1945 November 5
The Library celebrates its 50th anniversary with an open house attended by 3,000 people.
1943 September
The Knoxville Branch moves into “temporary” quarters after the Rochelle School building is sold; it stays for 22 years.
1942
The library’s Victory Book Campaign asks for donations of books for military libraries at home and abroad. Pittsburgh forwards more books to these libraries than any other city except New York.
1936 March 17
The St. Patrick’s Day Flood damages two branches: The Penn Avenue branch at 28th Street and Penn Avenue, and the West End branch.
1933
The Great Depression causes a drop in city funding for the library. Staff is cut from 285 to 232. To compensate for the loss of staff, hours are cut at branches, and deposit stations are closed.
1930
The Brookline and Carrick neighborhoods get storefront branches. Brookline will move two more times before getting its own building; Carrick will relocate to a former movie theater that provides plenty of space.
1928
Ralph Munn succeeds Dr. Leete as library Director. He will stay for 36 years and expand CLP’s services throughout Allegheny County.
1928
The Knoxville-Carrick Branch opens inside Rochelle School. The Board of Education provides space, utilities and cleaning services; the Library provides staff, books, furniture and equipment.
1924 June 2
The Business District Branch sets up shop in the City-County Building, combining specialized business knowledge and general neighborhood lending services.
1918 October 26-November 7
The library closes for two weeks due to the Influenza Epidemic.
