Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall

Meeple Meet-Up: Euro-Gaming for Adults
2026-03-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-28 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA, 15106, United States
Do you like Terraforming Mars? Settlers of Catan? Agricola? Ark Nova? Or other “Euro” or Euro-flavored strategy games with wooden meeples, worker placement, tableau building, and so forth? Come to the Library for an afternoon of board gaming!

You can also come if you are interested in learning how to play Euro board games.

This event is for gamers ages 18+.

Registration is not required to attend, but it is recommended, and those who register will get a link to our Discord server for any pre-game day discussions or suggestions. Please click here to register.

Carnegie's Legacy: The Evolution of Steel in Pittsburgh - with metallurgist Emily Grugan
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:30
For over 150 years, Pittsburgh has been known across the nation as the “Steel City.” From the early iterations of the steel industry, to the boom of US steel production, and ultimately to Pittsburgh’s current metals manufacturing environment, the story of steel in Pittsburgh has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Join local metallurgist Emily Grugan for an insider’s perspective on the importance of Pittsburgh’s steel history.

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.

2nd Saturday Civil War Series: The Influence of Women: How Women Worked, Served, Sacrificed, and Overcame during the Civil War, with Katie Wolfe
2026-03-21 13:00 - 14:00
In Person in the Studio at ACFL&MH

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9370579279Meeting ID: 937 057 9279

Drawn from an 1862 Harper’s Weekly illustration of the same title, “The Influence of Women” will explore the many ways in which women worked, served, sacrificed, and overcame during the Civil War. Women were everywhere during the war, serving both on the home front and on the front lines. This talk will include vignettes on…

Gone for a Soldier: Women Who Served

Hidden in Hair and Hoopskirts: Women as Spies

“Brave and Faithful”: Marie Tepe

The War on the Homefront

“The Angel on the Battlefield”: Nurses, Doctors, and Civilians

“She Ranks Me”: Mother Bickerdyke

A Mother’s Grief: The 62nd Pennsylvania

“Just Before the Battle Mother”: Civil War Music as a Comfort

Katie Wolfe is a proud member of the 62nd PA Volunteer Infantry Living History Family based in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. This living history family educates the public about the American Civil War and the 62nd PVI’s role in it through encampments and other programs both locally and in Gettysburg where the 62nd fought in the Wheatfield.

Katie lives in Indiana, PA, with her husband and two daughters, and they enjoy participating in the 62nd together. Katie holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Literacy degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is currently employed as the Program Coordinator at the Ford City Public Library. She also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Armstrong County Historical Society. Katie enjoys using her educational background to plan programs at her library, at the historical society, and with the 62nd. Her love of history, particularly the American Civil War, inspires her to share the stories of the soldiers and their families to keep the history alive.

Fluent Friends: Practice Speaking English with Literacy Pittsburgh
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-02-03 10:00 - 11:30
Join our open-to-all English Conversation Practice Group — a friendly and welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can come together to practice speaking English in a relaxed, supportive environment. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this group is about building confidence, improving fluency, and connecting with others through conversation. No pressure, no judgment — just real talk and real people. Everyone is welcome!

This group meets every first Tuesday of the month from 10:00-11:30am, and every third Thursday of the month from 5:30-7:00pm. Registration is not required — just drop in!

Time Travelers Historical Fiction Book Club: "The Rose Code"
2026-03-19 11:00 - 12:00
Join our historical fiction book group! We explore different eras of history, offer our thoughts and responses, and make new friendships as we share a different historical fiction title each month.

This group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 11:00am.

The title for this meeting will be The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. Copies of the book will be available at the Library’s checkout desk.

Registration is appreciated, but not required – please click here to register.

You Have the Floor: Conversations about Neighborhoods and News Coverage, with Public Source
2026-03-17 17:30 - 19:00
Local news is shifting in Pittsburgh. As outlets close, change or scale back, the question isn’t just what’s next but what local journalism could (and should) be for you.

“You Have the Floor” is a seven-day series of community town halls across the Greater Pittsburgh region. No speeches. No panels. Just neighbors talking about what information they need, what feels overlooked and how journalism can better serve the public. We’re listening.

This program is presented by Public Source.

Registration is required. Please click here to register.

What's an Infographic? What's a Data Visualization? What's the Difference? - with Dave Columbus
2026-03-16 19:00 - 20:30
We’re visual creatures living in a world of data. How do we process and understand it?

Join artist Dave Columbus for a compelling look at infographics, data visualizations, and the complex art of communicating numerical information through design. From something as simple as the ingredients in trail mix to massive projects representing reams of pop cultural data from Star Trek or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dave will consider the pros and cons of various approaches to presenting data for both the creator and the viewer.

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.

Craft Night at the Movies with Carnegie Crafters: "Mary Poppins" (1964)
2026-03-14 18:00 - 21:00
Calling all knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and fiber artists of every kind! Come join the Carnegie Crafters! We share advice and inspiration, chat with new friends, and work on our projects in a supportive group setting.

Tonight, join us for a Craft Night at the Movies! Enjoy crafting while we watch Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the movie will start at 7:00 PM.

No craft? No problem! You are welcome to join, but keep in mind that that the lights will be on. Please email carnegiecrafters@gmail.com with any questions.

Registration is not required – all are welcome!

Paperback Platoon Book Club: "We Used to Live Here"
2026-03-12 18:30 - 19:30
Calling all women veterans and family members: join us to connect with other women through a love of reading!

Paperback Platoon is a book club for women filled with veterans, service members, and their families. Our goal is to build connection with each other through a shared interest and love for reading. This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 PM.

Our title for this meeting will be “We Used to Live Here” by Marcus Kliewer. Copies of the book will be available for checkout at the Library’s circulation desk.

Join our BookClubs.com page or our Facebook group for more details or to register!

"Rovina's Choice": Documentary Screening & Discussion with Former USAID Workers
2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall is pleased to screen the 2025 documentary Rovina’s Choice: a film about a mother’s impossible choice at the intersection of war, hunger, and politics.

Through the plight of one woman trying to save her daughter from starvation, Rovina’s Choice traces the effects of the January 2025 elimination of US foreign aid programs. The loss of these programs is estimated to cause the deaths of over 14 million people by the year 2030. The film will be introduced by Beth Cameron, Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center and former Special Assistant to the President on the White House National Security Council staff.

Following the film, a panel of former USAID staff will discuss the cuts to life-saving aid and share some of their experiences working in the field of global humanitarianism. Light refreshments will be provided.

This is a free program. Registration is requested – please click here to register.

Knife Sharpening with Dennis Snedden: Whetstone Tips, Tools, & Techniques
2026-03-11 19:00 - 20:30
Look sharp – it’s a hands-on workshop on sharpening and caring for your knives! A well-sharpened edge is much safer and more effective than a dull one, and with a little guidance, anyone can learn to keep their knife edges in excellent condition. Experienced sharpener Dennis Snedden will teach participants how to keep their own knives sharp and ready to use.

Each participant should bring two or three 5″-10″ kitchen knives (non-serrated); a diamond, oil, or water stone (if you have one); a honing rod or steel (if you have one); your knife edge questions; and a will to learn! You will learn the best and safest techniques for honing a fine edge. Come with dull knives – leave with safer, sharper, functional edges!

No ceramic knives, hair or sewing scissors, please.

A suggested donation of $15 will be put towards funding the 2026 kids’ Summer Reading Program. Space is limited, so please click here to register! 18 years and older, please.

Ukulele Strum-Along
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00
Come strum with us! Join Amber Rozel of Steel City Ukuleles for a free introduction to the simple, versatile instrument known as the ukulele. Learn just a few simple chords, and you’ll be able to play hundreds of songs – no prior experience needed, and you don’t need to own your own ukulele! Meet other uke-enthusiasts and join our strum-along group!

The event will start with a special lesson for first-timers at 6:00 PM, followed by a more advanced Beginner+ lesson from 6:45-7:15. If you already know your way around a ukulele, join us from 7:15-8:00 for our group jam!

This group is intended for teens and adults. Registration is appreciated – please click here to register!

Carnegie Modular Railroaders
2026-02-28 13:30 - 15:00
Join the Carnegie Modular Railroaders, an all-ages group for anyone interested in model railroading! The mission of the Carnegie Modular Railroaders is to inspire and educate model railroaders of all ages through hands on learning, collaborative layout building, and shared exploration of the hobby.

The Carnegie Modular Railroaders meet one or two Saturdays a month at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall. For more information, please contact Nick Yackovich at 412-667-0929 or nicholas.yackovich@comcast.net.

All ages are welcome. Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.

Critical Thinking Unplugged: A Community Conversation on Truth, Trust, and Technology
2026-02-28 10:30 - 12:30
How do we know what to believe in a world of fake news, AI, and information overload?

Join Vernée Smith of the Unplugged Society, news producer Alex Popichak, and librarian Walker Evans as we talk about social media, chatbots, and who defines our shared reality.

What to expect:

Guided discussion on fake news, AI, and misinformation

Small-group conversations using critical thinking prompts

Group chat and community-building

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.

Postural Tips and Tricks, with ComForCare and Carson Eldercare Consulting & Management
2026-02-19 14:00 - 15:00
Join Laura Carson of Carson Eldercare Consulting & Management and Michelle Pekich of ComForCare to learn all about a common culprit of back pain: your posture! Learn how to maintain good posture as you age, thereby reducing the need for assistive devices and helping to prevent falls. We’ll explore some of the common imbalances that lead to forward head and neck posture, and also how to alleviate these and even reverse them.

Laura will also share some postural stretches and proper ergonomics to help keep your shoulders and head in proper alignment. Plus, attendees will have an opportunity to experience Laura’s massage chair.

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register!

Time Travelers Historical Fiction Book Club: "The Lions of Fifth Avenue"
2026-02-19 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Library’s historical fiction book group! We’ll explore different eras of history, share our thoughts and responses, and make new friendships as we share a different historical fiction title each month.

This group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 11:00am.

The title for this meeting will be The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fionna Davis. Copies of the book will be available at the Library’s checkout desk.

Registration is appreciated, but not required – please click here to register.

Embracing Our Differences: "We Humans" at 70
2026-02-16 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for community conversations about diversity & inclusion!

“We Humans” was an exhibit on race and racism developed by two former curators of anthropology at the Carnegie Museum. Through punchy rhetoric informed by then-current science, the exhibit encouraged workers, students, and citizens to question their assumptions about race and to value the lives and contributions of all people. It debuted in downtown Pittsburgh in 1955.

To mark the seventieth anniversary of the debut of “We Humans,” scholar Deirdre Madeleine Smith has organized an exhibit sharing and interpreting its history on view at Hillman Library on the University of Pittsburgh campus through July 2026. Tonight, Smith will offer an overview of “We Humans” at 70, and invite conversation about what the ambitions and shortcomings of “We Humans” have to teach audiences in Pittsburgh today.

Audiences are encouraged to view “We Humans” at 70 before this evening’s discussion. The exhibit is on the 3rd floor of Hillman Library (accessible by stairs or elevator) at 3960 Forbes Ave in Pittsburgh. Hours for the Hillman Library can be found here. Read more about this exhibit in Carnegie Museums Magazine.

Deirdre Madeline Smith is a Teaching Assistant Professor of Art History and Museum Studies at University of Pittsburgh with a joint appointment as a curator at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Registration is appreciated – please click here to register.

Faces of Civil War Nurses: An Exhibit
2026-02-14 13:00 - 2026-05-09 13:00
In partnership with Military Images magazine and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall is proud to welcome a new temporary exhibit, “Faces of Civil War Nurses,” featuring portraits and personal stories of women who served as nurses during the Civil War. The exhibit first debuted in 2025 at the Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum in Washington, DC.

It is estimated that over 20,000 women served as volunteer nurses during the war, enduring long hours and multiple tours of duty across both front-line battlefields and at numerous hospitals and communities across the country. Forbidden from serving in “indelicate” medical settings at the outset of the Civil War, women quickly broke down social conventions in caring for the sick and wounded, risking both disease and the brutal realities of war. These women provided invaluable aid, from changing bandages and cooking food to comforting the dying, and innumerable other tasks.

“During the Civil War, thousands of courageous women stepped beyond traditional roles to serve as nurses, caring for the wounded and sick in the chaos of war’s brutal realities. In this exhibit, you’ll stand face to face with life-sized portraits of 20 of these intrepid pioneers who shaped the future of nursing and redefined the role of women in American society,” said Military Images Editor and Publisher Ron Coddington. “This is a rare glimpse into their resilience, sacrifice, and humanity.”

The exhibit will be on display in the Lincoln Gallery at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall through May 9. The building is open Mondays from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesdays – Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For questions, please contact Espy Post Curator Jon-Erik Gilot at gilotj@carnegiecarnegie.org.

2nd Saturday Civil War Series: Faces of Civil War Nurses - Portraits, Photography, and the Making of Caregiving History, with Ron Coddington
2026-02-14 13:00 - 14:00
In Person in the Lincoln Gallery at ACFL&MH

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9370579279Meeting ID: 937 057 9279

Portrait photographs of women who served as caregivers offer rare, powerful evidence of how Americans understood nursing during the Civil War. These images—made possible by rapidly evolving photographic technology—capture not only grit and determination, but intention: how women presented themselves, how they wished to be seen, and how caregiving entered the visual record of war. By studying these portraits alongside contemporary writing and context, this presentation explores what these women wore, why they served, and how photography helps us rethink who qualified as a Civil War nurse.

Ron Coddington began collecting Civil War–era portrait photography as a teenager, launching a lifelong pursuit to uncover images of men and women and tell their stories. His research has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and a series of books published by Johns Hopkins University Press, including Faces of Civil War Nurses, which inspired this traveling exhibit. His most recent book is Gettysburg Faces (Gettysburg Publishing). Ron is the editor and publisher of Military Images, a quarterly magazine founded in 1979 and dedicated to the study and preservation of historic photographs. He has more than 40 years of experience as a journalist at USA TODAY, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The San Jose Mercury News, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Civil War Gaming: Brothers at War - Antietam
2026-02-14 11:00 - 13:00
Join Pittsburgh wargamers Paul Lawson and Brian Palmer for a free introduction to historical tabletop wargaming! Command your troops and experience the strategy and tactics of the battles that determined our nation’s future.

Today we play through the Antietam scenario of the game Brothers at War. Brothers at War is a medium-complexity wargame designed by Christopher Moeller and suitable for ages 14+. No experience is necessary. Please join us!

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.

Paperback Platoon Book Club: "The Man I Never Met"
2026-02-12 18:30 - 19:30
Calling all women veterans and family members: join us to connect with other women through a love of reading!

Paperback Platoon is a book club for women filled with veterans, service members, and their families. Our goal is to build connection with each other through a shared interest and love for reading. This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 PM.

Our title for this meeting will be “The Man I Never Met” by Elle Cook. Copies of the book will be available for checkout at the Library’s circulation desk.

Join our BookClubs.com page or our Facebook group for more details or to register!

Get to Know Ramadan!
2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:00
Join members of the Attawheed Islamic Center for a fun exploration of Ramadan! You’ll learn about the history of this important month, the significance of the Quran in Ramadan, the effects of fasting, and a day in the life of a Muslim during Ramadan. Come learn about this period observed by over two billion people worldwide.

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register!

Free Legal Advice Clinic with the Allegheny County Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Center
2026-02-10 16:30 - 18:30
Please note that the date of this program has changed from January 29 to February 10.

Join us for a Free Legal Advice Clinic on Tuesday, February 10th, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM!

Attorneys from the Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Center will be available for thirty-minute appointments to provide free legal advice.

To request an appointment, please call the library directly at 412-276-3456, or email Library Director Walker Evans. Please be prepared to share your name, contact information, and the topic of your legal questions.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait to schedule your appointment! We look forward to seeing you on February 10th!

Selah Labyrinth Meditation Walk
2026-02-07 11:00 - 12:00
Join members of Carnegie Presbyterian Church’s New Hope Worship Center for an open meditation walk through the church’s Selah Labyrinth. Journey inward through a contemplative walk through the labyrinth’s twists and turns into the center and back out again, in a process similar to a spiritual or personal exploration. This event is beginner-friendly and non-denominational.

All ages are welcome, but we ask that guests maintain a calm and quiet demeanor while navigating the labyrinth.

No registration is necessary – please drop in any time between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM!

NEW DATE – “That Beast Was Not Me”: An author visit with Jeffrey Smalldon
2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:30
As a forensic psychologist, Dr. Jeffrey Smalldon has shared conversations with some of the most notorious murderers in modern American history – including Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy, to name a few. He has evaluated more than 1,000 murderers and consulted on close to 300 death penalty cases, and has appeared on 60 Minutes II, Larry King Live, 48 Hours, Good Morning America, and Connie Chung Tonight.

Tonight, he presents stories from his memoir, That Beast Was Not Me: One Forensic Psychologist, Five Decades of Conversations with Killers. Join us to hear about his fascinating five decades immersed in the world of true crime. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event from Woolly Bear Books and Gifts.

Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Please click here to register.
