The Carnegie Free Library is an impressive two story structure centrally locat ed at 1301-7th avenue in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The building, garnering the stra tegic setting of a corner lot, was designed in the neo-classical or Palladian tradition. The exterior of the building rests on a stone foundation finished in granite approximately 4-5 feet from ground level. The trim surounding the first floor windows are also lined with terra cotta moldings. The eastern facade of the Building, fronting the main street of Beaver Falls, boasts of a large Grecian Portico supported by four columns.The window over the front and main entrance is of fan light design and hand crafted of wood and stained glass. A curtain of grass and shrubbery accents the South and East sides of the building.
The roof of the library is reinforced with buttresses evenly distributed on its North, East, and South sides. Although it was replaced with asphalt shingle several years ago, the roof's contour and color were kept in tact. An original skylight, numer ous chimneys, and several dormers adorning the main trusses of the building remain in place and unchanged. Framed in between the buttresses are a series of windows, two with four panels in the foundation, an arched six footer on the first floor with the top frame being fixed, and two-double hung on the third floor. The fact that they are orig inal and single paned results in the library experiencing considerable loss of energy. The only other minor changes on the exterior was the replacement of a front door with one that met the building code and the enclosure of one or two windows and doors with matching brick. Another reason for these changes was to avoid heat loss and mini mize the possibility of vandalism. There are two main entrances to the structure, each being accessed by stone risers that span well beyond the openings.
Similar to many Carnegie Libraries of the period, the Beaver Falls library is constructed rectangular in shape with a basement, first, and second floors. The design of the basement conforms to what Carnegie envisioned as the ideal utilization of space for his libraries; eventhough in those days no architects were to be found that special ized in library design. It houses the heating plant, restrooms, storage, work, and lec ture rooms. In regard to the first floor; there was also very little, if any, deviation from his standard model. High ceilings can be found throughout the main floor. Its' corridor is 18-20' wide and envelops a circulation desk, with circular wood columns and beams accenting the ceiling and surrounding areas.
It's a must visit place in the Beaver County of PA.