Five Allegheny County libraries have been awarded Keystone Grants to support significant library building improvements. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded, in total, twenty-seven libraries in fifteen counties with an estimated $11 million in Keystone grant funds to improve facilities.
2026 Allegheny County Keystone Grants Recipients
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Squirrel Hill: $400,000 to replace roof and HVAC.
The proposed work includes two boilers, one rooftop unit, and the building’s roof, as well as the requisite duct work. The existing boilers, each at least 20 years old, will be replaced with high-efficiency units. The rooftop unit will likewise be replaced with a high-efficiency unit. The roof will be fully replaced, including the main structure and the south and west additions. These improvements to the building will result in a comfortable, weather-tight and environmentally friendly library.
CC Mellor Memorial Library: $750,000 to restore roof and renovate interior space.
While architecturally striking, the library’s historic building is not conducive to the needs of modern-day library services. The existing clay tile roof has exceeded its life expectancy and requires frequent repair. Securing the roof will ensure the building is usable far into the future. The interior renovation will include expansion of the second floor, creation of “browsing neighborhoods” for the collection, enhanced safety features, modern lighting, new boiler system, new flooring, and family-style restrooms.
Mt. Lebanon Public Library: $747,390 to renovate upper level with accessible restrooms and spaces, improve lighting, flooring, entrances and HVAC.
This initial phase of renovations will focus on the upper level of the library. Renovations will include installation of ADA-compliant restrooms; improvements to the Children’s Library and Circulation Department; new flooring, lighting and HVAC; reorganization of staff offices; and expanded access to the outdoor courtyard space.
Penn Hills Library: $750,000 to renovate entrance area, upgrade HVAC and lighting, and add solar panels.
The project will include improvements to the children’s and teen spaces, increases in community room capacity, creation of additional meeting rooms, and addition of more flexible seating options to meet both current and growing needs. Upgrades to HVAC, windows, lighting and landscaping will lower energy consumption and ensure comfortable internal temperatures. Expanding the second-floor entry and new welcome area will encourage natural and accessible patron circulation throughout the building.
Sewickley Public Library: $750,000 to redesign and renovate first floor spaces.
The renovations will address the community’s need for increased meeting spaces and digital capacity and refresh interior public spaces that have not seen significant improvements since 1999. Upgrades will include improved seating and shelving. The updated floor plan will accommodate a variety of activities and encourage browsing the collection.
About the Keystone Grants
The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was established by an act of the General Assembly in 1993. The Department of Education, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program which is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax.
Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction.
A competitive grant application process is used to award matching facilities grants to municipalities that sponsor state-aided public libraries. To be eligible, the sponsoring municipality and the board of the state-aided library must jointly submit an application developed cooperatively by both entities and signed by their governing bodies. The Keystone grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match.