About Us

Mission

The Mission of the Carnegie Library of McKeesport is to enhance the quality of life for all individuals in its community by serving as an information resource center.

Funding

The Carnegie Library of McKeesport is a member of the Allegheny County Library Association and the EINetwork. The Library is funded by or receives in-kind support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD Tax), McKeesport, White Oak, Mckeesport Area School District, and the City of Duquesne. Click to see how you can support the library.

Meetings

  • Regularly meets on third Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. of the following months:
  • January, March, May, July, September, and November.

Officers

  • Michael J. Abraitis III, President
  • Eileen Lenart, Vice President
  • Judith Bookhamer, Secretary
  • Assunta Tyskiewicz, Treasurer

Citizen Members

  • Michael J. Abraitis III
  • Judith Bookhamer
  • William C. Hunter
  • Eileen Lenart
  • Thad Merriman
  • Assunta Tyskiewicz

Government Representatives

  • Mayor Michael Cherepko,
    City of McKeesport
  • V. Fawn Walker Montgomery,
    McKeesport City Council
  • Mary Jane Keller,
    McKeesport Area School District
  • Mayor Ina Marton,
    White Oak Borough
  • Marlene Wallington,
    Duquesne City School District

Friends of McKeesport Carnegie Library, Inc.

About

The Friends is a 501-c-3 tax-exempt organization which accepts donations for and at times organizes fundraisers to benefit the library.

1507 Library Avenue, Mckeesport, PA 15132

Serving the communities of McKeesport, White Oak, Dravosburg, South Versailles, Versailles, Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth Borough, Forward Township, and Duquesne.

Become a member today.

Officers

  • President, William C. Hunter
  • Vice President, Mary Tomasello
  • Secretary, Laura W. Jenkins
  • Treasurer, Vacant
  • President Board of Trustees, Michael J. Abraitis III

Members

  • Gayle Chapman

  • Susan Fletcher
  • Paul Gleditsch
  • Kate Hunter
  • Catherine Lobaugh
  • Martha McAllister
  • Paula Puskaric
  • Philip S. Slaugh
  • Dolores Sullivan
  • Eileen Wilson
  • Library Director

Carnegie Library of McKeesport’s History

The Carnegie Library of McKeesport 2002 The Carnegie Library of McKeesport 1902 It has stood at the top of a hill for a century. The outside of the cleaned Carnegie Library of McKeesport, an imposing stone structure, is a visual symbol of the strength and importance of the events that have taken place inside this fine building. Events that have given the community an enduring legacy – children exploring the wonder of books, community groups gathering for lectures and events, friends enjoying lively dances and theatrical productions, and civic organizations meeting and making decisions — all of which have helped shape and touch the lives of many individuals. The Library itself began as a result of the efforts of one civic organization: The Women’s Club of McKeesport. Newly formed in late 1898, the Club’s first goal was to create a library for McKeesport. Knowing of his interest and support of other library projects, Club Secretary, Mrs. Fred Crabtree wrote to Andrew Carnegie asking for his help. After many pleas over the next year, he responded with a gift of $50,000 to build the building.

His gift was made with the understanding that the City of McKeesport would furnish a proper site for the building and provide for its maintenance and operation. A far corner of the Evans Estate, bounded by what are now known as Carnegie, Library and Union Avenue was chosen as the location. On February 11, 1900, an ordinance was passed by the Council of the City of McKeesport accepting Mr. Carnegie’s donation and appropriating $3,000 annually for the operation of the library. William J. East, a noted Pittsburgh architect, designed the building that is recognized as one of the area’s architectural treasures. On July 15, 1902 President James Evans and Mrs. Fred Crabtree of the Board of Trustees opened the Library’s doors.

The Library has grown considerably from the collection of 3,000 books Librarian Emily Kuhn first offered the community in 1902 to the present total of 110,134 books. The Library was named a historical landmark in the late 1970’s. Ruth Richards was the director from 1963 to 1984. Recent renovations include the installation of nearly 16,600 Spanish roof tiles in keeping with the original design of the building. Since the 1990’s additional changes and renovations have included an elevator, handicap accessibility, wiring, computers and the establishment of three branch locations. The White Oak Branch opened in 1992 at Heritage Hill Park. The Elizabeth Forward Branch operated from July 1998 to May 11, 2013. The Duquesne Branch opened in 2001 in the Duquesne Education Center. Jo Ellen Kenney was the director from 1989 to 2013. Kelley Moten was the director from mid-2014 through May 2015. Matthew Stefanko was the director from June through December 2015. Judith Gaydos was the director from June 2016 through August 2017. Colleen Denne was the director from January 2018 through August 2020. The expanded parking lot with 30 spots opened on Aug. 9, 2019. Read an article by Lu Donnelly in Western Pennsylvania History magazine’s Winter 2014-2015 issue. Listen to Matt Stefanko’s interview with Jason Togyer about the library. Read the article with Colleen Denne in 2/5/18 Tube City Almanac. The Board of Trustees, Director and Staff are proud to present the best library around — the Carnegie Library of McKeesport — for the next hundred years. Below is a poster for an ox roast event that was held several years ago: Ox Roast from years ago

Internet Use Policy

Click to see Internet Use Policy
Notice concerning wireless network: Our free wireless network is not a secure network. We recommend that you do not use this network for the transfer of sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or bank account numbers, even while using SSL encryption built into your web browser. This data would be vulnerable during transit on the network, where any person in the area running simple software on a wireless laptop computer could intercept the data. Remember that anything wireless is inherently less secure than anything with wires. Carnegie Library of McKeesport accepts no liability for any loss of privacy or data you may experience while using our network, wired or wireless. This is not a complete list of policies.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Click here for APPLICATION form. (Not fillable online — must print and bring to library OR stop in and pick up a blank application)
  • Must have all State required CLEARANCES.
  • Applications should be addressed to: c/o Michele Parrish, Administrative Assistant.  They may be dropped off in person; emailed to parrishm @ einetwork.net; faxed to 412.672.7860; or mailed to:
    Carnegie Library of McKeesport c/o Michele Parrish 1507 Library Avenue McKeesport, PA 15132

  • Applications are always accepted, even if there are no current openings, and they are held for one year.
  • Please call to inquire about any current openings.

Materials Available

  • Adult and Children’s Fiction & non-fiction — books, eBooks, audio books (CD or digital).
  • Large Print, Young Adult, and Reference BooksNewspapers & Magazines (including digital versions).
  • Music CD’s, Movie and TV DVDs, digital movies.
  • Special Collections.

Borrowing Procedures

    • Borrowers’ cards are initially issued free of charge to residents of Allegheny County. Patron must show photo ID and proof of current address to obtain a card.
      • Proof of address: If the address on your ID is old, also bring a bill or some other document showing your current address.
      • It is FREE online to change the address on your PA ID or license, and the state requires this to be done within 15 days of moving. Go to www.dmv.pa.gov and follow the links to change address on your photo ID.
    • The library participates in Access Pennsylvania, the state-wide library card system. This entitles most residents of the state to borrowing privileges and incredible digital resources.
    • Library accounts ‘expire’ and must be renewed every two years. If your account has reached the expiration date, simply stop in at any County library to update your record, then you can continue to use your existing library card. You will need to show your photo ID. Until you renew, you will not be able to check out materials (including ebooks), access library computers, renew items or place orders for items.
    • Most items may be borrowed for three weeks.
      • Often, materials are able to be renewed. If you would like to renew before the date your items are due, you can log in to My Account; call us at 412-672-0625; or call the automated renewal line at 412-622-1895.
      • If your items are already overdue, you’ll need to call a library and speak to someone in person to try to renew.
      • Items that have been requested by other patrons will not be able to be renewed.
      • There is a book drop at White Oak for after-hours returns.
  • DVD movies may be checked out for one week. Some circulating reference materials are also restricted to a one week loan period. A maximum of five videos and DVDs may be borrowed by adults, and a maximum of two for children. Some sets of DVDs can be borrowed for longer than a week, but please check each individual item on your receipt.
  • You can sign up for the free text service offered by Allegheny County libraries and renew by text!text message Click here to learn more (search text notifications)!

 

Special Services

  • RESERVATIONS – All materials in circulation may be reserved. All materials not owned by this library may be requested from the Electronic Information Network member libraries. There is no fee if materials are returned by the due date.
  • REMOTE ACCESS TO CATALOG/RESOURCES – Access the library catalog 24 hrs. day/ 7 days a week from any computer. You can also pay fines online here. Go to: http://acl.bibliocommons.com/
  • MATERIALS FOR THE BLIND AND THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED – A fine selection of large print books is available at this library (LBPH). Registrations for talking books, tapes, and braille may be made through this library.
  • MEMORIALS/ HONORARIUMS -Click ON-LINE FORM or stop by the Library to request a form. Notice is immediately sent to the family.
  • COMPUTERS – Computers are available for public use. The catalog, reference materials and the Internet (and Wi-Fi) can be accessed at the library. Microsoft Office (EXCEL, WORD, ACCESS, PUBLISHER) and other software is available on all patron computers.
  • Wi-Fi Printing
    Open a fresh browser window and LOG IN to free WI-FI here (note: as with most open networks, it is free and not secure).
  • PROGRAMS
    • Visit the Event Calendar for details/more programs/program registrations.
    • STORYTIME is held most weeks for preschoolers, the SUMMER READING PROGRAM is conducted each summer — for all ages, and we have various SEASONAL PARTIES and activities for families (Halloween, Christmas, Easter, International Village, movie nights). TEENS can visit for Wii tournaments, craft making programs, movies, and more. ADULT PROGRAMS include movies, crafts, workshops, and seminars are offered throughout the year.

Price List

Price List

Staff Use

  • SharePoint Office 365 site:
    • For best results, first Switch User to your account.
    • CLM’s SharePoint
    • You can access via the shared desktop (black background). Log into your email, then use tic-tac-toe board to choose SharePoint, then choose CLM’s site.
    • For StaffHub — new (or old StaffHub), it’s also best to first log in as your account in Windows.
    • Email — Outlook:
      • Firefox:
      • Chrome:
      • Internet Explorer (blue ‘e’ browser):
        • Right click HERE and choose “Copy Shortcut”.
        • Then hit Ctrl+Shift+P. And then hit Ctrl+V (this pastes the URL into the address bar).
      • or clunkier way to get to email:
        • Start Office 365 (1st screen: enter whole email and don’t need password. 2nd screen: enter first part of email before the @, and your password.). For remote, go to outlook.office365.com.
      • Close entire browser window when done to ensure sign out (can’t just close the email tab).
    • Change Password (email): https://reset.einetwork.net/.
Application for employment at this library: * Application form is in home/Staff/Applications folder (adults and students use same form) Clearancesclick here for fees, online forms and links. Mandated Reporter Training. Free, even for the general public. This link is for Pitt’s Child Welfare Resource Center.