East Liberty Branch
🏢 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
East Liberty Branch
A neighborhood landmark born in 1905 and reborn in 2010 as a LEED Silver building, the East Liberty Branch houses Pittsburgh's most storied public library art — WPA-era murals of King Arthur's court painted in 1935 — alongside the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's 150,000-volume Heritage Collection and a seasonal community garden.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 130 South Whitfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: (412) 363-8232
Website: carnegielibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G2F36F+99 (Pittsburgh, PA)
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📖 About East Liberty Branch
The East Liberty Branch traces its roots to 1905, when Andrew Carnegie himself sent a message to the grand opening of the original library at the corner of Station Street and Larimer Avenue — one of the earliest Carnegie branch libraries in the Pittsburgh system. In 1935 the Works Progress Administration commissioned local artist Mary Shaw Mahronic to paint large-scale murals depicting tales of King Arthur for the children's room; those murals survived the branch's entire history and remain on display today. The 1969 urban renewal of East Liberty's commercial district prompted a move to the current Baum Boulevard and South Whitfield Street location, and in 2010 the building underwent a $5.6 million renovation designed by GBBN Architects that stripped it to its structural frame and enclosed it in a contemporary metallic exterior, earning LEED Silver certification. The 33,000-square-foot renovated facility, expanded by a 9,000-square-foot addition, is also home to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Heritage Collection — approximately 150,000 historically significant volumes relocated here from multiple CLP storage sites. The branch sits at the heart of one of Pittsburgh's most economically and racially diverse neighborhoods, serving East End residents with four evening openings per week, a dedicated teen space, meeting rooms and a seasonal community garden.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1935 WPA King Arthur murals — large-scale wall paintings by Mary Shaw Mahronic still displayed in the children's room, one of Pittsburgh's most distinctive pieces of New Deal public art
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Heritage Collection — approximately 150,000 historically significant volumes consolidated here from across the CLP system
- LEED Silver certified building (2010) — a $5.6 million renovation by GBBN Architects that rebuilt the 1969 structure with a contemporary metallic exterior and 9,000 sf addition
- The Labs — CLP's teen-centered digital creative space, available for media and maker projects
- Seasonal community garden on site, plus four evening openings per week (Monday–Thursday until 8 p.m.) in one of Pittsburgh's most diverse East End neighborhoods
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
All Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh cardholders can access these free digital resources:
📚 Services
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Heritage Collection (approximately 150,000 historically significant volumes)
- The Labs teen digital & creative space
- Meeting rooms for community groups and organizations
- Seasonal community garden
- Public computers, wireless printing, copier & free Wi-Fi
- After-hours exterior book return
- Access to full CLP system shared catalog — one card borrows at all CLP branches
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early-literacy programs
- Teen programs and The Labs open lab sessions
- Adult learning and digital skills workshops
- Tutor.com online tutoring (free for CLP cardholders)
- Community events and book discussions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Pittsburgh · Browse all Pennsylvania libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the King Arthur murals, and where can I see them in the library?
In 1935 the Works Progress Administration commissioned Pittsburgh artist Mary Shaw Mahronic to paint a series of large-scale, wall-sized murals depicting scenes from the tales of King Arthur for the branch's children's room. The murals were created as part of the New Deal's Federal Art Project and are among the few surviving examples of WPA library murals still displayed in their original context in Allegheny County. They are on view in the children's area of the current 130 S. Whitfield Street building, which has housed the branch since 1969.
What is the Heritage Collection, and can the public access it?
The Heritage Collection is Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's repository of approximately 150,000 historically significant volumes — rare books, older editions, and materials of particular research or cultural value — consolidated at the East Liberty Branch from multiple CLP storage locations. The collection is part of the library's overall holdings and can be inquired about through CLP staff; contact the branch at (412) 363-8232 or visit carnegielibrary.org for information on accessing specific materials.
Is the East Liberty Branch open on evenings and weekends?
Yes — the branch is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it one of the CLP branches with the most evening hours in the East End. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The branch is closed on Sundays. An exterior book return is available 24/7 for after-hours drop-offs. For holiday closures, check carnegielibrary.org or call (412) 363-8232.
What happened to the original 1905 Carnegie Library building in East Liberty?
The original East Liberty branch opened in 1905 on the corner of Station Street and Larimer Avenue — one of the first Carnegie branch libraries in Pittsburgh. It was demolished in the late 1960s as part of the controversial urban renewal redevelopment of East Liberty's commercial district, and in 1969 the library relocated to a new building at Baum Boulevard and South Whitfield Street. That 1969 structure was itself fully renovated in 2010 by GBBN Architects, earning LEED Silver certification, and is the building visitors enter today at 130 S. Whitfield Street.
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