Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland)
The Oakland Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is cool as sh*t. We know this.
Here are just five reasons why:
1. They have an amazing array of events from Dance Dance Revolution to Storytime in Spanish.
2. It is open until 8pm from Monday through Thursday! (Closes 5:30pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.)
3. There is a Crazy Mocha on the first floor.
4. You can rent film and audio.
5. Free wireless internet access. (New!)
Feel free to add your own.
6. You can request any book in the county – online – and the library will inform you via email when the book is ready for pickup at the branch of your choice.
7. If you remember in time(!) you can renew your books online, too – though you can't pay your fines online yet. (I keep asking, though, and they say they are working on it.)
8. If you have a Donor Card, you get a discount at ALL the Crazy Mochas in the City.
9. You can drink your Crazy Mochas ANYWHERE on the first floor.
10. My two year old son wants me to make sure I add that the Children's Librarians are especially awesome
11. It is connected to the Museums
12. Soon it will be across the new park from a carousel!
RE: Reason #4 – and the rental is FREE as long as they're returned or renewed on time.
P.S. Music CDs, books on tape and CD, and online audiobooks and eBooks are also available.
aesthetically speaking, here are two more!
13: the steps of the marble staircase are literally worn down in the center because of the generations of people who have used them.
14: the tables on the second floor are perfect workspaces. large enough to spread across stacks of books, articles, your backpack, and a laptop. and (this is my favorite part) if you're lucky, you even get your own functional desk lamp!
All (or each one i've encountered) the people that work there are super swell and helpful!
15: (my favorite) Carved over the front door are the words, FREE TO THE PEOPLE.