PITTSBURGH - October 2, 2007 - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Alcoa Foundation jointly announce a $400,000 Alcoa Foundation grant to the Carnegie Libraryin support of its Libraries for LIFE Capital Campaign. The gift will fund children's areas in several neighborhood libraries. The children's areas in both the recently renovated Homewood facility and future North Side library will be named in honor of the Alcoa Foundation.

In 2006, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh officially launched the public phase of a $55 million Capital Campaign, "Libraries for Life: Building Communities, Enriching Lives," to continue the Library's system-wide revitalization project. Since 2001, six neighborhood locations and the first floor of the Main Library in Oakland have been renovated, providing handicapped accessibility, climate control systems and state-of-the-art technology. The visibility of the completed renovations has brought new vitality in the form of increased visitation and circulation by as much as 187% in some libraries. The gift from the Alcoa Foundation will help to strengthen this trend.

"Our newly renovated libraries include areas that provide children and teens with their own meeting spaces that encourage them to think of the library as their own special place to visit, meet their friends and read good books," states Dr. Barbara K. Mistick, President and Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. "By providing early literacy programs and services to young children, Carnegie Library helps ready children for school and the benefits of a solid education."

"The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is one of the most valuable resources we have in this community. The library's reference and leisure reading collections serve as a resource that simply is not available at home. Computer access, availability of information, databases, and professional assistance are important tools on hand to help children with their homework," said Meg McDonald, President, Alcoa Foundation. "With this contribution, the library can continue its efforts to engage Pittsburgh communities in literacy and learning."

In 2006, CLP librarians presented more than 8,000 programs, including many outreach initiatives for pre-schools and area Head Start programs. The demand for storytimes and other children's activities increases each year, as these activities are valued by parents, caregivers and teachers for the enrichment that they bring to children.

About Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
"Free to the People" since 1895

Established as a public trust in 1895, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh serves the citizens of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County with a distinguished history of leadership among the country's great public libraries. Through its 19 neighborhood locations, including Main Library and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is the region's most visited asset. Each year the Library provides more than 6,000 free programs, classes and other learning and training opportunities that are tailored to meet the dynamic and diverse needs of people living in Western Pennsylvania.

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is a separately constituted nonprofit U.S. corporate foundation with assets of approximately $534 million. Its mission is to actively invest in the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Throughout its history, the Foundation has been a source of positive community change and enhancement, with nearly $437 million invested since 1952.

In 2006, Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation invested a combined total of $42.3 million in community programs in 32 countries, focusing on four areas of excellence: conservation and sustainability, global education and workplace skills, business and community partnerships, and safe and healthy children and families. Alcoa Foundation manages the Alcoa employee volunteer programs ACTION and Bravo! For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

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