C.C. Mellor Welcomes New Children's Librarian to Edgewood

Lauren Miller is thrilled to have the title as the new children’s librarian at Edgewood’s , and already is starting to get to know the families that define the neighborhood.

“I love it,” she said. “It is everything I had been looking for and more—the community has embraced me, the patrons are fabulous and I can’t say enough about the neighborhood.”

Miller and her husband moved to Regent Square in March, while she started at the library June 1. Originally from McMurray, Miller attended the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate work, also studying library science there as well. After graduating, she spent six years working at Pepper Hamilton’s law library, a private firm downtown.

“I have always wanted to get back into public librarianship,” Miller said. “When I was in the library science program, I worked at Carnegie public part-time and I loved it, but when I looked for full-time work, there were no opportunities available.”

When the position at C.C. Mellor opened up around the same time she moved to the neighborhood, she knew she had to go for it.

“I thought, ‘This is just too good to be true,’” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

While she and her husband previously lived in Shadyside, Miller said she loves the new place she calls home.

“We were ready to make a move to more of a neighborhood, but didn’t want to give up the walk-ability we had in in Shadyside,” Miller said. “We also wanted our own space and now we have that. It’s been wonderful.”

While the former librarian, , had a beloved at C.C. Mellor, Miller sought her advice before filling the position.

“She is so awesome and so loved,” Miller said. “She left enormous shoes to fill and she told me to truly make it my own and be myself.”

Miller said it was the best advice anyone could have given her coming into the job.

“It’s really so individual and unique and you need to roll with the punches,” she said. “It’s fun!”

In addition to regular story time hours during the week, Miller also is planning to add Saturday hours in the future for families who are not able to attend on a week day.

On Monday, Miller also will hold an end of the summer party for the summer reading program from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Koenig Field, complete with games and prizes. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it will be held at the .

“We will have special events throughout the year, with some geared towards the older kids too in fourth, fifth and sixth grades,” Miller said. “I am really looking forward to getting to know the families and growing with them, being able to work with kids through the years, watching them grow and being a part of their learning process.”

And most of all—she’s looking forward to having fun.

“That’s what going to the library should be all about—making it fun,” she said. “I have those childhood memories and that’s what I want it to be for these kids.”

For more information, visit the library's website here.