Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hill District Branch CLP.20170725.001
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections
- Title
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hill District Branch
- Collection Number
- CLP.20170725.001
- Extent
- 3.5 Linear Feet Seven boxes
- Date
- 1899-2008
- Publisher
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections
- Address
- 4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
info@carnegielibrary.org
URL: http://www.carnegielibrary.org/
Content Description
The collection contains primarily administrative correspondence and annual reports beginning from the branch's opening in 1899 until 2003. The collection also includes reports and history of the branch and the 75th anniversary celebration. The collection contains construction and contract information for the building of the new branch, event fliers, meeting minutes from the advisory committee, monthly reports from both the branch and the boys and girls room from c.1960-1989. Also notably included in the collection is a day book from one of the librarians from 1899 to 1902 and early librarian exams. Photographs included in the collection have been removed from the documents and are housed in a separate folder. Notably a few were taken by the noted Pittsburgh photographer Charles "Teenie" Harris.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by folder and chronologically within each folder. The folders are organized with the earliest date in the back and the most recent in the front. The photographs dispersed throughout the collection have been removed from the documents and housed together in a separate labeled folder within the collection. A full box of snapshots from celebrations and events is housed separately in one archival box. The boxes are organized with the latest dates in front and the earlier dates in the back.
Biographical / Historical
One of the eight original Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches, the Wylie Avenue library, located in the Hill District, was the third branch built and was dedicated on June 1, 1899. The library served customers of many nationalities and provided books in 15 languages, including Hebrew, Russian, Romanian, Italian, German, Polish, French, Swedish, and Welsh. Over the first eight months, the branch was overwhelmingly successful.
During its peak, the Library circulated 220,330 books a year. From 1920 to 1949, the Hill gradually became a predominately African American neighborhood as other ethnic populations moved to other areas. The library's focus on foreign language books shifted to fit the changing demographic and to accommodate the interests and needs of the changing community. It was during this era that the Wylie Branch developed an extensive African American Collection.
In June 1971, Wylie Branch became a part of Inner-City Services department under the supervision of Ms. Elizabeth E. Combs. It began as a highly experimental endeavor, based upon plans formulated by members of the community. At this time the Wylie Avenue Branch also reversed its downward trend in use. Special library programs were presented and the number of groups used the library as a meeting place also increased. Due to a deteriorating building, the Wylie Avenue library was relocated to a new space at 419 Dinwiddle Street within the Phoenix Hill Mall, approximately 500 feet from the original building in 1982. It was at this time the branch was renamed Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Hill District.
On April 19, 2007, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and residents of Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood helped Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh officials break ground for a new library building, making it the first new building in the city's library system since 1980, located on the corner of 2177 Centre Avenue and Kirkpatrick Street. To complete the move, the Library consolidated its two Hill District locations, closing the Martin Luther King Jr. Reading and Cultural Center. On October 25, 2008, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh opened its first new building in over 28 years with a two day celebration.
The Hill District community has changed continually since the first Hill District Library opened in 1899, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh continues to meet the neighborhood's evolving needs. The Hill District branch is the first freestanding library built under Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Libraries for LIFE Capital Campaign. The location, on a major artery of the Hill District, provides the Library with great visibility and positions it to serve as a cornerstone in the area's redevelopment.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
There are no use restrictions.
Custodial History
The materials were removed from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hill District Branch and transferred to the William R. Oliver Special Collections Room.
Accruals
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hill District Branch sends new materials to the Oliver Room on an irregular schedule.
Preferred Citation
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hill District Branch, William R. Oliver Special Collections, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh