Library · Pittsburgh
Libraries in Pittsburgh
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh serves Pittsburgh’s 392,273 residents from 19 locations. Last year it logged 1,683,666 visits, about 4.3 for every resident, and lent 3.8M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15213
62 hrsopen a week
148,845sq ft
1.4Mbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#79
#79 of 440 PA libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Pennsylvania that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.7M
visits
4.3 per resident
3.8M
loans, print + digital
9.6 per resident
5,595
programs & events
78K attended
214K
library cards
54% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 100,000+ people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
4.3 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
6.2 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.4 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Cardholders
54% of residents
Higher than 73% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
3.8M loans last year
Books & media (adults)41%Kids’ books & media24%E-books, audio & streaming35%
Who the programs are for
5,595 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$107 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $42M.
Local 69%State 17%Gifts & other 14%
Locations
Other libraries in Pittsburgh
And 6 more in Pittsburgh.
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.