By Kate Benz

Published: Sunday, February 10, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Sunday, February 10, 2013

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh ensured that all of the 500 in attendance during its Late Night social broke the cardinal rules of hushed etiquette on Friday, keeping its doors open at the main branch for another round of After Hours @the Library.

“It's very cool,” said Nate Phillips. “We live up the street, and actually just discovered the library ...”

“Well, the fact that they had events like this!” his fiancee, Sara Patterson, clarified.

A sellout a week in advance, the event took on a French twist with absinthe tastings and the occasional beret, “They were gifts ... at Christmas, we thought, ‘What are we going to do with these?'” laughed Elizabeth Sapp, who was joined by Chris Sasada, Beth Vrbanic and Michael Sapp. Elsewhere, students from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre came ensembled in their Moulin Rouge wear and posed for photo ops while a ballerina hair bar catered to aspiring Bun Heads.

Later, docents led groups into the library's William R. Oliver Special Collections Room, a treasure trove of rare and unique materials including books, manuscripts, personal papers and historic photographs.

“I think it's a surprise to some, but once they start coming (to the socials), they really get into it,” offered archivist Greg Priore.

Also spotted amongst the crowd were CLP prexy Mary Frances Cooper, new deputy director Susan Banks, and PBT company dancers Casey Taylor and Gabrielle Thurlow.

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