Written by Maggie Forbes The Library’s beloved “Miss JoLynne” is leaving the Carnegie Carnegie for a new position. JoLynne Dougherty’s departure may be the epitome of “bittersweet. We are happy that a wonderful opportunity with Carlynton School District has opened up for her. But all of us who have “Shaken our Sillies Out” with Miss Read More

Written by Maggie Forbes It is an honor for the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall to be invited to submit a monthly column for this brand new publication, Chartiers Valley monthly. I grabbed the inaugural issue, but my colleagues will rotate through, sharing a variety of outlooks from the “Carnegie Carnegie.” A bittersweet Read More

We first met in October when I introduced myself as the new music hall director at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall. At that time, I told you about my daily journey through two tunnels and a bridge while commuting from Swissvale to Carnegie. I promised that our audiences here at the Carnegie Read More

Written by Maggie Forbes Staff and board at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall are still walking on air following the grand opening of Library Park on April 23. Dreams really do come true! We had perfect summer weather for the opening. Earlier that week we’d had snow; temperatures plunged back to the Read More

Written by Maggie Forbes The grand opening of Library Park on April 23, 2022 began with highland piper Evan Burlew processing up the walkway and ended with the BGV’s concert on the piazza in front of the Music Hall steps.  In between hundreds of visitors young and old from near and far streamed up and Read More

For nearly a decade, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall has been proud to host a biennial Civil War symposium, featuring one full day of Civil War historians and enthusiasts discussing this pivotal period in American history. Paired with our national treasure Captain Thomas Espy Post, our contemplative Lincoln Gallery, and our monthly Read More

While Thanksgivings present so often involves friends, family, food and football, our visions of Thanksgivings past likely hearken back to the pilgrims and Native Americans at Plymouth. How many of us think of Gettysburg when someone mentions Thanksgiving? Just me? Yikes! In recognition of the Federal victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July 1863, Abraham Read More

“The Kennywood exit!” “Pardon?” I replied. “I take the Kennywood exit to get to your house. First exit after the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.” “Oh, well, yes. That is ‘the Kennywood exit!’ ” This conversation took place as I gave directions to my Swissvale home to someone kind enough to take my wobbly old IKEA bookshelf Read More

I have the honor and privilege to work in a grand building that has just turned 120 years old. I fell in love with the stately Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall almost immediately as an intern from the University of Pittsburgh 11 or so years ago. I eventually became a Carnegie resident and Read More