Pgh Book Fest scheduled May 30

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has set Pgh Book Fest for Saturday, May 30, at its Main branch in Oakland, with organizers billing the event as free and open to readers of all ages. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4400 Forbes Ave., according to the library’s event listing. Programming includes author talks, poetry readings, workshops, local booksellers, literary exhibitors and vendors, the library said. The May 30 event is the latest edition of a festival that Carnegie Library said is now in its fifth year. Carnegie Library said in a May 7 press release that the event was formerly known as the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books and that this year’s version will have an expanded footprint in Oakland. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on May 20 that the day will include writers, panels and workshops. (carnegielibrary.org) ### Where exactly is the festival happening? Carnegie Library’s Main branch in Oakland is the primary site for the festival, with the official event page listing the address as 4400 Forbes Ave. in Pittsburgh. The festival website also says the event is held on the library’s main campus in Oakland. Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh will also be part of the footprint this year. (carnegielibrary.org) Carnegie Library said the expansion is meant to create additional space for activities, and University of Pittsburgh Library System pages direct visitors to register and note Hillman-based sessions in the lineup. (carnegielibrary.org) ### What will people find once they get there? The official event listing says attendees can expect author talks, poetry readings, workshops, local booksellers, literary exhibitors and vendors. The University of Pittsburgh Library System says the schedule includes hands-on workshops and panel discussions focused on books and storytelling. Carnegie Library said this year’s programming was shaped in part by reader feedback. (carnegielibrary.org) In its May 7 release, the library said a new “From Planning to Publishing” workshop for children’s and teen literature was added after attendees said they wanted more insight into how books are made. (carnegielibrary.org) ### Which authors and organizers are attached to this year’s event? Carnegie Library’s May 7 release named several featured writers, including Steven Rowley, Catherine Newman and Daniel Kraus. The library described the lineup as spanning genres including romance, horror, mystery, contemporary gothic and cozy fantasy. (carnegielibrary.org) Kornelia Tancheva, Hillman University Librarian and director of the University of Pittsburgh Library System, said in the release that the partnership would help “expand the festival’s reach.” Andrew Medlar, Carnegie Library’s president and director, said the event is intended to bring readers closer to both authors and the publishing process. (carnegielibrary.org) ### Why is the setup different this year? Carnegie Library said the 2026 edition is “bigger than ever,” with more space for programming and discovery. The library also said it is adding a centralized author book-signing tent so attendees do not have to move between talks and separate signing lines. (carnegielibrary.org) The changes were tied to expected turnout. Carnegie Library said it expanded into Hillman Library to accommodate the thousands of book lovers expected to attend. ### How do readers sign up or plan ahead? Registration is already open, according to Carnegie Library’s May 7 release and the University of Pittsburgh Library System page for the event. (carnegielibrary.org) The festival website says May 30 programming is scheduled at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main branch in Oakland, and the library’s event page directs readers to the festival website and the @pghbookfest social accounts for updates. Saturday, May 30, is the next key date. The festival begins at 10 a.m. in Oakland, and organizers say readers can use the official festival site to register and review the program before the event. (carnegielibrary.org 1) (carnegielibrary.org 2)