Read all about the cool things the library is doing in the community!
By Stephanie Hacke / South Hills Record / Thursday, September 5, 2018
Early next spring, a decades-long dream will come to fruition when the Baldwin Borough Public Library opens doors to a shiny new space all its own.
Its new home inside the former Leland Community Community will be far different from the leased space the library has operated from since the 1980s inside the Baldwin-Whitehall School District-owned Wallace Building.
There will be expanded mobile computer stations and flexible meeting spaces for library programs and outside organizations, said library board President Kelly Mossbauer. In all, the library’s space will expand by 2,100-square-feet. Read More…
By Suzanne Elliott / South Hills Record / Friday, June 14, 2018
The Baldwin Borough Library will host a Great American Read Party at 6:30 p.m. June 27.
The Great American Read is a program sponsored by PBS and explores and celebrates reading through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels.
The Baldwin Library has partnered with WQED for the event, which will include viewing part of the PBS television series. The free event will also include prizes, light refreshments and discussions centered around the books on the list.
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Friday, May 25, 2018
Baldwin Borough Public Library kicked off its renovation project at its Leland Center facility with a celebratory groundbreaking on June 8.
The $2.2 million project is expected to open to patrons in early 2019. Leaders have received grants from the state, Allegheny County and the borough. Library leaders seek to raise an additional $1.2 million for other related renovation expenses and non-construction items. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Friday, May 25, 2018
Baldwin Borough Public Library received a $600,000 loan and has secured $1.3 million from fundraising efforts to transform the Leland Center on Wolfe Drive into its new home.
Ground breaking on the $2.1 million renovation project is scheduled for June 8 and will include Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, local legislators and Glenn Miller, Pennsylvania’s deputy secretary of education, at the 10 a.m. ceremony.
“Right now we have more than $2 million in requests pending before donor prospects, including state grants and other private sources and additional requests will be made during the coming months,” library director Jenny Worley said in an email. “We are launching our public phase of the campaign in a few weeks to coincide with our groundbreaking, where all residents and businesses will be given the opportunity to participate in the campaign, including a “buy a brick” program.” Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Friday, October 27, 2017
Baldwin Borough Council approved a lease agreement that transfers Leland Community Center to the library.
The center will be the new home of the Baldwin Borough Public Library.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Jenny Worley, library director, when asked about council’s action.
John Barrett, borough manager, said the lease is for $1 and is for 25 years, with the option to renew for three additional 25-year terms.
The borough, in turn, will use the first floor of the building for its public works department, which is located in Leland Center.
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Baldwin Borough Public Library has been awarded a $100,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.
The grant will be used to help offset renovation costs at the Leland Center building, which will be the library’s new home.
Library director Jenny Worley called the grant an “incredible boost” to the project. The library has already been awarded a $500,000 Keystone grant from the state Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Friday, July 27, 2017
Baldwin Borough Library officials are starting to get the word out about the new library project and how the community can help make the facility a centerpiece in the borough.
Library Director Jenny Worley gave council members an update on the project, which will turn the Leland Community Center into a library.
Worley said the architect, GBBN Inc., is working with the Baldwin zoning and planning commission to make sure designs meet borough requirements. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Monday, May , 2017
The Brentwood, Baldwin and Whitehall libraries are joining forces to celebrate the diverse cultures in the South Hills communities.
With the help of a grant from the Jefferson Regional Foundation, organizers will hold a free program to highlight the various cultures in the neighborhoods.
“We’re All Neighbors: A Multicultural Community Celebration is scheduled for May 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Brentwood Public Library.
The cultural festival is free and open to the public and will include entertainment, music, food, games and raffle prizes. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Monday, March 20 , 2017
Dreams of having a new public library in Baldwin Borough have turned into reality.
Officials have announced the borough has been selected to receive $500,000 toward renovating the Leland Community Center to provide the space needed for the library.
Council members have budgeted $300,000 toward the project, which was contingent on the library receiving a grant from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Tuesday, December 27 , 2016
he holiday art show at Baldwin Borough Public Library showcased the works of elementary school students and celebrated the life of children’s author Ezra Jack Keats.
A $500 grant from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation enabled the Baldwin library to hold a number of programs related to Keats, including the art show. Library youth services coordinator Dolores Colarosa was one of 63 educators from across the country to receive the grant.Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record / Monday, October 3 , 2016
For almost 30 years, Baldwin Borough Public Library has shared space and parking with other tenants in the former Wallace School building.
The library started in one classroom and now occupies three rooms. But with other tenants in the building and no more space to expand, library officials have been searching for a larger facility. That search soon could be over. Read More…
By Jim Spezialetti/ South Hills Record /September 20 , 2016
Baldwin Borough council members on Tuesday gave their support to a new public library facility at the shuttered Leland Center if Baldwin Borough Public Library officials are able to secure a $500,000 state grant.
Library officials are seeking a grant from the State Library of Pennsylvania’s Keystone grant program. If the state approves the application, borough officials agreed to contribute a matching grant of $300,000. Read More…
By Krystia Nora/ Kidsburgh / Thursday, February 1, 2015
As the home of Fred Rogers and his timeless Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood television series, Pittsburgh has long been devoted to the education of its youngest citizens. And let’s face it. As parents, we can use all the help we can get. The familiar African proverb says, “it takes a village to raise a child” and we couldn’t agree more.
Luckily, Pittsburgh is home to many men and women who care deeply about educating our kids–even before they head off to elementary school for the first time. These inspired individuals touch our lives everyday through their hard work at museums, libraries and community centers throughout the city. Read more...
By Donna S. Dreeland/ South Hills Record / Thursday, January 1, 2015
Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary experience.
If Dolores Colarosa’s Good Reads, Good Deeds Book Club catches on, the entire community will benefit.
Colarosa, children’s librarian at Baldwin Borough Public Library, developed a program for children, grades 3 through 6, and their caregivers. Each month through April, after reading a pre-selected book, the group will gather at the library to discuss the book and plan how to carry the lessons learned into the community. Read More…
By Stephanie Hacke / South Hills Record / Wednesday, June 25, 2014
The Baldwin Borough Public Library has Friends — more than a dozen of them. And it’s seeking more.
The Friends of Baldwin Borough Public Library formed during the second half of 2013 with a goal of providing added support to the library. Read More…..
By Stephanie Hacke / South Hills Record / Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The front doors of the old Wallace School building opened and a little girl burst inside — running as fast as she could ahead of mom and dad.
“Wait, wait, wait,” her mom called out. “Are you so, so excited?”
“Yes!” she yelled back as she ran toward the old classroom door.
Children rushed to get inside the Baldwin Borough Public Library program room, located to the rear of the old Wallace School, last Friday morning around 10:30. Read more….
By Stephanie Hacke / South Hills Record / Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Jenny Worley envisions the Baldwin Borough Public Library as someday being the prime destination for people looking for something to do in the area.
Coffee or tea will be offered to those looking to simply hang out, and new programs will be offered to entice people to come inside. Read more….