carnegie One. The new brand reflects the Library's impact as a true community center for the five municipalities it serves and better equips it to serve the entire community.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Library officially reopened its doors for a community celebration that lasted until 4:30 p.m. The event included the following organizations, performances, and activities:
Woodland Hills High School Jazz Band – The band performed to welcome attendees to the official ceremony and again to kick off performances in the Music Hall.
Cheryl Capezzuti's Puppets for Pittsburgh – Like the Woodland Hills Jazz Band, Puppets for Pittsburgh performed at the start of the ceremony and again on the Music Hall main stage. Puppets for Pittsburgh also offers a free lending library of giant puppets at the Braddock Carnegie Library plus collaborative making and performance opportunities for everyone.
Propel Andrew Street High School Band – The band wrapped up the musical performances with a concert in the Music Hall.
Calise Cowans – Cowans, a Woodland Hills High School junior, performed a reading of her original poetry. Calise has attended numerous programs at the library since she was four years old!
Woodland Hills School District Student Reading Champions Ambassadors - The Penguins Foundation in partnership with U. S. Steel developed the program Reading Champions to encourage students to be champions of reading. The Ambassadors and other children visitors got creative with craft activities in the new Children's Book Nook. IceBurgh was on hand to mingle with guests.
PearlArts Movement and Sound – Herman Pearl, Co-Artistic Director for PearlArts, deejayed 'underwater' in the new Book Dive space while visitors enjoyed refreshments and a selfie booth. PearlArts recently moved to Braddock and is located across the street from the library.
BCLA staff facilitated activities throughout the Library, including demonstrations and art projects in the Fab Lab, tile painting and decorating in the Bathhouse Ceramics Studio, and jewelry making in the Design Room. Visitors were also invited to share their memories of the Library in the Archives Room.
U. S. Steel Community Outreach – Don German, manager of the U. S. Steel's Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, was on hand to discuss the family of bald eagles living on property at the plant and share the live webcam of the eagles. In addition, Becky Bloom provided information on workforce development opportunities with the company.
'Carnegie believed that libraries should be places where people come together to learn, grow, and build a better future. At U. S. Steel, we're thrilled to carry that legacy forward,' said U. S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt. 'This library is a reminder that knowledge is one of our greatest strengths. Lifelong learning opens doors, creates opportunities, and helps communities thrive. We're honored to support a resource that will continue to inspire and empower generations to come.'
Penguins alumni and Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier and David B. Burritt, President & CEO of U. S. Steel, served as Honorary Co-Chairs of the campaign. The Carnegie One Capital Campaign began with a lead gift from Eden Hall Foundation and grew to include funding from:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor
Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD)
National Endowment for the Humanities: Capacity Building Challenge Grant
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Community Project Funding
This project is being supported in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior
Allegheny Foundation
Anonymous Foundation
B. K. Simon Charitable Foundation
The Burke Foundation
Dawn and Chris Fleischner
Dollar Bank Foundation
Eden Hall Foundation
Epic Metals Charitable Foundation
The Fine Foundation
The Grable Foundation
Henry L. Hillman Foundation
Jack Buncher Foundation
Juliet Lea Simonds Hillman Foundation
Martha Mack Lewis Foundation
Mon Valley Initiative – NPP Funding
Peter C. Dozzi Family Foundation
Pittsburgh Foundation Anchor Fund
Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation
Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Rita M. McGinley Foundation
Transtar, Inc.
U. S. Steel Corporation
The Werner Family Foundation
Key components of the renovation include:
Conversion of three separate building entrances into one main entrance, which is now ADA accessible and home to the U. S. Steel circulation desk. This creates a central hub for information sharing (a key role that the BCLA plays in the community) and facilitates more efficient staffing and navigation.
Installation of an elevator in the center core allows universal accessibility to all three floors of the library.
Full renovation and modernization of the BCLA's historic Music Hall allows BCLA to generate revenue by hosting performances, events, and gatherings for nearly 500 attendees.
Conversion of the original swimming pool into a reception space known as the Book Dive.
Renovation of previously unusable rooms such as the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation gymnasium, due to extreme heat or cold made possible with the addition of new windows and insulation, masonry repairs, and installation of a new HVAC system, resulting in year-round climate control and improved utilization of the building.
'Libraries are places where communities come together – where children can learn and families can find resources,' said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. 'The Braddock Carnegie Library represents all of that and so much more. It's a part of this region's history, and I'm thrilled it will continue to be an asset for generations to come.'
More than a library in the traditional sense, the BCLA is a dynamic, ever-evolving center of the community, serving approximately 15,000 residents in five communities – Braddock, North Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Chalfant, and Turtle Creek. The BCLA responds to the needs of the community and serves as a space of growth, self-determination, safety, and healing for the wider area. The BCLA provides a plethora of services such as computer and internet access; a diverse collection of library materials and an innovative alternative lending collection; a variety of literacy and art programs that engage and empower the community; educational and workforce development opportunities that connect patrons to jobs; and meeting spaces for community groups of all types.
'This library has served generations of residents across the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries as a place to learn, gather, and grow,' said County Executive Sara Innamorato. 'With this renovation, the Braddock Carnegie Library is not only preserving its history but creating a sustainable future, with revenue-generating spaces and modern upgrades that will help meet the evolving needs of today's patrons.'
The Library will begin its normal operating hours on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Learn more about the Carnegie One Capital Campaign in support of BCLA and how to donate to the BCLA here. BCLA is also offering the unique opportunity to purchase a commemorative plaque to be placed on one of the 478 new chairs that will be installed in the renovated music hall. By visiting BCLA's site here, patrons can take part in the history of this beautiful music hall and building and help secure the future of the Braddock Carnegie Library Association.
About U. S. Steel
Founded in 1901, U. S. Steel delivers profitable and sustainable steel solutions. Propelled by its talented employees and an unwavering focus on safety, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products. Steel production begins with our competitively advantaged iron ore production capabilities which fuel our integrated steelmaking facilities and investments in electric arc furnaces. To help our customers create the best products with the fewest emissions, we are committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. U. S. Steel is at the forefront of creating steels that are stronger, lighter, and better for the environment. This includes our proprietary XG3® advanced high-strength steel, verdeX® steel produced with 70-80% lower CO2 emissions with a recycled content of up to 90%, and ultra-thin lightweight InduX™ steel for electric vehicles, generators, and transformers. U. S. Steel maintains operations across the United States and in Central Europe and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com and follow U. S. Steel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Braddock Carnegie Library Association
A National Historic Landmark, the Braddock Carnegie Library opened in 1889 as the first U.S. public library Andrew Carnegie dedicated to his workers. For over 130 years, the Braddock Carnegie Library has served as an anchor to an evolving community, providing residents with tools for dynamic, engaged learning, and resources for meeting life's challenges. Today, BCLA serves approximately 15,000 residents in five communities - Braddock, North Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Chalfant, and Turtle Creek. Upon completion of BCLA's Capital Campaign - The Campaign for Carnegie One - all facets of the building, including the Gymnasium, Rotary Room, Book Dive, and Music Hall will be universally accessible and climate-controlled. The BCLA anticipates being able to host graduations, artist showcases and performances, community forums, weddings, and other special events—all without interfering with regular programming space. BCLA Board of Trustees: Andrew McGhee, President; Chardae Jones, Secretary; Mandy Merchant, Treasurer; Jack Howell; Jaime Glasser; David Landis; Traci Jackson; Peter Kubiska; and Alaina Webber.