Non-traditional little free libraries popping up across Pittsburgh area; CBS News, July 24, 2026

Ricky Sayer , CBS News; Non-traditional little free libraries popping up across Pittsburgh area

"A woman in Dormont is making it her mission to map all of the little free libraries in her community. 

Little free libraries are often placed by neighbors along sidewalks, allowing people to leave books they no longer need as well as encouraging them to take ones that interest them.

Two years ago, Amy Constantine says she and her husband built a little free library for their ever-growing collection of vinyl records, CDs and cassettes. Constantine says they inherited records or were gifted them, and it was a good way for them to get rid of any duplicates.

"Our music that we originally shared is long gone. This is all community music," says Constantine. "The neighborhood's been really generous about turning it over for us, right? We have new inventory all the time."

Constantine says her little free library inspired her to create a map of as many as she could find in her neighborhood. She says she was stunned to learn there were multiple within blocks of her home."

Come for the Books, Stay for the Power Tools; The New York Times, June 27, 2026

Sarah Diamond

Illustrations by Gabrielle Lamontagne, 

 The New York Times; Come for the Books, Stay for the Power Tools

"As of 2024, there were more than 2,000 examples of places around the world where patrons have access to objects that might otherwise sit unused in a closet, garage or on a store shelf.

The idea has roots stretching back to World War II-era tool-lending libraries. But researchers say the movement gained momentum after the Great Recession in 2008, when many Americans began questioning whether they needed to own items they used only occasionally. “It’s a reclamation of the commons,” said Shannon Mattern, an author and former professor who studies libraries and public infrastructure."

What you can get for free in and around Pittsburgh - all with a library card; WPXI.com News Staff, February 6, 2026

WPXI.com News Staff; What you can get for free in and around Pittsburgh - all with a library card

"There’s a card in your wallet that is so powerful, it can get you plenty of things for free—everything from free tickets to shows to a ladder for home repairs. All available if you have a library card.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh offers a “Library of Things” to help residents save on household expenses and entertainment. These programs allow patrons to check out physical objects and experience passes with the same ease as borrowing a book.

Andrew Medlar, president of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, discussed the financial impact of utilizing library resources. “There are so many things that the library provides. How could anyone know all of them except your friendly librarian?” Medlar said. He estimated that a person utilizing a library card could save “hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.”"