Partnership Highlight: Wilkinsburg Public Library

At Queens Gambit, we are proud to work with organizations that share our passion for empowering communities. One such partnership is with the Wilkinsburg Public Library, a historic and vital resource for residents of all ages. We recently spoke with Charlene Castronovo, Children’s Librarian at Wilkinsburg Public Library, about the library’s mission, the impact of our collaboration, and the exciting growth of chess programming at the library.

About Wilkinsburg Public Library

“The Wilkinsburg Public Library was founded in 1899 as one of the nation’s first prestigious Carnegie libraries,” Charlene shared. “Since 1940, we’ve been located in the Borough of Wilkinsburg building. Our mission is to enrich and improve the lives of our patrons through information, education, and recreation. We serve people of all ages and backgrounds, always striving to meet their diverse interests and needs.”

What Sparked the Partnership with Queens Gambit?

Charlene first connected with Queens Gambit during the Borough of Wilkinsburg’s Park-It program in 2024. "When running the Park-It program, I was informed about several organizations to bring in, including Queens Gambit," she explained. "It was such a success at the park that I decided to reach out to see if we could do a monthly program for youth at our library."

Making an Impact on the Community

Although the partnership is still in its early stages, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. "We’ve only been working with Queens Gambit for a couple of months," Charlene noted, "but already I’ve seen an improvement in teen participation and problem-solving skills from those who attend our events."

Chess as a Tool for Leadership and Personal Growth

Charlene is passionate about the role of chess in developing key life skills. "Chess is very important for personal growth," she emphasized. "While playing what may seem like a simple game, participants learn to understand rules, strategy, pattern recognition, calculation, visualization, evaluation, and self-analysis. These are powerful tools for personal and leadership development."

The Joy of Collaboration

For Charlene, one of the most rewarding aspects of working with Queens Gambit has been witnessing the resurgence of interest in chess. "I used to run a monthly chess club at another library years ago," she reflected. "When I started at Wilkinsburg three years ago, there wasn’t much interest in the game. Now, the group is growing, and I can’t wait to hopefully hold tournaments among participants and maybe even expand to other libraries in the area."

Looking Ahead

Our partnership with Wilkinsburg Public Library is a shining example of the impact that collaboration can have on a community. With Charlene’s leadership and dedication, the library is becoming a hub for young chess enthusiasts. We’re excited to continue this journey and help foster a new generation of thinkers, strategists, and leaders—on and off the chessboard.

To learn more about Wilkinsburg Public Library, visit their website.