Something for everyone!
IN THIS ISSUE...
...get to know two amazing Carnegie Carnegie volunteers ...meet the artists of our new Global Performance Series ... check out our 2024 year in review and lots more!
Katie Byerly, Public Services Manager
Cullen Cleary, Circulation Clerk
Denise Edeburn, Finance Manager
Walker Evans, Library Director
Marlee Gallagher, Executive Director
Jon-Erik Gilot, Espy Post Curator
RJ Kozain, Events & Technical Coordinator
Matthew Loughran, Social Work Intern
Heidi Matthews, Music Hall Director
Tenay Nolen, Maintenance
Alice McWreath, Circulation Clerk
Ethan Snow, Circulation Clerk
Ronda Snow, Circulation Clerk
Mikayla Wobrak, Children’s Librarian
Nate Wyrick, Associate Library Director & Facility Manager
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joan Massella, President
Mike Hatcher, Vice President
Chris Green, Treasurer
Rema Abdin, Secretary
Don Alexander
Mary Bhaskar
Hillary Harlan
Alex Popichak
Vanessa Sebetich
Ex Officio Members
Tom DiPietro
Terry Lee
LIBRARY HOURS
Please note: Summer hours begin June 28
Mon 12-7PM
Tue-Thu: 10AM-7PM
Fri-Sat: 10AM-5PM
Sun: Closed
Dear friends & neighbors,
It’s early March and snow is still falling in Carnegie, but spring is right around the corner, and we have a lot to look forward to here at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall! But first, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2024 and all that we were able to accomplish last year.
We wrapped up 2024 on a very positive note, surpassing our $100,000 yearend fundraising goal and reaching more donors through our end of year campaign than we previously have. A BIG thank you to the more than 200 donors who contributed to the Carnegie Carnegie during our end of year appeal.
Beyond fundraising, our programs also hit some significant milestones in 2024. Our Civil War Symposium was our biggest and most successful to date, engaging 110 attendees and raising $4,300 to support future Civil War programming. Our Music Hall & Studio saw increases in both rentals and performances, including more of our own productions, thanks to two new series: Saturday Soirees & Studio Summer Jazz. Our Library tracked more than 70,000 visits and circulated more materials – from books and periodicals to e-magazines and video games – than the prior year. Many, many thanks to our staff – their tenacity and love of our Library & Music Hall make everything we do here possible.
All that to say, here we are in 2025, ready to share so many new and exciting programs and opportunities for our community! Some highlights include a Spring Job Fair with JFCS on April 4, Lincoln Portrait with the Duquesne Wind Symphony on April 6, our Civil War Symposium on April 11 & 12, and our Earth Day Celebration on April 26. Be sure to check out pages 8 & 9 to see more upcoming events and activities this spring.
April will also bring the closure of our Music Hall, but don’t worry, it’s only temporary! We’re installing a new HVAC unit, ensuring a cleaner, cooler, and more comfortable experience for our guests and performers.
Before we sign off, we wanted to remind you that April 1 is Library Giving Day! This national day of giving for libraries is a great opportunity to advocate and show your support for the Carnegie Carnegie – please join us.
Thanks for reading along – we look forward to seeing you here this spring!
The Volunteers’ Volunteer
Gloria Roman has always been a helper. As our new volunteer coordinator, she is now “helping the helpers” by organizing, supporting, and recruiting the volunteers that make fulfilling our mission possible.
For most of her career, Gloria, a resident of Rennerdale, was an occupational therapy assistant in both hospitals and school-based settings, ending her career helping children with special needs. After retiring, she looked for ways
to continue to contribute to the community, so along with watching her grandchildren, she started volunteering at the Library, helping with children’s programming and other varied tasks around the building.
“I feel like I was put on this earth to be a helper, so when I retired, I knew that had to continue,” Gloria says.
Her brother-in-law, one of our board members, mentioned to her that we were looking for a part-time volunteer who could take on managing the volunteer scheduling. It felt like a great fit for Gloria, who used to manage a busy caseload of clients each week and was already deeply connected with our organization.
“It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s been such a joy to work with Gloria and discuss ways we can improve and grow our volunteer program,” our executive director, Marlee Gallagher, shares. “Gloria has so many great ideas and such enthusiasm for this work. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her.”
Gloria has already begun reaching out to current active volunteers to become acquainted with their schedules and
-Walker Evans, Library Director
skills, as well as doing outreach to local schools, scout troops, and interested individuals to secure additional volunteers.
“When you volunteer, you really feel like you’re giving back. If someone has a special skill, no matter what that is, there are ways for it to be used here,” Gloria says. “The Library needs you, and you’ll leave with a sense of unity in keeping this beautiful place alive.”
Meet Katie Jordan
If you’ve visited us on a Wednesday morning, no doubt you’ve noticed a quiet, calm young woman lending a hand around the Library. For the past three years, volunteer Katie Jordan has been our reliable helper, always eager to assist with the countless tasks that help the Library run smoothly.
A love of books is what originally drew Katie to the Library. She’s an enthusiastic reader who even writes her own VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
stories. When Katie volunteers at the Library, she takes on everything from labeling new books to sanitizing the toys that small children have placed in their mouths. She’s also mastered our paper shredder, and has helped us shred years of outdated notes and records.
Volunteering has been a long-time interest for Katie. Before joining our team at the Carnegie Carnegie, she was a frequent volunteer in the mail room of St. Clair Hospital, where she delivered mail to different offices. Organizations that are dedicated to helping people, like the hospital and the Library, are where Katie finds fulfillment.
Outside of her volunteering efforts, Katie stays active and busy. She loves to swim, go bowling, and play miniature golf. At the moment, she’s looking forward to an upcoming family trip to Emerald Isle in North Carolina – even Dexter, her pet boxer, will accompany them!
I asked Katie how she feels about the work she does here. “Everyone at the Library is so nice,” she said. “I love coming to the Library.”
And we love having you here, Katie! Thank you so much for all of your wonderful contributions and help.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? We always have a need for people to help with landscaping, ushering, children’s programming, light maintenance, and more. If you would like to lend a helping hand, complete our volunteer form at CarnegieCarnegie.org/about-us/employment-and-volunteering or stop by!
Celebrating & Looking Back on Five Years in Carnegie
-Walker Evans, Library Director
Time, as we know, is relative. As I approach the fifth anniversary of my time as library director at the Carnegie Carnegie, I can’t quite decide whether I feel like I’ve been here forever, or like I’m just getting started. In some ways I suppose it’s a bit of both.
For the Library, this past half-decade has been a time of change and growth. As I’ve shared elsewhere, my first week in this role was also the week that the COVID-19 pandemic brought society grinding to a halt. Those first few months were a time of contrasts – I had a new team of colleagues, but had barely met them in person; we were scrambling to find ways to provide Library service, but our building sat empty; and many of our patrons needed the reliable information, entertainment, and academic help that we provide, but our ability to connect with those patrons was seriously limited.
Since then, the Library & Music Hall – as well as Carnegie itself – have worked their way into my heart in a way that I hadn’t experienced in my past workplaces. It’s been five years of chatting with patrons at the circulation desk, taking part in community events like the Halloween Promenade and the Arts Walk, and connecting with the people and organizations of Carnegie while strategizing about the
best ways to support them. I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful folks in town, and relished hearing from longtime patrons about their early memories of the Library. It’s a humbling experience to remember that I’m just playing a small part in the 120+ year relationship between the Carnegie Carnegie and the people who call it their own library. I feel a personal investment in this relationship, and it’s an honor to participate in furthering it.
As much as my understanding and love of Carnegie has grown, in some ways I do still feel like this is all new to me. The more I learn, the more I realize just how many opportunities there are for the Library to offer fun, innovative, and educational programs and resources that build community. Five years in – with new staff, thousands of special programs, hundreds of thousands of checked out library items, and countless chats with Library patrons under my belt – I believe that the best is still to come.
ON DISPLAY AT THE CARNEGIE CARNEGIE
What do these things have in common: antique pieces of mildly radioactive Depression-era glassware; a tarot deck illustrated with drawings from medieval manuscripts; handmade quilts and quilting supplies; and a collection of dozens of Transformers toys?
If you guessed that all of these objects have been featured in the Library & Music Hall’s display cases over the past two years, you’re correct! We are always on the lookout for surprising, fascinating, and eclectic displays to share with our visitors. It’s one way that we try to help tell the stories of our community: the collections that are special to our patrons, the history of the organizations that help us connect with one another, and the broad world of interests and hobbies that express the uniqueness of each individual in our community.
Our current installations include a Ramadan display (pictured above with our circulation clerk, Ethan) and an antique Civil War game display. Stop by soon and check them out!
Would you like to share a display of your own? Whether it’s a personal hobby, a local organization’s history, or a significant milestone you’d like to celebrate, we want to hear from you. Contact our library director, Walker Evans, at 412.276.3456 x12 or evansw2@CarnegieCarnegie.org.
It’s been a busy few months at the Carnegie Carnegie! Several new partnerships with various groups and individuals have resulted in a diverse array of programs: something for everyone!
matter behind them have been fascinating and engrossing. We look forward to more collaborations to come!
Embracing Our Differences
One of the most exciting recent programs was the February edition of our ongoing discussion group Embracing Our Differences. Our group has met for the past four years to share conversation about books that explore topics of human difference, race, gender, and diversity. Our most recent selection was American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard (Grand Central Publishing, 2022).
...AND HOSTS NEW VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSIONS
Last October, world renowned Pittsburgh jazz pianist Tom Roberts performed his original live score to accompany a screening of the iconic 1922 horror film Nosferatu. We have worked with Tom in the past – his New Orleans jazz combo Red Beans and Rice has performed here more than once – but he shines just as brightly as a solo performer. Tom’s deep knowledge of recorded music history is on display in the “Hot Club of Pittsburgh” virtual listening sessions that he’s begun hosting with us. These sessions highlight some of the under-appreciated performers of “hot jazz,” an energetic style most popular in the 1920s and ‘30s.
Tom Roberts Scores Nosferatu Zumba with Emonie
Music also appears in a somewhat different context in our new Zumba series with the multi-talented Emonie Smith. Emonie leads special storytimes and cultural programs at the Library. In her monthly Zumba classes, she guides participants through the dance-based exercise phenomenon. If you’re looking for a fun way to get moving, check it out!
Prime Stage Theater
We were thrilled when our long-time storytime volunteer Rebecca Godlove (aka B.B. the Book Fairy) suggested a partnership with another group she works with: Prime Stage Theater! Prime Stage had a stellar season of performances this year, featuring such works as Look Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story, I Never Saw Another Butterfly and the Terezin Promise, and Twelve Angry Men Rebecca’s presentations on these shows and the subject
If you’ve never heard of Pittsburgh’s Freedom House EMS, be sure to check out this against-all-odds tale of a group of Black men from Pittsburgh’s Hill District who essentially invented emergency medicine in the late 1960s.
Program Highlights continue on Pg. 7
AND A SPECIAL GUEST VISIT GET
A NOTE FROM THE TLC
Are you an ambitious teen? Do you want to earn volunteer hours while collaborating with other driven teens? Do you want to see a change in your community? If so, then join the Carnegie Carnegie's Teen Library Council!
Teens ages 12-18 can write for the Carnegie Carnegie newsletter, plan clubs and programs, recommend teen books for the collection, volunteer at events, promote teen literacy, act as library ambassadors/representatives, and much more.
The TLC meets monthly every 3rd Saturday. To learn more, email wobrakm@CarnegieCarnegie.org.
All are welcome to join. Don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to represent your community!
Celebrating the Universal Languages of Music & Movement
-Heidi Matthews, Music Hall Director
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Global Performance Series, an exciting new initiative that celebrates the unifying power of music and art across cultures. As part of our mission to welcome, inform, entertain, and engage the community in lifelong learning, this series will feature performances by artists representing diverse cultures from around the globe, providing a platform for inspiring, educational, and entertaining voices. This series not only offers entertainment but also creates opportunities for discussions about the social and cultural influences behind music and art. Audience members will have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with the artists. Music and art have long been a catalyst for social change, and these performances will inspire audiences to explore how music and art can bridge cultural divides and promote inclusivity.
Each performance will highlight diverse global traditions, from the vibrant sounds of Zambian pop to the serene artistry of a Japanese tea ceremony. Before each concert, attendees will enjoy an engaging presentation that provides educational insights into the culture and history surrounding the featured music and artistry, enhancing the overall experience and appreciation of the performances.
By presenting established artists from around the world who now call the greater Pittsburgh area home, we aim to create an immersive experience that encourages dialogue and appreciation for global artistry. This series demonstrates how music and art can build bridges between communities and foster lasting connections.
Percussionist Subha Das of the ensemble Steel City Calypso shares, “Steel City Calypso celebrates traditional Calypso and Soca music from Trinidad and Tobago, while fusing it with American jazz. We pay homage to artists such as Lord Kitchner and Miles Davis during the same performance. It is, if you will, a beautiful collision of two musical worlds.” Steel City Calypso will perform as part of our new series this July.
“Our group is very excited to be included in this series because we feel that we are unique, in that we are one of the few groups in Pittsburgh performing Afro-Caribbean/ Afro-Caribbean Jazz.” -SUBHA DAS, STEEL CITY CALYPSO
Ethnomusicology doctoral candidate and director of the Afropop Ensemble, Mathew Tembo, is also to be featured in this new series. Mathew’s musical journey began in 1994 with the band Afro-Vision. His passion for blending traditional African instruments with contemporary sounds has taken him around the world. After an enlightening experience in Europe, Mathew shifted from reggae to Zambian pop, incorporating instruments such as the silimba, kalimba, and kalumbu into his compositions. He sings in Chinsenga and Chichewa, and his music not only entertains but also educates audiences about the rich traditions of Zambian music. He has performed alongside renowned artists like Oliver Mtukudzi and Mulatu Astatke and continues to inspire through both his scholarly work and performances. We are pleased to welcome Mathew to the Studio for his August performance.
The Global Performance Series will kick off on Saturday, June 14 with a traditional Japanese tea service performed by Yuko Eguchi. Yuko, a native of Tokyo, Japan, holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Growing up, she studied classical ballet, piano, and the Japanese tea ceremony. After 20 years of training, Yuko received the master title of tea, Soyu, in 2009, and the title of assistant professor of tea in 2013, certified by the headmaster of the Urasenke School. For her dissertation research, Yuko studied the music and dance of Japanese geisha, known as kouta and koutaburi, and received the master title of kouta, Kasuga Toyo Yoshiyu, in 2012. Yuko has performed and lectured on Japanese traditional arts at multiple conferences, including the Society for Ethnomusicology and the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia, as well as at various colleges and universities. We are honored to have Yuko share her expertise in Japanese traditional arts as part of the Global Performance Series.
Stay tuned for more details on the lineup and how to join us in celebrating the universal languages of music and movement. Together, let’s explore how the arts transcend borders and connect communities worldwide.
Program Highlights continued from pg. 5
The story is equally dramatic, inspiring, and infuriating –the group’s members had to fight for every scrap of recognition and funding they received. We were honored to be joined by John Moon, one of the members of Freedom House, who spoke about his experiences in the program and answered questions from our fascinated attendees.
If there’s a Library program that you’d like to see here, we’d love to hear from you! Contact our library director, Walker Evans, at evansw2@CarnegieCarnegie.org or 412.276.3456 x12 with your ideas.
Saturday Soirees
In 2024, we introduced a new series in the Studio: Saturday Soirées! The series transforms our downstairs space into an intimate nightclub, complete with cafe tables, hors d’oeuvres, drinks – and of course, some of the best musical talent in Pittsburgh.
Last year’s series kicked off with Tania & Jeff Grubbs in April followed by Daina Griffith in June. In October, we welcomed Resonance Works ahead of their successful run of The Little Prince in our Music Hall in November. And we closed out the series with the fabulous Delana Flowers in December.
Because it was such a hit last year, we didn’t wait long to bring the series back in 2025! Pete & Scott opened this year’s Saturday Soirées with a sold-out show in January. Check out our events calendar to see who’s coming up next!
ADAM LEE-MORGAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA’S
Nutcracker Suite
Late in December, we partnered with the Adam LeeMorgan Jazz Orchestra to present Duke Ellington’s and Billy Strayhorn’s Nutcracker Suite in the Music Hall. Two evening performances were held, free to the public, bringing in friends, new and old, for this special holiday production.
The Adam Lee-Morgan Jazz Orchestra will return to the Music Hall this year for our September 26 benefit, Gatsby: A Jazz Age Celebration. We’re thrilled to build on this new partnership! More details will be available soon.
Tony Campbell & Jazzsurgery
KICK OFF STUDIO JAZZ 2025
In February, Tony Campbell and his band, Jazzsurgery, kicked off our 2025 Studio Jazz Series. The youngest saxophone player inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Society’s Hall of Fame, Tony’s musical journey began in Pittsburgh’s vibrant Hill District in 1973. With a career that spans more than four decades, Tony has collaborated with legendary artists, toured extensively, and made significant contributions to the national jazz scene.
We were honored to welcome Tony and his band to Carnegie for this performance and look forward to having them back sometime soon. We have a lot of great shows coming up for this year’s Studio Jazz Series – be sure to check out our calendar for the full lineup!
AN UPDATE ON THE MUSIC HALL RESTORATION
Big things are happening in the Music Hall this spring! Beginning April 14, the Music Hall will be closed for performances and rentals as we begin our HVAC installation. This is a major part of our overall restoration project, and we look forward to bringing our performers and guests a more comfortable and enjoyable experience in our space. The Music Hall will reopen in August. Thank you to our supporters of this phase of the project: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Allegheny Foundation, Colcom Foundation, and the hundreds of community members who have contributed over the years.
Library programs are free to attend. Please let us know if you’ll be there - register at CarnegieCarnegie.org.
JOB FAIR PREP WORKSHOP WITH JFCS
Prepare for the upcoming Spring Job Fair during this interactive presentation. Afterwards, attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a career counselor to receive personalized guidance. Limited spots are available –register today!
›› APR 1 AT 10:30AM
SPRING SUSPENSE CLASSICS SERIES
Join the Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club for their Spring Suspense Classics Series.
›› APR 2 7PM - NIAGARA (1953)
›› APR 9 7PM - OUR MAN IN HAVANA (1959)
SPRING JOB FAIR WITH JFCS
Looking for your next career opportunity? Join us at the Spring Job Fair! Network with 30+ employers from a variety of industries, learn about local job openings and career advancement opportunities, and get connected to community resources to support your job search.
›› APR 4 11AM-2PM
SOUTH HILLS MODEL RAILROAD CLUB TRACK DISPLAY
Come see an amazing room-sized model railroad track display, courtesy of the South Hills Model Railroad Club. This fully operational track creates its own tiny world to explore.
›› APR 4-5 10AM-5PM
AARP PRESENTS: PREPARE TO CARE
Learn more about AARP’s caregiving program that supports anyone who is planning to or is currently involved in caring for a family member or close friend.
›› APR 7 6PM
WELLNESS WITH RONDA: RECYCLING
CARNEGIE CELEBRATES EARTH DAY
Our Earth Day celebration returns for its fifth year! Join us for a day of all-ages fun and learning with live animal encounters, games and eco-crafts, live music, food, and all kinds of environmental education. Generously sponsored by Landau Building Company.
›› APR 26 12-3PM
KNIFE SHARPENING WORKSHOP
Look sharp - it’s a hands-on workshop on sharpening and caring for your knives! Come with dull knives - leave with safer, sharper, and more functional edges.
›› APR 28 AT 7PM
AUTHOR VISIT: MARK FATLA
Mark Fatla, lifelong baseball fan and author of Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks (Arcadia Press, 2023) chronicles the nine ballparks that hosted major league baseball in Pittsburgh, 1876 to present.
›› MAY 3 AT 11AM
AUTHOR VISIT: MICHAEL HARITAN
Pittsburgh-based photographer and author of Chernobyl: Aftermath of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster, Michael Haritan shares his experience in Chernobyl and the nuclear disaster’s effects on the natural environment. Michael’s photographs will be on display in the Lincoln Gallery in May.
›› MAY 22 AT 7PM
VITALANT BLOOD DRIVE
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Be part of the solution - become a blood donor! Donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
›› MAY 27 12-5PM
CARNEGIE CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH
Join us for food, dance, art, and more as we celebrate the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
Get ready for Earth Day! Learn recycling basics and how to most effectively recycle using local resources and residential waste services.
›› APR 19 AT 10:30AM 101
NEVER MISS AN EVENT! Join our email list for monthly updates all year long. Sign up at bit.ly/CarnegieUpdates.
›› JUN 21 11AM-1PM
›› SEP 26 || SAVE THE DATE!
Gatsby: A Jazz Age Celebration Join us September 26 for our annual benefit. More details coming this summer.
Children’s Library
ANIME CLUB
Seasoned otaku and anime newcomers alike are welcome to watch anime, play games, and create art. For ages 10-18.
›› 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAYS AT 3:30PM
LEGO CLUB
LEGO building for grades K-5, but younger (supervised) and older kids are welcome to join the fun.
›› 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS AT 3:30PM
To stay up-to-date on our storytime schedule & for helpful early literacy information, sign up for our Storytime Gazette at bit.ly/StorytimeGazette.
Music Hall & Studio
details & ticket information: CARNEGIECARNEGIE.ORG
REGGIE WATKINS: RIVERS ALBUM
RELEASE CONCERT
Reggie’s artistry will be on full display during this memorable night of creative music. Join us after the concert for a meet & greet and CD signing party.
›› MAR 29 AT 7:30PM
AARON COPLAND’S LINCOLN PORTRAIT
Composed in 1942, Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait combines orchestral music with narrated excerpts from Lincoln’s most powerful speeches. James Gourlay will conduct Duquesne’s Wind Symphony. Special guest Dr. Josie Badger will narrate.
›› APR 6 AT 3PM
STUDIO JAZZ SERIES
Join us for an exciting season of jazz in the Studio! All concerts begin at 7PM; doors at 6:30PM.
›› APR 24 - NORSIDE ORGAN TRIO
›› MAY 29 - TANIA & JEFF GRUBBS
›› JUN 26 - THE HOWIE ALEXANDER TRIO
›› JUL 10 - MIRROR TRIO + GUESTS
›› AUG 7 - RML JAZZ
JESSICA LEE: EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Acclaimed jazz and blues vocalist, Jessica Lee, known for her soulful blend of classic, contemporary, and crossover styles presents “Songs of Nature.”
›› APR 26 AT 1PM - FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
GLOBAL PERFORMANCE SERIES
A new initiative that celebrates the unifying power of music, performance, and art across cultures. All performances take place in the Studio.
›› JUN 14 AT 2PM - YUKO EGUCHI: JAPANESE TEA SERVICE
›› JUL 24 7PM - STEEL CITY CALYPSO
›› AUG 14 7PM - MATHEW TEMBO: AFROPOP
SATURDAY SOIRÉE: MISSY MORENO
Pittsburgh-based performer and Chicago’s Second City alum, Missy Moreno brings her signature blend of music and comedy to the Studio in the debut of her newest original cabaret!
›› AUG 9 AT 7:30PM
EMERGING ARTIST SERIES WITH PJO
Together with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, we are pairing the city’s top young jazz talents with PJO members for a dynamic musical exchange. Join us for the series kick-off!
›› SEP 14 AT 3PM - SOOJIN PARK, DRUMS
Civil War Programming
ANNUAL CIVIL WAR SYMPOSIUM
Our 2025 Symposium, Our Battle Flags Were Tattered: The Maryland Campaign, is coming up soon! Ticket sales close April 1.
›› APR 11-12
2ND SATURDAY CIVIL WAR SERIES
A free series featuring a new theme and Civil War historian each month. Lectures begin at 1PM in the Lincoln Gallery & Zoom.
›› MAY 10 - DR. EDDA FIELDS-BLACK
›› JUN 14 - MAT LIVELY
›› SEP 13 - MATT BORDERS
The Espy Docent Corps: Sharing Our History
-Jon-Erik Gilot, Espy Post Curator
In February 1906, the veterans of the Captain Thomas Espy Grand Army of the Republic Post, through incredible foresight, forged an agreement with the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Commission to protect and preserve the precious artifacts of the Post even after the last veteran had passed on. “We leave for our children and their children,” the veterans decreed, “this room full of relics, hoping they may be as proud of them as we are, and that they may see that they are protected and cared for, for all time.”
To share the history of the Captain Thomas Espy Post, we are blessed with a corps of dedicated docents who open the room each Saturday and for special events, sharing the history of the Grand Army of the Republic and the veterans who called the Espy Post home. Over the past two years, more than 1,500 visitors have toured the room, some traveling from hours away, while others just happen to wander up the stairs through Library Park. While some visitors spend just a few minutes taking in the scope of the room, others may spend hours inspecting the carefully identified artifacts and curios. All express a sense of wonderment that this room, tucked into an upstairs corner
of a local library, is perhaps the most intact surviving example of more than 7,500 Grand Army of the Republic posts that once dotted our nation.
Our docents are as unique as the visitors who walk through our door, each bringing their own experience, background, and interests. Likewise, each docent has specific artifacts in the room that speak to them, ensuring that visitors are bound to hear a different tour with each different docent. This not only keeps the tours fresh for the many visitors who find their way back but ensures that we’re touching on distinctive aspects of our local historical memory.
We are always excited to welcome new docents to our dedicated corps. If you have a particular interest in Civil War history, local history, or perhaps you’re just interested in volunteerism and community service, the Espy Post offers a unique opportunity to engage an interested audience. Some days may be busy with guided tours and drop-ins, while others are slower, offering time for quiet reflection in a beautiful, historic setting.
The Captain Thomas Espy Post is free and open to the public for tours each Saturday from 11AM-3PM. If you are interested in touring the post or becoming a docent, please reach out to Jon-Erik Gilot, Espy Post Curator, at 412.276.3456 x19 or gilotj@CarnegieCarnegie.org.
Scamanda
Scamanda (2025 Four Episode Series on ABC) is a true story about Amanda Riley, a wife, mother, and patient going through cancer. She is a person that everyone loved to be around and got along with anyone she encountered. During her cancer journey, Amanda starts writing a blog and posts pictures of when she was at the hospital for her appointments. She becomes very involved in a Christian church, and they are always there to help and support her. Not only people at church, but friends she made over the years, donating money to cover the cost of the medical bills, buying the family dinner, watching their kids, etc. People really went out of their way to help her and the family in every and any way they could.
As time goes on, someone from Amanda’s past comes across her blog and continues to read and thinks, Things aren’t making sense. She ends up getting in touch with an investigator about the story. Will the truth of Amanda’s story unravel? After I watched the show, I was in total shock. I would rewatch this series, but wish there would be more
episodes because this show really grabbed my attention. I highly recommend this show, especially if you like Dateline, 20/20, or True Crime shows. -Katie Byerly, Public Services Manager
Orbital BY SAMANTHA HARVEY
The winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, Orbital is like entering a brief but intensely vivid dream. We share the experience of six astronauts – American, British, Italian, Japanese, and Russian – as they orbit the Earth in a space station. But if you’re waiting for HAL 9000 to appear, you’ll be disappointed – Harvey forgoes sci-fi plotting to focus instead on the human experience of space exploration, as hard realities of austerity and deprivation jostle against extremes of awe and beauty. Some readers might find their tolerance for rhapsodic prose stretched a bit, but this isn’t a book that overstays its welcome... I read most of it in one sitting on a rainy afternoon. If you’ve ever reflected on humanity’s place in the universe, or the fragility of our round blue home, Orbital will speak to you. -Walker Evans, Library Director
Civil War Series & Symposium: More Than “Mud & Blood”
-Jon-Erik Gilot, Espy Post Curator
When I started at the ACFL&MH in early 2021, I was nervous. I was charged not only with serving as curator of the Captain Thomas Espy Post, but with planning and promoting the wildly successful 2nd Saturday Civil War Series, brainchild of my predecessor, mentor, and ACFL&MH legend, Diane Klinefelter. Begun in 2014, Diane had a knack of attracting world-class historians to our Carnegie hilltop to share lectures on new and forthcoming books and documentaries. Her programs regularly averaged some 60+ attendees.
But the COVID pandemic drastically changed people’s attitudes on public events and large gatherings. Would attendees come back? If so, how long would it take? It was important to the Library – and to me personally – that the program not only survive but thrive.
Now in its 12th year, I’m thrilled to share that our 2nd Saturday Civil War Series continues to attract a large and diverse audience, building on Diane’s firm foundation. Last year saw record attendance at our monthly lectures, surpassing the previous record in 2023. Our January lecture, which has historically been a smaller crowd due to the weather, brought out 70 attendees on a blustery and snowy day. We see a sizable number of regular attendees who share their Saturday afternoons with us, but also continue to welcome new attendees who may just be interested in a specific speaker or topic.
In planning a slate of speakers, I’ve made a conscious effort to diversify both our topics and our speakers. While so much of Civil War historiography tends to be the “mud and blood” military history, it’s important that we also study the social, political, economic, and ethnographic threads of this most pivotal period in our nation’s history. Last year saw talks as varied as martial music, Frederick Douglass, Reconstruction in Indian Territory, espionage, and a lively (and humorous) look at a Civil War Road Trip of a Lifetime.
I hope you’ll consider attending one of our 2nd Saturday lectures in 2025. If you can’t make it to the Library, many of our lectures are also available on Zoom, Facebook Live, and our YouTube channel. For a full listing of our speakers, please visit our website, CarnegieCarnegie.org.
Beyond our monthly lectures, we’re also growing our annual Civil War Symposium. Begun in 2015 as a half-day lecture, our Symposium has grown to a two-day event in 2025. With a sold-out crowd over the past three years, we’ll also
be moving into the Music Hall, offering more (and more comfortable!) seating.
Our April 11-12 symposium will focus on the Maryland Campaign of 1862, culminating in the Battle of Antietam, which remains America’s single bloodiest day. In recent years this pivotal campaign has enjoyed renewed interest through fresh scholarship and publications, battlefield preservation, and licensed battlefield tours. We have eight dynamic historians coming to Carnegie to explore not only the battles, but the impact of the campaign on civilians, the enslaved, and the landscape. The weekend also features author book signings, an expansive used Civil War book sale, raffles, Espy Post tours, and tastings by Arsenal Cider – Pittsburgh’s own Civil War-based hard cider distillery.
To date, we’ve sold more than 170 seats to attendees who will travel to Carnegie from at least nine states and Canada. This represents more than a 30% increase in symposium attendance over 2024, and more than 40% over 2023. Clearly, word is getting out beyond our city and region. If you can’t join us in 2025, we hope you’ll consider joining next year. Plans are already underway, and we expect to announce a keynote and theme later this year. The symposium is always a wonderful weekend of fellowship and scholarship for history enthusiasts.
These record crowds for our monthly lectures and annual symposia aren’t happening because I’m particularly charming, or that I’m such a great emcee – although I’d like to think that has something to do with it. Rather, as I try to remind our attendees, the Civil War is not a stale topic.
The events of the mid-19th century continue to impact and influence our daily lives and culture in ways we may not even recognize. With today’s hyper-charged political climate and flashpoint news cycles, it’s important that we examine and evaluate the lessons of the Civil War with some of the best and brightest minds in the field. Right here in Carnegie.
A Stage for Love and Philanthropy
-Joyce DeFrancesco, Communications & Marketing Volunteer
The love story began with ties to the stage, so it was only fitting that Pittsburgh natives Monica and Brandon Beale’s wedding would take place on one.
When a mutual friend introduced them in 2011, their professional lives were already intertwined in the city’s performing arts scene: Monica worked at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra while Brandon’s expertise was in stage and theatrical equipment.
“It was instant,” Monica recalls of their first meeting.
Fast forward six years, their careers had blossomed, taking them to Virginia. However, when it came to their wedding, they knew their hearts belonged in Pittsburgh. A traditional ceremony didn’t resonate with them so Brandon proposed a unique venue: The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.
“My previous company installed their new red curtain,” Brandon remembers. “And then, years later, we got married in front of it.”
Last year, the couple decided to make a meaningful annual donation. Though they had recently relocated to Wisconsin, where Monica serves as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s vice president for development, Pittsburgh was once again the right place for their philanthropy.
“We wanted to invest in a community resource where we could truly make a difference,” Monica explains. “The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall was the perfect fit; it resonated deeply with our own experience there.”
Monica’s online research led her to an opportunity to endow the Hall’s green room. With just one brief phone call and email exchange with the Library’s executive director, their generous gift was secured, helping to ensure the Carnegie’s positive influence on the community could continue for years to come.
“For me, it wasn’t about the recognition; it was about giving back to a place that means so much to the community. Even small contributions can have a significant impact on a performing arts venue. These historic Pittsburgh institutions are vital to their communities, offering enriching experiences for everyone.
”Many thanks to Monica & Brandon Beale and all of our donors who have named spaces, shelves, seats, and more throughout our historic building. We are so grateful for you.
INSPIRED BY THE BEALES’ GENEROSITY? You can make a similar contribution to the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall by contacting Marlee Gallagher, Executive Director, at 412.276.3456 x8 or gallagherm@CarnegieCarnegie.org.
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
LIBRARY
MUSIC HALL
CIVIL WAR & ESPY POST
4,786 (nearly 200 full days!) Hours of Public PC Use
61,635 Physical Items Checked Out 27,953 Electronic Items Circulated (E-Books, E-Magazines & Digital Audiobooks)
$4,300 Raised at the Symposium to Support Artifact Restoration & Programming
The following gifts were received between October 1, 2024-February 28, 2025. Thank you to all of our donors who support the Carnegie Carnegie and truly make our work possible. We are so grateful for you!
Please note: If any of the information presented here is incorrect or if your information is missing for the time period listed above, please contact Marlee Gallagher, Executive Director, at gallagherm@CarnegieCarnegie.org or call
Organizations, Corporations & Foundations
9th PA Reserves
Ampco-Pittsburgh Charitable Foundation
Dollar Bank Foundation
Earl Knudsen Foundation
Howard Q. Milar Charitable Trust
Jack Buncher Foundation
Massey Charitable Trust
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Standard Clay Company
Thomas Jefferson High School
Verizon
Williams Individuals
M. Craig Allen
Lori Anderson
Catherine & Edward Angle
Necolle Baldt
William & Nancy Barnard
Nancy Barsotti
Donna Bartko & Bill Gossman
Lorraine & James Berner
Vashishta & Mary Bhaskar
Joe & Jane Blattner
Phil & Cheryl Boyd
Robert Bragdon
Herbert & Carol Brant
Vicky & Mark Brilmyer
William & Denise Brown
David & Kimberly Brown
Marsha & William Burnett
Julie Busony
Bruce & Karen Buzza
Sherry Campbell
R. Yvonne Campos
Debra & Jesse Carse
Mary Lou Christie
Mary Anne Ciotti
Mel & Kim Cook
David & Joyce Corkery
David Costantino
Shelley Crannell
Thomas Cully
Carol Cusick & Patrick Riley
Claire DeMarco
Michallynn Demiter
Robin Dern
Linda Dimsho
Tom & Elizabeth DiPietro
Vincent & Elizabeth Dlugos
Maureen Dowd
Ronald Dreshman
Charles & Denise Edeburn
Edward & Barbara Enrietti
John Farkas
Robert Firth
Joanna & Michael Flanagan
Margaret Forbes*
Ted & Eileen Ford
Thomas & Susan Ford
Michael & Mary Kay Fording
John & Michelle Frego
Robert & Ann Fronduti
Cameron & Christine Frund
Dina Fulmer
Arthur Gaetjens
Tom & Terri Galante
Marlee Gallagher & Gregory Sciulli*
Debra & Barry Gallagher
Jonathan Glance
Lee & Sandy Golomb
Susan Gorman
Robert Greek
Mark Greek
Christopher & Kathleen Green
Vincent & Mary Grogan
Gary & Kathleen Handerhan
Daniel & Andrea Harkins
Hillary Harlan
Jeffrey Harris
Michael Hatcher & Holly Hampe
James & Georgienne Hein
Bob Hernandez & Karen Blumen
Frederick & Mary Hoerster
Barbara & Charles Holmes
Robert Holt
Georgie Homa
Richard Horn
Kathleen Hrabovsky
Janet Hull
John Iaconis
Mark & Della Iacono
Stuart & Laura Irwin
Kanak Iyer
Alan James
Lonnie Jantsch
Deborah & Ralph Jedd
Marguerita Johnson
Ricky & Patricia Jordan
Dennis & Karen Joyce
Dan Kennedy
Gerrie Ketler
Erin & Thomas King
John & Jeane Kish
Patricia Klug
William Knepper
Janet & Bill Koehler
Carolee Krasneski
Anita Lalumere
Jeffrey Leech
Phyllis-Lynne Leithauser
Linda Liotus & John Dillon
Eileen Loeffler
Carissa Lucyk
Lynn Maguire
Georgia Manby
Joan Massella
Heidi & David Matthews
Donna McCarthy
Richard McCartney
Charles McConaghy
Rose McConville
Lonnie McDanel & Brenda Petrilena
Carol & Eugene McGrevin
Daniel McGrogan & Jo Ann Haller
Diane McKee
Tom & Margaret Medwig
Beth Meyer
Monica Meyer & Brandon Beale
Lora Michigan
Janet Misko
Audrey Moeller
Edward & Deborah Moretti
James & Mary Nagorski*
Kerry & Connie Ozer
Arthur Pang
Carol Pfaff
John Pitrone
Sara Planz*
George Popichak
Martin & Deborah Powell
Patricia Ratych
David & Denise Raves
Colleen Redshaw
Bonnie Lee Reinhart
John Reynolds
Andrew & Terri Roman
Robert & Gloria Roman
Donald & Karen Roman
R. Douglas Rumbarger
Steven Ruperto
Monica Rura
Margaret Rutkauskas
Carl & Roni Schiffman
Gregory Schmotzer
Lawrence & Barb Schnurr
Vanessa Sebetich
David Seward & Dennis P. O’Donovan*
Mark Smith & Kyle Tomer
Barbara Sodini
James & Judy Stalder
Janice States
Marcia Swanson
Leonard & Loretta Szafranski
Stella Szafranski
Steve & Betsy Tassaro
Alice Tavoletti
Vonnie Teagarden
Audrey Theis
Jane Thompson
Suzanne Trbovich
Karlee Turkaly
James Turnbull
Robert Umstead & Marcia
Mastrangelo
Samantha Varela*
James & Mary Beth Veri
Megan Way
William Wegener
Brenda & Jerome Wells
Michael & Beth Wheat*
Mary Wyse
Lynn Yarmeak
G. Alan & Jo Ellen Yeasted
Adrienne Young
Janice Zahurak
Arthur Ziegler Jr.
Memorial & Honor Gifts
In Honor of Corey & Kevin
Brenda Sczechowicz
In Memory of Bill & Julie Cook
Margaret Walker
In Honor of Maggie Forbes
Donald Davis
In Honor of Marlee Gallagher
Karlee Turkaly
In Memory of Stan and Rose Giarrusso
Janine Giarrusso
In Memory of Charlie Goetz
Claire Goetz
In Honor of Michael Hatcher
David Burstin
In Memory of John Heiner
Judith Bell
Nicholas Feeney
Margaret Forbes
Robert & Ann Fronduti
Christopher & Kathleen Green
Marilyn Jenkins
Jennifer Jenkins
Stephen Lacy
Richard Lerach
John & Martha Martin
Mary Beth McGaffin
Lynn Pascoe
In Honor of Dan Kennedy
SofterWare, Inc.
In Memory of John “Jack” Robert Luke
Annette & Ronald Stewart
In Honor of Joan Massella
James & Lori Collins
Debra & John Thompson
In Memory of Marlene McIntyre
Brenda Gerson
Kara Goodall
Michael Lanuka
Maggie LaSelle
Marne Massella
Kim Metzger
Margaret Rutkauskas
In Memory of Louis Morelli
Joanne Kuczinski
In Memory of James “Bear” O’Connell
Paul Basil
In Memory of Robert O’Toole
Susan O’Toole
In Honor of Connie & Kerry Ozer
Bonnie Anderson
In Memory of Elizabeth Shipley
Carolyn & Leon Koszarsky
In Memory of Michael J. Woodring
Stella Szafranski
In Memory of Carole Jean Woods-Lynch
Courtney Lynch Crawford
In Memory of Ann Zbezinski
Efthalia & Lynn Barker
Frank & Denise Guarnaccio
Marian Natali
Book Memorials & Honors
Don & Dottie Campbell by Eleanor Brickley
Jane Cerilli by Matthew Stevenson & Heather Kistler
Sherry Finnerty by the Steenson Family
John Heiner by Gary & Jan Wire, Linda Hippert, and Gary & Charlene Stanich
John Kunz by the Brickley Family
Scott Skirpan, Jeff Skirpan, Jean Skirpan by Sharon Skirpan
Ann Zbezinski by the Stone Family and Carol Kuhnhein
A BIG thank you to all who contributed during our 2024 annual appeal. With your help, we raised more than $100,000 – far surpassing our year-end goal!
These funds directly support our mission and will go a long way in advancing our efforts to provide essential resources, educational and cultural oppotunities, and unique experiences to our neighbors in Carnegie and beyond.
Community support is everything. Thank you for partnering with us on this important work!
*Denotes monthly donor
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