Mount Washington Branch
🏢 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mount Washington Branch
One of Pittsburgh's oldest and most scenic neighborhood libraries, the Mount Washington Branch sits along Grandview Avenue at 1,367 feet above the Monongahela River, offering sweeping views of Downtown from its hilltop perch in the same 1900 Alden & Harlow building — newly expanded and restored in 2021.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| 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: 315 Grandview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Phone: (412) 381-3380
Website: carnegielibrary.org
Plus Code: 86GXCXMQ+9R (Pittsburgh, PA)
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📖 About Mount Washington Branch
The Mount Washington Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has served the community atop Pittsburgh's South Side slopes since May 31, 1900, when it opened as one of the very first neighborhood-style libraries Andrew Carnegie built in the city. The branch was made possible in part by the Mt. Washington Reading and Library Association, which residents formed in 1882 and whose reading room had been operating since 1888 before Carnegie's gift formalized the effort. Designed by the prominent Pittsburgh firm Alden & Harlow — the same architects behind CLP's Main Oakland branch — the two-story brick building features a gracious arched entrance that has anchored Grandview Avenue for more than 125 years. The City of Pittsburgh recognized the structure as a historic landmark in 2004 (it had already been named to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation list in 1989). A $3 million renovation and 2,500-square-foot addition completed in 2021, led by Elagin Architecture and Volpatt Construction, added an elevator, ADA-compliant entrances, dedicated zones for children, teens, and adults, and a new outdoor terrace that frames the same spectacular panorama of Downtown Pittsburgh that has greeted visitors since the turn of the century.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Historic 1900 Alden & Harlow Carnegie building — one of Pittsburgh's original neighborhood branch libraries — fully restored and expanded in 2021
- Outdoor terrace with sweeping panoramic views of Downtown Pittsburgh across the Monongahela River valley
- New 2,500 SF addition with dedicated children's, teen, and adult areas plus an accessible elevator and ADA entrances
- Extended evening hours Tuesday through Thursday until 8pm for after-work and after-school visits
- Part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system — one CLP card borrows materials at all CLP branches across Allegheny County
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Pittsburgh cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through CLP's shared digital collections:
📚 Services
- Physical collection of books, large-print titles, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines
- Public computers, printing, copying and free Wi-Fi
- Dedicated children's area with age-appropriate materials and programming
- Teen space with materials and programs for middle and high schoolers
- Community meeting space (accessible via elevator)
- ADA-compliant building with elevator access throughout
- Outdoor terrace — scenic hilltop vantage above Downtown Pittsburgh
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime (Tuesday mornings)
- Summer reading challenge for kids and teens
- After-school homework support
- Seasonal community programs for all ages
📍 Nearby Libraries in Allegheny County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Pittsburgh · Browse all Pennsylvania libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Mount Washington Branch reopen after its 2021 renovation, and what changed?
The branch reopened in early 2021 after a roughly $3 million renovation and expansion led by Elagin Architecture and Volpatt Construction. The project added 2,500 square feet to the original 5,000 SF Alden & Harlow building, creating dedicated zones for children, teens, and adults, and adding an elevator, ADA-compliant entrances, a new slate roof with copper gutters, energy-efficient systems, and an outdoor terrace overlooking Downtown Pittsburgh — all while preserving the 1900 historic structure.
Is the Mount Washington Branch building officially historic, and who designed it?
Yes. The branch was designed by the Pittsburgh architectural firm Alden & Harlow — the same firm that designed CLP's Main Oakland library — and opened on May 31, 1900. The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation named it a historic landmark in 1989, and the City of Pittsburgh added it to its official list of historic designations on July 28, 2004.
Which evenings is the Mount Washington Branch open late?
The branch keeps extended evening hours Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, staying open until 8pm. Monday, Friday, and Saturday hours are 10am–5pm, and the branch is closed on Sunday.
Can I access Pennsylvania library databases from home with a CLP card?
Yes. POWER Library (powerlibrary.org) is Pennsylvania's statewide collection of research databases and a curated set of always-available eBooks — free for all Pennsylvania residents. CLP cardholders also access Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, and Kanopy for eBooks, audiobooks, music, films, and comics at no charge.
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