Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale

What Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale does

Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is a single-location public library in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, operating continuously since February 4, 1918 as one of 19 Carnegie libraries built in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The institution serves residents of Swissvale and Rankin, with free library cards available to all Allegheny County residents, and provides physical and digital lending of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and games alongside community programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors.

The library is operated as a department of the Woodland Hills School District and is integrated into a county-wide consortium of 70+ libraries through the Allegheny County Library Association and the Cooperative Allegheny Libraries Support (CALS) network. Technology infrastructure consists of standard, third-party platforms including the Bibliocommons shared catalog, Libby and Hoopla for digital media lending, a county-branded mobile app on iOS and Android, and the statewide PA Power Library 24/7 virtual reference service. Supporting services include public computing, printing, free tax forms, genealogy databases, career assistance through PA CareerLink, museum passes via Experience Kits, and an Artist-in-Residence program with Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media.

The library's revenue model is public funding rather than commercial: it is sustained by Woodland Hills School District allocations, state and county grants (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny Regional Asset District, Federal Treasury/Broadband Development Authority), and charitable donations channeled through the Friends of the Library 501(c)(3). Pricing to patrons is freemium — library cards, programs, and digital access are free, while nominal voluntary donations are suggested for printing (10¢ per black-and-white sheet, 25¢ per color sheet) and earbuds are sold at $2.00. No fines are charged. A multi-phase renovation is underway with $4.2M of a $5.9M goal secured; Phase 1 exterior work completed June 2026, with Phase 2 (elevator, accessible restrooms, HVAC) planned to begin September 2026.

Name

Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale

Legal name

Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale

Website

https://swissvalelibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is a public library operated by the Woodland Hills School District, serving Swissvale and Rankin residents since 1918 with free physical and digital lending, community programs, and public computing through the Allegheny County library consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital media lending
• Library card services
• Youth literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Swissvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Operated as a department of the Woodland Hills School District with state and local public funding.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Accepts charitable donations for general operations and specific campaigns like the renovation fund. Memorial donations and special campaign fundraising throughout the year including Give Big Pittsburgh and Giving Tuesday.
3. Print and Service Fees: Voluntary donations requested for printing services (suggested 10¢ per b&w sheet, 25¢ per color sheet). Earbuds sold for $2.00. Revenue supports the elevator fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is a public library that provides free library cards to Allegheny County residents and lends physical media (books, audiobooks, DVDs) and digital media (eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music) through the Bibliocommons catalog and Libby/Hoopla platforms. It also offers public computer and WiFi access, printing services, community programs for children, teens, and adults, genealogy resources, and museum passes through Experience Kits.

Product overview

Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is a single-location public library offering a unified mix of physical and digital lending services. The core offering centers on library card services providing access to physical media (books, audiobooks, DVDs, experience kits) and digital resources through Libby and Hoopla platforms. Supporting services include computer access, printing, tax forms, meeting room rental, and community programs for kids, teens, and adults. The library also provides specialized resources including genealogy databases, career assistance, and museum admission passes through Experience Kits. All services are provided as part of a single public library operation under the Woodland Hills School District.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card Services Free library cards for Allegheny County residents and Access PA cardholders, enabling borrowing of physical and digital materials, computer use, and access to online resources.
• Physical Media Lending Traditional library lending of books, audiobooks, DVDs, games, and experience kits with loan periods of 1-3 weeks. Available to all library cardholders.
• Digital Media Lending Digital lending platform providing access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, movies, TV shows, comics, and music through the Libby and Hoopla applications.
• Computer Services Public computer access with five computers available for one-hour sessions, free WiFi, and Computer Tutor assistance on Thursdays for patrons needing technology help.
• Print Services Black and white printing, color printing, copying, and faxing services with suggested donations (10¢ per b&w sheet, 25¢ per color sheet) to the elevator fund.
• Experience Kits Free museum admission passes for two adults and six children to regional historical sites and museums (Heinz History Center and affiliates), available for weekly checkout.
• Kids & Teens Programs Ongoing youth programming including Drop-In Crafts, Reading Ready Pittsburgh, Baby & Toddler Storytimes, Homework Help, Studio Saturday, and summer reading programs.
• Adult Programs & Book Clubs Four monthly book discussion groups (Crime & Puzzlement, The Usual Suspects, Page Turners, Random Readers), plus Computer Tutor and PA CareerLink career assistance services.
• Genealogy Resources In-library access to Ancestry.com, Family Search, Find a Grave, and Roots.com for genealogical and local history research, plus the Swissvale Yearbooks Archive (1950-1986 digitized).
• Online Research Databases Curated databases including AP Images, Auto Repair Source, BBC Earth, Black Freedom Primary Resources, BookFlix, EBSCO eBooks (16,000+ titles), and other specialized research tools.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woodland Hills School DistrictcoreOthersThe library is owned and operated by the Woodland Hills School District. The school district provides oversight, facilities management, and administrative support. Key contacts include Board President Karen Lyons, Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Eddie Willson, Facilities Manager Dan Bridge, and Business Manager Jill Regan.
• Cooperative Allegheny Libraries Support (CALS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCALS is a department within Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh dedicated to strengthening libraries across Allegheny County. Provides shared services including Collection Support, Materials Movement, Technical Services, Facilities support, Fund Development assistance, Human Resources consulting, and Shared Digital Platforms.
• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACLA is a consortium of 70+ member libraries in Allegheny County. Provides county-wide resources, shared catalog (Bibliocommons), digital platforms (Libby), and collaborative programming.
• Heinz History Center Affiliates ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free museum admission through Experience Kits. Covers Heinz History Center, Captain William Vicary Mansion, Bushy Run Battlefield, Historic Fort Steuben, Harmony Museum, and other regional historical sites.
• PA NavigateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree state website managed by Health Information Exchanges that helps identify free or low-cost community services for housing, food insecurity, unemployment, transportation, utilities, medical affordability, and childcare.
• PA Power LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide virtual reference service providing 24/7 chat with librarians, email reference, and text-a-librarian services connecting to libraries throughout Pennsylvania.
• Libby/Hoopla (OverDrive/ Midwest Tape)coreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platforms providing ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and comics available through library cards. Libby is the primary reading app; Hoopla provides streaming and download content.
• L+K ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm leading the library renovation design work with specific knowledge of historic libraries. Contacts: Peter Kreuthmeier and Jennifer McCarthy-Lovell.
• Shannon ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Phase 1 exterior renovation work including roof replacement, parapet repair, and exterior repairs.
• STONEMILE GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management for renovation project. Contacts: Greg Kittridge and Steve Riffe.
• Friends of the LibraryminorGTM or Marketing Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting library resources and services through fundraising and volunteering. Hosts bake sales and other fundraising events supporting collections and children's programming.
• Swissvale Dari DeliteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner involved in community initiatives. Partners on summer reading rewards program offering free ice cream coupons for reading activities.
• Swissvale Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal economic development organization. The library participates in SEDCO's annual business district surveys to gather community input.
• Pittsburgh Center for Arts and MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting Artist-in-Residence Katy DeMent through Arts in Education Partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Homestead Carnegie Library: Another Carnegie-built public library in Allegheny County and an ACLA member. Comparable to Swissvale as a Carnegie heritage institution serving a small Pittsburgh-area community.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: The flagship Carnegie library system in Pittsburgh, also part of the Carnegie legacy and the ACLA network. Operates multiple branches and hosts CALS, the consortium that supports Swissvale. Directly comparable as a Carnegie heritage library serving Allegheny County residents.
• Mt. Lebanon Public Library: A Carnegie-funded public library in Allegheny County, also a member of ACLA. Comparable in size and mission as a single-location community public library in the same metro serving a similar suburban population.
• Wilkinsburg Public Library: Adjacent Allegheny County public library, also ACLA-affiliated, serving a similar inner-suburban community near Pittsburgh. Directly comparable in scale, patron demographics, and service mix.
• Cooper-Siegel Community Library: ACLA-member public library serving a nearby Allegheny County community. Comparable as a small-to-mid-sized suburban public library with similar programming and digital lending model.
• Braddock Carnegie Library: One of the 19 original Carnegie libraries in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, also operated as a public community library. Highly comparable as a Carnegie heritage peer of similar small-community scale.
• Pleasant Hills Public Library: ACLA-affiliated community library in Allegheny County. Comparable in scale, funding structure, and service mix to Swissvale as a small suburban public library.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@swissvalelibrary620/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/swissvalelibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/swissvalelibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carnegie-free-library-of-swissvale

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale