2019 GRANTEES
Learning together during intergenerational programming at the Bathhouse Ceramic Studio in the BCLA. Photo Credit: Tony Duff
The Braddock Carnegie Library Association strives to be a "Center of Light and Learning" for the communities it serves.
For 130 years, the Braddock Carnegie Library Association (BCLA) has provided tools for dynamic, engaged learning, and resources for meeting life’s challenges. It is a place where neighbors meet, exchange ideas, share cultures, resources and creative strategies with one another, while strengthening communities.
Artist in the Library Series: Zena Ruiz, sugar skull workshop. Photo Credit: Natalia Gomez
BCLA’s daily programs and services are developed in conversation with our neighbors. The library offers arts and culture programs in their Neighborhood Print Shop and Bathhouse Ceramics Studio; hosts the Artist in the Library Series, Resident Artist in Residence and, along with a traditional lending collection, they offer an innovative art lending collection and a growing community alternative lending collection. The children and adult library focus on creating access to technology while opening pathways and resources for engaged, creative learning and life skills. The number of people opening new library cards has increased by 65% in the past 5 years.
BCLA’s programs and services make them a social infrastructure hub for civic, cultural and community engagement, creative life-long education, and workforce development. Currently BCLA offers over 900 programs a year with participation totaling over 29,000 times a year. Patrons also utilize their facility for social gatherings, meetings, collective organizing, research and access to technology. BCLA aims to be an essential safe place of self determination, community imagination, life-long learning, and development that honors the knowledge, cultures, needs, desires, histories, and lived experiences of their neighbors.
BCLA 130th Birthday Celebration and public reveal of the Building Master Plan. Photo Credit: Tony Duff
The Braddock Carnegie Library Association (BCLA), in partnership with the communities it serves, is writing a new chapter for its future: A reinvestment in BCLA’s physical infrastructure is an investment in its social mission and its people. The comprehensive 15 million dollar building renovation will:
Enable BCLA to be a fully accessible public space
Generate revenue to contribute to long term sustainability while encouraging neighborhood centered economic development
Improve operating efficiency
Evolve and expand its programming, services, and resources for a growing community
AE&E Fund is delighted to make a contribution in order for BCLA to build development capacity and infrastructure as they enter into this historic capital campaign.