Homewood Branch
🏢 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Homewood Branch
Opened on March 10, 1910, the Homewood Branch is the most architecturally distinctive of Andrew Carnegie's Pittsburgh libraries — a Gothic Revival landmark with a 300-seat auditorium and a World War I memorial at its Hamilton Avenue entrance that has served the Homewood South neighborhood for more than 116 years.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone: (412) 731-3080
Website: carnegielibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G2F442+48 (Pittsburgh, PA)
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📖 About Homewood Branch
The Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh stands at 7101 Hamilton Avenue in the Homewood South neighborhood of eastern Pittsburgh, where it has anchored the community since its opening on March 10, 1910. Built with a $150,000 Carnegie grant secured after years of local advocacy — and a community commitment to contribute $15,000 annually to operating costs — the branch was designed by the architectural firm Alden & Harlow in an unusual English Gothic Revival style that sets it apart from the classical forms of CLP's other branches. At 25,540 square feet it was among the largest Carnegie branch libraries in the country at the time of its construction, and a standout feature from the start was its fully equipped auditorium, today seating 292 and hosting community events, author programs and meetings. A 2003 renovation restored original woodwork and fixtures while modernizing mechanical systems, expanding the children's reading room and reconfiguring the grounds to include a seasonal community garden. The branch was listed on the City of Pittsburgh Historic Designations register and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks list in 2004, and it gained national cultural recognition when its reading room was featured in an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1910 English Gothic Revival design by Alden & Harlow — the most palatial of CLP's original Carnegie branch libraries, listed as a City of Pittsburgh Historic Landmark since 2004
- 292-seat auditorium restored in 2003 with updated sound system, used for community programs, neighborhood meetings and cultural events
- World War I memorial flanking the Hamilton Avenue entrance, described as "stunningly beautiful" by architectural historians
- Featured in an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, filmed on location inside the branch
- Seasonal community garden on the landscaped grounds, created when the 2003 renovation reconfigured the parking area
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through these digital collections:
📚 Services
- 292-seat auditorium available for community programs and neighborhood events
- Children's and teen reading areas with dedicated programming space
- Meeting rooms and study spaces
- Seasonal community garden on the library grounds
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Book return drop box for after-hours returns
- Access to CLP's 19-branch shared catalog and interlibrary loan network
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early literacy programs
- Teen programs and after-school activities
- Community and neighborhood meetings in the auditorium
- Author talks and cultural events
- Summer reading challenges for all ages
- Year-round programming across children, teen and adult audiences
📍 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
Why does the Homewood Branch look so different from other Carnegie libraries in Pittsburgh?
Most of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's original branch buildings were designed in classical styles, but the Homewood Branch was designed in English Gothic Revival — the architectural firm Alden & Harlow gave it ornamental stonework, Gothic arched windows and decorative masonry that make it the most palatial of their Pittsburgh branches. The city recognized this distinction in 2004 by adding it to the City of Pittsburgh Historic Designations list and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks list.
Was Mister Rogers really filmed at the Homewood Branch?
Yes — the library was used as a filming location for an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, the beloved Pittsburgh-produced PBS children's program. The Homewood Branch's reading room appears on screen, giving the branch a small but genuine piece of Pittsburgh television history.
What happened to the library in the 2003 renovation, and is the building still historic?
The 2003 renovation — the first of fourteen CLP Carnegie branches to be updated — focused on restoring original woodwork and fixtures while modernizing the 25,540-square-foot building's mechanical, plumbing and lighting systems. The children's reading room was expanded, the entryways were widened for accessibility, a new auditorium sound system was installed, and the parking lot was reconfigured to create landscaped gardens. The historic character of the building was preserved; it remained on both the City of Pittsburgh Historic Designations list and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks list, to which it had been added in 2004.
What are the extended evening hours at the Homewood Branch?
The Homewood Branch is open until 8 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, making those two evenings ideal for after-work or after-school visits. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday all run 10 am to 5 pm; the branch is closed on Sunday. Confirm hours before a holiday visit at carnegielibrary.org or by calling (412) 731-3080.
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