Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Pittsburgh offers exceptional library resources throughout the Steel City, from the historic Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main (1895) to the University of Pittsburgh's Hillman Library open until 2:00 AM. Whether you need Port Authority T light rail-accessible Oakland locations or university libraries serving two world-class research institutions, this complete guide covers Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's 19 branches, University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University.
✨ Pittsburgh Library Highlights:
- 🏛️ Carnegie Library Main: Historic 1895 building in Oakland, Beaux-Arts architecture
- 📚 19 CLP Branches: Founded by Andrew Carnegie himself!
- 🎓 Pitt Hillman Library: Open until 2:00 AM Sun-Thu (24/7 during finals!)
- 🏫 Carnegie Mellon Hunt: Premier STEM library, open until midnight
- 🚇 Port Authority T Access: Blue/Red Line to Oakland
- 💳 FREE Library Cards: For all Allegheny County residents
1. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main (Oakland) ⭐ Historic Gem
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main at 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland is a Pittsburgh landmark. Built in 1895 with funding from Andrew Carnegie, this beautiful Beaux-Arts building houses extensive collections and serves as the flagship of one of America's first public library systems.
✨ Carnegie Library Main Historic & Collection Features:
- Built 1895: Andrew Carnegie's first library building, Beaux-Arts architecture
- Historic Reading Rooms: Original wood paneling, high ceilings, natural light
- Pennsylvania Department: Extensive PA history, genealogy, maps
- Music & Art: Significant collections in both disciplines
- Oakland Location: Heart of Pittsburgh's university/museum district
- 600,000+ Items: Largest CLP branch
Carnegie Library Main (Oakland) Hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
🚇 How to Get There (Port Authority T & Bus):
Light Rail (T): Blue or Red Line to South Bank Station in Oakland
Walk: 2 blocks to 4400 Forbes Ave (5-minute walk)
Bus: Many routes serve Oakland - 71A/B/C/D, 61A/B/C/D, P1, P3
From Downtown: T or bus direct to Oakland (10 minutes)
Address: 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Parking: Limited street parking, nearby garages
2. Popular Carnegie Library Branches
📍 Squirrel Hill Branch
5801 Forbes Ave - East End neighborhood, very popular, large collection
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
📍 East Liberty Branch
130 S. Whitfield St - Revitalized neighborhood, modern facility
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
📍 South Side Branch
2205 E. Carson St - South Side neighborhood, community hub
| Monday-Thursday | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
📍 Lawrenceville Branch
279 Fisk St - Trendy Lawrenceville neighborhood
| Monday-Thursday | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
📝 Note: Branch hours may vary. Check Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for complete 19-branch directory and holiday closures.
3. University of Pittsburgh - Hillman Library ⭐ Best for Late-Night Study
University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library is Pittsburgh's late-night study champion, open until 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday during fall/spring terms (extended to 24/7 during finals weeks!). The modern 9-floor library serves 33,000+ Pitt students and welcomes public visitors.
✨ Hillman Library Late-Night Study Features:
- Open Until 2:00 AM: Sunday-Thursday during regular terms (latest in Pittsburgh!)
- 24/7 Finals Access: Building stays open continuously during final exam weeks
- 9 Floors: 6.7 million volumes across Pitt library system
- Quiet Study Floors: Upper floors = silent study only
- Study Rooms: 100+ group study rooms (reservable online)
- Oakland Location: Heart of campus, near Carnegie Library Main
Pitt Hillman Library Hours (Fall/Spring Terms):
| Day | Regular Hours | Finals Week |
|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
⚠️ Summer hours shorter. Check Pitt Library for current term schedule.
🚇 Getting to Pitt Campus (Oakland):
Port Authority T: Blue or Red Line to South Bank Station
Walk from T: 3-minute walk to Hillman Library
Bus: 71A/B/C/D, 61A/B/C/D, P1, P3 all serve Oakland
From Downtown: T or bus to Oakland (10 minutes)
Parking: Visitor parking in Oakland garages ($10-15/day)
Address: 3960 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
4. Carnegie Mellon University - Hunt Library
Carnegie Mellon Hunt Library on the CMU campus offers late hours until midnight and serves as one of the nation's premier STEM research libraries. Public visitors are welcome during regular hours.
📚 CMU Hunt Library Highlights:
- Premier STEM Library: Computer science, engineering, sciences focus
- Open Until Midnight: Sunday-Thursday (excellent late hours!)
- 5 Floors: 1.2 million volumes, extensive digital collections
- Special Collections: Robotics, AI, computer science archives
- Study Spaces: Quiet floors, collaborative areas, 60+ study rooms
- Public Access: Welcome during regular hours
CMU Hunt Library Hours (Fall/Spring Semesters):
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 7:30 AM - Midnight |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - Midnight |
⚠️ Summer/break hours shorter. Extended during finals.
🚌 Getting to CMU Campus:
Bus: 61A/B/C/D routes stop at CMU campus
From Oakland: 10-minute walk from Pitt/Carnegie Library Main
Parking: Visitor parking in East Campus Garage ($8/day)
Address: 4909 Frew St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
5. Pittsburgh Library Cards & Access
💳 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Card:
| Eligibility | Cost | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County Residents | FREE | Valid ID with Allegheny County address |
| Pennsylvania Residents (other counties) | FREE | Valid PA ID (reciprocal agreements!) |
| Non-Pennsylvania Residents | $50/year | Valid ID with current address |
Apply in person at any Carnegie Library branch - instant approval!
🎓 University Library Access:
| Library | Public Access | Borrowing Privileges |
|---|---|---|
| Pitt Hillman | Yes - open to public | $100/year community borrower card |
| CMU Hunt | Yes - open to public | $100/year community card |
6. Best Pittsburgh Libraries for Different Needs
🌙 Best for Late-Night Study:
Winner: Pitt Hillman Library
- Open until 2:00 AM Sun-Thu (latest in Pittsburgh!)
- 24/7 during finals weeks
- Quiet floors strictly enforced
- 100+ study rooms available
- T light rail access
🏛️ Best Historic Architecture:
Winner: Carnegie Library Main (Oakland)
- Built 1895 - Andrew Carnegie's first library!
- Beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture
- Original historic reading rooms
- Pittsburgh landmark
🔬 Best for STEM Research:
Winner: CMU Hunt Library
- Premier computer science & engineering collections
- Robotics & AI special collections
- Late midnight hours Sun-Thu
- World-class STEM resources
🚇 Best Transit Accessibility:
Winner: Carnegie Library Main (Oakland)
- 2 blocks from South Bank T station
- Many bus routes serve Oakland
- Heart of university/museum district
- Direct from downtown (T or bus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Carnegie Library Main close?
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main (Oakland) closes at 8:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 5:00 PM Friday-Saturday, and 5:00 PM Sunday. This is the longest hours of any CLP branch.
Can non-students use University of Pittsburgh library?
Yes! University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library welcomes public visitors. Non-Pitt visitors can access the library for research and studying, though borrowing books requires Pitt affiliation or a paid community borrower card ($100/year).
Which Pittsburgh library is open latest?
University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library has the latest hours, open until 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday during fall/spring terms (24/7 during finals weeks). Carnegie Mellon Hunt Library stays open until midnight. Among public libraries, Carnegie Library Main closes at 8:00 PM Mon-Thu.
Are Pittsburgh libraries open on Sunday?
Yes, Carnegie Library Main (Oakland) is open Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Pitt Hillman Library: Sunday 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM (during terms). CMU Hunt Library: Sunday 10:00 AM - midnight. Most smaller branches are closed Sundays.
How do I get a Pittsburgh library card?
Visit any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch with valid ID showing Allegheny County address. Cards are FREE for Allegheny County residents AND all Pennsylvania residents (reciprocal agreements!). Non-Pennsylvania residents can purchase a card for $50/year.
Does Pittsburgh have 24-hour libraries?
No Pittsburgh libraries are open 24/7 year-round, but University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library extends to 24-hour access during finals weeks (typically 2 weeks in December and May). During regular term, it closes at 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday.
How do I get to Carnegie Library Main by Port Authority?
Take Port Authority Blue or Red Line (T) to South Bank Station in Oakland, then walk 2 blocks to 4400 Forbes Ave. Many bus routes also serve Oakland (71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D). The library is in the heart of Oakland near Pitt campus.
Which Pittsburgh library is best for studying?
University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library is best for late-night studying (open until 2:00 AM, quiet floors, 24/7 during finals). For public libraries: Carnegie Library Main's upper floors offer beautiful quiet study spaces in the historic 1895 building. CMU Hunt Library provides excellent STEM study resources.
⚙️ Pittsburgh Library Insider Tips
🏛️ Andrew Carnegie's First Library
Carnegie Library Main (Oakland) was Andrew Carnegie's FIRST library building ever - 1895. He built 2,509 libraries worldwide, but Pittsburgh was where it all started. The original reading rooms still have his original chandeliers!
🎓 Pitt vs CMU Strategy
Hillman (Pitt) opens until 2AM but gets packed. CMU Hunt only goes to midnight BUT is significantly less crowded - especially for STEM study. Plus CMU has better robotics/CS archives. Know which to use!
🚇 The Oakland Triangle
Carnegie Main, Pitt Hillman, and CMU Hunt form a walkable triangle in Oakland. All three within 10 minutes of each other - you can library-hop all day without driving. South Bank T station is in the center!
📚 Pennsylvania Room Treasure
Carnegie Main's Pennsylvania Department has genealogy records back to the 1700s - including original steel industry worker records. If your ancestors worked in Pittsburgh mills, their records might be here. It's FREE!
❄️ Winter Study Hack
Pittsburgh winters are brutal. All three Oakland libraries connect to campus buildings via heated tunnels or covered walkways. You can spend an entire study day without going outside in January!
🍕 Primanti's Break
Carnegie Main is walking distance to the original Craig Street Primanti's. Study 3 hours, reward yourself with a Pittsburgh sandwich, study 3 more hours. This is the official Pittsburgh study method.
📖 Related Resources:
Explore Pittsburgh's world-class library system today! Whether you need Pitt Hillman's 2:00 AM late-night hours, the historic 1895 Carnegie Library Main (Andrew Carnegie's first library building!), CMU's premier STEM collections, or FREE library cards for all Pennsylvania residents, Pittsburgh offers exceptional library resources throughout the Steel City!