Passport to Reading
Updates to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Passport to Reading!
In 2026, we invite you to visit as many library locations as you can from May 1st until August 21st. As you visit each location get your Passport to Reading booklets “stamped” by collecting that location’s sticker in your passport book. Our original 1,000 Gold Cards have been given away, but there is still a chance to get one. Please see the Gold Card Section below.
Library Locations and Hours
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has 37 library locations across Erie County. For the most up to date hours of operation and any possible closings, go to our Open Today page.
Our Bookmobile has a sticker that is not required to complete the challenge. However, if you would like to visit it to get the sticker, the schedule can be found here.
At present the Kenilworth Library Branch will be missing out most of this season due to construction. We are grateful to the Town of Tonawanda for their building updates and are offering the Kenilworth Branch Library Sticker at the Kenmore Branch Library.
Gold Card
Congratulations to 1,000 new Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Golden cardholders!
Good news for those who are still participating in their Passport to Reading journey, there are a few hundred remaining limited edition golden library cards, but when they are gone, they will be gone.
Here are the locations that still have cards as of 8/15/26 at 9 am. We will update often; however, please still call locations before arrival to make sure they still have cards, especially if you have a larger group.
BUFFALO BRANCHES
- Bookmobile
- Central Library (downtown Buffalo)
- Crane Branch Library
- Dudley Branch Library
- East Clinton Branch Library
- Elaine M. Panty Branch Library
- Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library
- Isaías González-Soto Branch Library
- Leroy R. Coles, Jr. Branch Library
MEMBER LIBRARIES
- Alden Ewell Free Library
- Hon. Shirley Chisholm Library (formerly Audubon)
- Clearfield Branch
- Eggertsville-Snyder Branch
- Williamsville Branch
- Angola Public Library
- Aurora Town Public Library
- Boston Free Library
- Julia Boyer Reinstein
- Anna Reinstein Memorial Library
- Clarence Public Library
- Collins Public Library (Town of)
- Concord Public Library
- Eden Library
- Elma Public Library
- Grand Island Memorial Library
- Lake Shore Branch Library
- Lackawanna Public Library
- Lancaster Public Library
- Marilla Free Library
- Newstead Public Library
- North Collins Public Library
- Orchard Park Public Library
- Tonawanda Public Library (City of)
- Kenilworth Branch
- Kenmore Branch
- West Seneca Public Library
If you/your family is faced with limitations in visiting all 37 libraries we’re open to discussing, on a case-by-case, and confidential basis, a resolution. Please contact Chelsey at lonbergerc@buffalolib.org or 716-858-7100.
I Spy
This year you can play “I Spy” during your trip. Each location’s sticker design includes a photo that shows something unique at that library location. Explore the library locations that you visit and try to find the objects or details that appear in the designs. Feel free to ask staff for help if you get stumped.
Share Your Trip
Show us your journey! Tag us at #PassportToReading and @buffalolibrary. You can also follow Mr. Piggins the guinea pig as he travels by searching #MrPiggins on social media.