Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main (Oakland)

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland wears a heavy, limestone facade carved with the names of literary giants. Andrew Carnegie funded this building in eighteen ninety-five to provide the working people of Pittsburgh a place for self-improvement. The library opened with a gala where Carnegie himself handed out books to children. On opening night, the steam heating system failed, leaving the guests to shiver in their formal wear while they toured the stacks, yet the collection stayed open for the neighborhood.