Book lovers can browse for bargains and enjoy refreshments during a combination book sale and birthday party from 7 to 9:30 p.m. next Thursday at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie.

The benefit will be held several days before the 174th birthday of the library's namesake -- philanthropist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. The man who built and endowed the library was born in Scotland on Nov. 25, 1835.

Partygoers also can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the building that is unofficially called "The Carnegie Carnegie."

A portrait of Mr. Carnegie hangs over one of the fireplaces, and visitors will be invited to join in a toast to the painting.

Library Director Diane Klinefelter decided the best way to celebrate the birthday of the book-loving, library-building Mr. Carnegie was with a program that will help support the library.

"These are deeply challenging times for libraries, and we won't solve our financial problems with a book sale," Ms. Klinefelter said. "However, getting books into book lovers' hands, while showcasing our facility and the programs and services we provide, is very much in keeping with Mr. Carnegie's philosophy. He believed in helping people who help themselves."

Every year a steady stream of slightly used books, DVDs, audio books and periodicals are donated to the library, and most of them don't make it to the shelves and stacks.

"No one can throw away a book," Ms. Klinefelter said, so they're up for sale. Staff and volunteers have been working for months preparing for the event.

Popular Carnegie Carnegie merchandise also will be sold, including a new ornament that commemorates the historic landmark status of the 35,000-square-foot, 108-year-old building. Historic photos of the Civil War room also are available.

All libraries in Pennsylvania face funding cuts, said Maggie Forbes, executive director and campaign manager at the library. The Carnegie Carnegie, however, is not part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which is proposing the shutdown of some of its branches.

Staff members in Carnegie know the library faces funding cuts but they don't know the amount.

"When you are as close to the bone as the Carnegie Carnegie, any cut is painful," Ms. Forbes said.

In recent years, more than $6 million has been raised for improvements and upgrades at the Carnegie Carnegie.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.