Andrew Carnegie Free Library

The Andrew Carnegie Free Library is an institution which includes a Free Public Library, 788-seat Music Hall, 140-seat Lecture Hall, Civil War Museum(Espy Post, G.A.R.), Discount Book Store, small in-town public park, and a dance studio(former gymnasium leased to the Carnegie Performing Arts Center - non-profit dance and drama school; dance studio located on the Lower Level of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library building). Andrew Carnegie granted $200,000 for the construction of a Library in Carnegie, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1898. The institution was legally formed on April 20. 1899, when Andrew Carnegie executed a Declaration of Trust agreement, which is enforced by the Allegheny County Orphan's Court. The Library By-Laws were first established on April 9, 1900, and they were significantly amended during the Special Meetings of July 5, 1995 and September 18, 1995; the By-Law changes were approved at the September meeting as part of the settlement of a legal action brought against the Life Trustees of the Library by the Borough of Carnegie. Other amendments were adopted on March 17, 1997 and on January 5, 1998. The Andrew Carnegie Free Library opened to the public on May 1, 1901. The first performance in the Music Hall, by the Carnegie Men's Glee Club, occurred on May 10, 1901. Andrew Carnegie dedicated the institution on April 22, 1902.(See also History of Library and Music Hall).

The Declaration of Trust agreement arranged for the institution and property to be held in-trust for the people of Carnegie, Pennsylvania and managed by a seventeen-member Board of Trustees. Ten of these Board members were designated
"Life Trustees," and the "Life Board" is self-perpetuating. The other seven Board members are "Ex-Officio Trustees" and consist of the Mayor and six Councilmen of the Borough of Carnegie. Unlike the Ex-Officio Trustees on many Boards, the Ex-Officio Trustees on the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Board of Trustees were given full management responsibilities regarding the Trust, by Andrew Carnegie, and they have a vote on all Board matters.

Funding for the Andrew Carnegie Free Library is provided by:

* The Borough of Carnegie, through an annual appropriation of the Borough Council;

* The Allegheny Regional Asset District, from the one percent sales and use tax levied in Allegheny County;

* The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through an annual appropriation from Commonwealth Libraries;

* AND the generous donations given by individuals, non-profit organizations, and businesses,
in Carnegie and the Chartiers Valley.

Meetings of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Board of Trustees

Annual Meeting in March of each year -
Third Tuesday of March, 7:00 p.m. Prevailing Time(19:00 Eastern Time)
Monthly Meetings -
Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Prevailing Time(19:00 Eastern Time)
Location - Andrew Carnegie Free Library
All meetings of the Board of Trustees(except Executive Sessions) are open to the public.
Previously included at the end of the meeting agenda, a public comment period is now included at the beginning of the meeting agenda, per the December 14, 1998 implementation of an amendment to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

Library Board Resolutions

Board of Trustees

Officers