I quit my job last week.
I’ve worked as a page, and then as a clerk, and then finally as a librarian for the Children’s Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. For seven years. And then I had to say good-bye.
I was planning to write this amazing “behind the scenes” tour of the library, including the secret tunnels and overlooked doors that only we librarians know about, but instead, I decided to take a series of photos showing how gorgeous the building is. Seriously, I love it. It’s the kind of library I’ve always wanted to work for.
These first two are architectural details of the front door.
This next one is of the lantern in the front foyer, just before you enter the lobby. There are four tiny lion’s heads on it, but I don’t know if you can tell from this image.
I especially love the grand stairwells, even though I hardly used them – it’s much faster to take the staff elevators. You can’t see it, but the steps of the marble staircase are gently scooped after so many feet going up and down.
After going through the lobby, you turn down towards the Children’s Department . . .
Here is the main fiction room. Brian and Eleanor are experimenting with this “My Storyteller” thing that some CMU students built.
And here’s the picture book area. Everybody loves to see Mary Anne (from Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel).
Lastly, here is a section of the beautiful “Storyteller” mural we have in the Non-Fiction room. I used to be in charge of shelf-reading that room, so I’ve always had a bit of affection for it.
Casa Camisas 