Road Map:: The Bridges (and Libraries) of Allegheny County, Part I

I have this thing about putting up library jumpies (pictures of me in front of libraries in mid-air) in the order they were taken, but I'm *so* far behind, you know? I'm starting to feel like the order just isn't important anymore.

So I'm currently on a trip to the Three Rivers so that Husband-san can defend his PhD proposal. This, of course, means I have time to rekindle old friendships, walk across bridges, and jump in front of libraries. Of course, ne?

One of my best friends took me to Mount Washington for a quick bite overlooking the city. Then I saw a woman with a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh bag, asked her where she got it, and the rest is predictable.

a) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Mount Washington
Pittsburgh, PA (04.25.09)

Ta-da! The last time I'd been to Mount Washington was two and a half years ago at night. People were dressed to the nines as there was a wedding nearby. One of these days I need to jump in my wedding dress... OMG that's brilliant!

SAPL 23 Things: Cosa Numero 10

Okay, this has been my favorite activity so far. My best gal is in Pittsburgh and I miss her terribly, so I felt the need to give her this gift. She's gonna love it!

Click here if you want to use this image generator. It's made of awesome.

Road Map:: Long tresses and libraries in April

I'm sick today so the creative juices aren't exactly flowing. This entry will be pretty basic and straightforward.

I recently got my hair cut so I could donate it to Locks of Love. I look at these last jumpy pictures of me rocking my hippie mane and can't help but get nostalgic, though the cut barely happened less than a week ago. Le *SIGH*.

Moving on... Here's some luscious libraries.

a) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Woods Run
Pittsburgh, PA (04.02.08)

A friend and I stuffed our faces at a nearby diner and I, of course, couldn't leave without getting an appropriate library picture. Yeah. Their teen librarian seems really hip and interesting. Too bad we were only there momentarily.


b) Green Tree Public Library
Pittsburgh, PA (04.12.08)

Tekkoshocon 2008-- the yearly gathering for those enlightened souls into Japanese culture, anime, and manga-- was epic. The crowds! The energy! The creative and rather skimpy outfits!

I worked at the Manga Reading Room of the convention. One of the librarians from the Film and Audio department checked out over 300 manga from the library and attendees were able to read the manga of their choice in the room. I was there on a Saturday, where there were 315 visitors! It was beatific success.


And what does this have to do with Green Tree Public Library, you ask? Ah yes. This library was in the area and oh-so-closed when I got to it. At least I still got the shot.


c) C.C. Mellor Memorial Library
Edgewood, PA (04.27.08)

I visited this one back in December but it's so close to home and I was never really satisfied with the first pictures. Here's Edgewood revisited.

If it looks like I'm sporting flowy M.C. Hammer pants, I'm trying to bring a fad back. That, and I was rediscovering old clothes. These are pants I bought in Thailand and I'm wearing them while they still fit.

Bye bye April. Oh that reminds me of that old Simon & Garfunkel song, "April Come She Will." How does it go? May she will stay... Wait, no. Actually I'm leaving... So I guess the song doesn't apply at all. Oops.

More on my departure-- and more jumpy pictures with my new 'do-- coming soon.

Road Map:: Brookline, Whitehall, Baldwin, and Pleasant Hills Libraries

More library jumpy pictures! This is the first batch of the month, all taken during April Fool's Day while we were in search of the ideal external hard drive for my laptop.

a) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Brookline
Pittsburgh, PA (04.01.08)

Unfortunately, we didn't have quarters for parking, so my husband stayed outside in the car while I perused the inside of this modern and adorable library. Hence, there's only one picture of this fabulous branch, though I do intend to go back soon. The children's department in particular was quite spacious, colorful, and accessible.

Brookline Library + renovations = Work it, lib!

Our quest to a nearby Circuit City was easily sidetracked here. I normally like to do 3 libraries in one outing but this trip took us to 4. Yeah, baby! You know that when we see that library sign on the road, we're *definitely* pulling over-- provided that there is still enough natural light to take a picture.

b) Whitehall Public Library
Pittsburgh, PA (04.01.08)

This is a district library that definitely had a welcoming feel. The coolest thing I noticed here was a flyer for a tea party. A very merry un-birthday to all! I'd love to do something like that eventually.

What do you think about this library's decorations, as seen in this pic? I was definitely impressed by them, because they seem inexpensive, fun to make, and like several people contributed to creating them.

What a fabulous way for patrons to leave a part of themselves at the library!

c) Baldwin Borough Public Library
Pittsburgh, PA (04.01.08)

Again, the loopy drive around South Hills led us to this library, which has one of the coolest locations of any library I've ever visited. It's right on top of a hill (sweet!), and it's in a magistrate's office that definitely has a '50s high school, Back to the Future feel. I'd already met the teen librarian there at the Teen Summer Reading seminar.

The YA fiction section was small but I totally dig the red furniture. This is one of those libraries that proves that it is possible to:

a) do what you can with the space you have, and

b) still have it look awesome.

d) Pleasant Hills Public Library
Pittsburgh, PA (04.01.08)

This is another library that tries hard to do the best with what it has. Upon entering, the staff worker asked me if I needed help finding anything in particular. She explained that items can easily be ordered if I didn't find what I was looking for.

This is rare and way cool! That way, patrons know exactly what their options are. I know that some people don't like to wait for items, so they don't take advantage of this service. Still... Knowledge is powah.

Speaking of powah...

After we left Pleasant Hills, we finally made it to Circuit City, where we got a large external hard drive for less than half of the marked price. ("Apparently, this one's on sale!") It could have been a coincidence...

... Then again, it could also have been the powah of da library!

*Freaky Twilight Zone music in the background*

Road Map:: Pittsburgh in the snow: Hazelwood, Squirrel Hill, and Homewood

When I first came to Pittsburgh months ago, I was: (a) petrified, and (b) annoyed. I was positive I'd skid to insanity driving through the snow, and I wasn't overtly interested in coming to a cold and rainy city. Basically, yes, it's the crappy weather that killed my zeal.

Fast forward a few months...

On a snowy Saturday afternoon, I'm willingly driving on snowy afternoons to capture libraries surrounded by white blankety stuff on the ground. I guess you can say I pretty much got the hell over it.

Voila the good libraries of the day!

a) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh -- Hazelwood (03.08.08)

This one is not your typical library. It's on top of a laundry service hub and some kind of diner faintly reminiscent of a liquor store. (Hey hey!) The entrance was rather nebulous and hard to find. While it was not the most user-friendly library I've been to, it definitely had its charm.

Here I am, jumping on the snowy sidewalk. I don't know what is up with my zigzag posture. I guess I was trying not to slip...



b) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh -- Squirrel Hill (03.08.08)

I got my CLP library card here last summer! I have also lovingly browsed materials and typed up essays for homework at this wonderful branch. I'm a sucker for Squirrel Hill as it is the most adorable area I've seen in Pennsylvania.


c) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh -- Homewood (03.08.08)

When I first visited during December 2006, I took a visit with my then-fiance. A girl in her early teens opened the door for us, just on a whim, and proudly declared, "This is the best library in the city!" You can't buy that type of advertising. It was very touching. I couldn't help but be impressed with the teen librarian's spontaneous tour of the library. Thanks for your hospitality, you guys!