March 29, 2024 Kindergarten Readiness Events Planned for Northside Families in April Hi5! and Pittsburgh Public Schools will host kindergarten readiness events for northside families in April. Attendees will learn about kindergarten readiness, transition, and enrollment. Session Details The first event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, located at 1230 Federal Street in Pittsburgh. Those interested in attending can register now. A second event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 20 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, located at 1201 Woods Run Avenue in Pittsburgh. Those interested in attending can register now. Both events are free. The first 20 families to register for each event will receive a free kindergarten giveaway bag. When a child reaches five years of age, it is time to enroll them in kindergarten. Details about kindergarten registration information for the 2024-25 school year in Allegheny County are now available. Hi5! Kindergarten transition efforts are led in partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3), Trying Together, and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information visit Trying Together’s Kindergarten Transition page.
March 25, 2024 Carnegie Library Hours Expansion Increases Accessibility The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has begun a major hours expansion, adding 93 more service hours weekly across its system. The increase began March 10 and is one of the largest in the library’s history. It will improve access and engagement for families, working adults, students, and patrons with busy schedules. Extended Hours The library extended its evening hours, with most branches remaining open until 8 p.m. at least three nights weekly. Five branches – Allegheny, Brookline, East Liberty, Main in Oakland, and Squirrel Hill – will be open until 8 p.m. four evenings weekly. Hours for Downtown, Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP), and the Allegheny County Law Library have not changed. “It’s our responsibility to listen and respond to our community by providing core services that are needed and accessible to residents,” said Andrew Medlar, President and Director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in a news release. “Thanks to increased annual funding from the Regional Asset District, we can provide patrons with even greater access to lots of books, unique programming, dynamic spaces, and services provided by our amazing staff.” The expanded hours are a response to thousands of community members who contributed ideas during a year-long strategic planning process. The 2024-2028 strategic plan focuses on community connections and responsive services as well as regional cooperation, and organizational excellence. A full schedule can be found on the library’s website.
October 9, 2023 Upcoming Enrollment Application Assistance for Families The Homewood Early Learning Steering Committee (HELSC) and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) – Homewood invite families to participate in a week-long enrollment application assistance event. Families looking for assistance with completing online applications for open enrollment to early learning centers, schools, and neighboring educational programs can visit either of two locations from Monday, November 6 through Friday, November 10. The event will be held at the Hub & Family Center (7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15208) and CLP-Homewood (7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15208), during normal hours of operation. Registration is not necessary to participate. Walk-ins are welcomed. REGISTER Note: All Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations offer drop in computer and scanning assistance during regular operating hours. Customers can also Book a Librarian for more 1-on-1 support. More Information and Questions For any questions or more information, please contact Toni Beasley, Director of The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center at toni@tryingtogether.org and/or Mary Phillips, Children’s Librarian CLP-Homewood at phillipsm3@carnegielibrary.org.
August 7, 2023 Imagination Library Restarted by Foundations, City of Pittsburgh Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book access program, is restarting in the City of Pittsburgh thanks to funding from the City and local foundations, including The Benter Foundation and the Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation. The free program sends one book per month in the mail to enrolled children ages birth to five at no cost to families. How to Enroll Families who reside in the City of Pittsburgh can enroll in the program by visiting the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website. Families who were previously enrolled in the program will not need to re-enroll and should start receiving books again automatically. About the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Restart The program halted at the end of April 2023 for most city children after funding had run out. (A small group of children in three zip codes were still eligible to participate.) Reading Ready Pittsburgh, a local nonprofit that supports access to books and encourages family engagement through reading, will administer the program at the beginning of the restart period. Related Content & Resources Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza 2023 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Hill District Conducting Survey on Parent Engagement in Child Literacy Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List 2023 Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip LDA of PA Offering Free Reading Tutoring to Children in Hill District Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success
July 21, 2023 Vision to Learn Mobile Optometrist Visits for Children Vision to Learn’s Mobile Clinic will be visiting the Hill District Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on Wednesday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide free eye exams to children and teens ages four – 18 with parent/guardian permission. Appointments will take 15-20 minutes and must be scheduled with the branch in advance of the clinic. Where: Hill District Branch – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2177 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 To make an appointment, contact 412.281.3753. .
Vision to Learn Mobile Optometrist Visits for Children Vision to Learn’s Mobile Clinic will be visiting the Woods Run Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, August 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide free eye exams to children and teens ages four – 18 with parent/guardian permission. Appointments will take 15-20 minutes and must be scheduled with the branch in advance of the clinic. Where: Woods Run Branch – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 1201 Woods Run Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212 To make an appointment, contact 412.761.3730.
July 5, 2023 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Summer reading season is here! This is a great time for young readers to explore new words and books with their parent, caregiver, and other loved ones in different settings. Summer reading for early learners can look like acting out scenes from a picture book in the park with your child, or visiting a local library or family center for a story time. There are plenty of local and national summer reading programs, resources, and activities to allow early readers the opportunity to expand their vocabulary with their parent or caregiver. Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh For the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), summer reading is all about the celebration of self expression. Sign-up for Find Your Voice! summer reading through August 6 at any CLP branch or in the library app. On Sunday, August 13, CLP – Main in Oakland will host its end-of-summer Extravaganza!, a family-friendly outdoor festival features music, crafts, games, prizes, storytelling, and food trucks. Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, PA’s Promise for Children Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on their virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and early childhood education professionals can follow along with OCDEL as they travel to various Pennsylvania libraries and state parks while providing fun resources, activities, and book recommendations to support early literacy and language. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done anywhere. Summer Reading Field Trips, Reading is Fundamental Reading is Fundamental (RIF) has provided various reading logs, coloring sheets, and summer-themed book recommendations to keep learning fun and fresh. Parents and caregivers that take the RIF summer reading pledge will receive a copy of the book, A Sofia Special, one of the books featured in RIF’s summer collection. Summer Reading Camp, Half-Priced Books Young readers can join Summer Reading Camp by visiting a local Half Price Books through July 31 to pick up interactive reading logs, sticker sheets and more, while supplies last. Families that register for the camp will have access to reading recommendations, crafts, and other literacy activities. Scholastic Summer Reading Program, Scholastic The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers children an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer. Through Thursday, September 7, children can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7. Bookworm Wednesdays, Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays entitles children to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office. Accompanying parents or caregivers and children younger than age six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. More Programs Check out other summer reading programs from Mille’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut. Alternatively, parents and caregivers can also visit their local library, family center, or community resource space to learn more about local summer reading programs.
June 28, 2023 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza 2023 Find your voice and make it heard! Summer Reading 2023 is a celebration of self expression! Join Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main on Sunday, August 13 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza, a family-friendly outdoor festival for all ages. Grab some friends and head to the Library in Oakland for music, crafts, games, activities, storytelling, food trucks and so much more! While you’re there, don’t forget to guess the total number of books Pittsburghers read this summer—there will be multiple opportunities to win prizes throughout the day with the final number revealed and grand prize awarded at the end of the event. Enjoy activities and experiences presented by Library partners: Allegheny Land Trust Andy Warhol Museum Bike PGH Colour of Song Juliandra Jones – PBJ Customs Macedonia FACE Mike the Balloon Guy Moonshot Museum Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. (PCSI) Pittsburgh Opera Pittsburgh Public Schools Pittsburgh Science Workshop Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra UniSound UPMC Satisfy your cravings with food and sweet treats for purchase from: Billu’s Indian Grill Kona Ice Mandu Handu Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream Don’t miss performances by: Gab Bonesso O’Ryan the O’Mazing To learn more, visit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s website.
May 2, 2023 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) recently released its 2023 Best Books for Babies list. About the CLP Best Books for Babies List Created by a panel of local librarians and child development experts, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s annual Best Books for Babies list serves as a nationally recognized guide assisting parents, teachers, and caregivers in selecting quality materials to share with their babies. The list is meant to encourage parents and other caregivers to read to babies and to recognize the authors, illustrators, and publishers who create exemplary books for babies ages birth to 18 months. Typically a list of 10 books, the 2023 list features 16 titles, with several book sets included. Boasting books on babies, animals, nature, relationships, language, and sleep, the list offers topics for every early learner. Access the CLP Best Books for Babies List To access the list, visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh website.
March 20, 2023 Best Books for Babies Diaper Distribution-CLP Hill District Families with babies ages birth-18 months can attend and receive a two-week supply of diapers (sizes newborn – 4 available), as well as a Best Books for Babies book bundle at this event. While supplies last. No registration required. When: Saturday, April 29 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: CLP-Hill District, 2177 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15219 Drive-Thru Distribution Enter distribution line at intersection of Wylie Avenue and Kirkpatrick Street and stay in line to reach the distribution site in the lower parking lot of Central Baptist Church – located across Kirkpatrick Street from CLP – Hill District. Walk-Up Distribution Enter walk-up distribution line through CLP – Hill District’s main entrance on Centre Avenue and stay in line to reach the distribution site in the August Wilson room. Please reserve the Walk-Up Distribution for those without cars. To learn more, visit the Facebook event page.
