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Anna Reinstein Memorial Library

Anna Reinstein Memorial Library
    Library Info

    2580 Harlem Rd.
    Cheektowaga, NY 14225
    United States

    Fax: 716-892-3370
    Dan Caufield, Director

    Located north of the Harlem Road and Walden Avenue intersection, across from St. Joseph Hospital. Wheelchair accessible. Parking lot available.

    Computer Availability:

    Public Access Computers: 23 computers, networked (printing 10 cents per page black & white and 25 cents per page for color) Microsoft Office Applications, Internet Access, Misc. "What can I do at a Public Access Computer?"  

    Wireless Internet access is available.

    Meeting Room & Copy Machine Information:

    Meeting Room, Capacity 60. Copy machine, copies 15 cents each.

    What's Special About the Reinstein Memorial Library

    The library houses the Reinstein Family Papers. The collection is comprised of letters, photographs and printed materials from 1880-1982. Viewing and consulting by appointment, for research purposes only.

    • Anna Reinstein Memorial Library

      Hours

      Sunday - Closed   Monday - 12pm - 8pm   Tuesday - 9am - 5pm    Wednesday - 12pm - 8pm    Thursday - 10am - 6pm    Friday - Closed    Saturday - 9am - 5pm


      Book Sale

      Ongoing Book Sale - $2 Bag Sale (BYOB - bring your own bag)

      Twisted Stitches

      Twisted Stitches - Monday, September 16th 6:00pm

      Twisted Stitches - Monday, September 23rd 6:00pm

      Twisted Stitches - Monday, September 30th 6:00pm

      Join us every Monday except for Holidays (Sept-May). Knit, crochet, loom? For ages 15+ Relax and enjoy some friendly conversation while working on your craft. Bring your own supplies. Looking to learn, we can show you how!

      Lego Club

      YES Lego Club - Monday, September 16th 6:00 pm

      Join us in making your very own Lego creation to be displayed in the library. Call (716) 892-8089 or stop in at 2580 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga, NY to sign up. Registration is required.

      Movie Day: Paw Patrol Mighty Movie

      Movie Day: Paw Patrol the Mighty Movie - Saturday, September 21st 1:00 pm

      Join us for a wonderful movie day event. Check out Chase and his friends in Paw Patrol the Mighty Movie. Rated PG. Snacks will be provided! Register by calling (716) 892-8089 or stop in, 2580 Harlem Rd. Cheektowaga, NY to register. 

      Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables

      Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables - Tuesday, September 24th 1:00pm

      Workshops include a recipe demonstration, tasting samples, educational and interactive discussion as well as a free kitchen tool or utensil as a thank you to our participants. Registration required. Call (716) 892-8089 to sign up or stop in at 2580 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga, NY 14225. 

      Narcan Training

      Narcan Training - Wednesday, September 25th 6:00pm

      The Office of Harm Reduction is looking to take our new, updated Narcan training on the road and bring it to your community. As I am sure you already know, overdose deaths in Erie County have been continuously on the rise since 2020 and we are looking to do something different to address this crisis. This is where you come in! Registration required. Call (716) 892-8089 to sign up or stop in at 2580 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga, NY 14225. 

      Pumpkin Patch

      Pumpkin Patch and Magic Show - Saturday, September 28th 1-3pm

      Join us for our pumpkin patch event. There will be a magic show, pumpkin patch, crafts and more! Registration is required. Space and supplies are limited.  Call (716) 892-8089 to sign up or stop in at 2580 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga, NY 14225. 

      A Taste of Bobbin Lace

      A Taste for Bobbin Lace - Monday, September 30th 1-2:30pm

      The WNY Lace Guild is offering a free introductory class in Bobbin Lace-making. Learn the basic stitches while making a simple bookmark in this 1 1/2  hour class. All materials are provided (with the pillow and bobbins on loan). Space is limited so register early to reserve your place by calling 716-892-8089. For more information email WNYLaceGuild@gmail.com or call Susanne @ 716-681-2022. 

      Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

      Gertrude Hawk Chocolates on sale at the Cheektowaga Public Libraries. There are 8 flavors to choose from including: Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry, Peanut Butter, Lava Cake, Crispy, Milk Chocolate, and Almond. 

      Only $2 or two for $3 

      Bike Locks Available

      Bike locks are now available for use at the library. Only intended to be used while visiting the library. 

      Can't make it in? Check out our eLibrary!

      Check out eBooks and eAudiobooks from Libby!

      Wondering how to check out books and audiobooks while our buildings are closed? We created a short tutorial series on getting started with Libby!

      Signing Up for an eLibrary Card 

      Getting the Libby App 

      eReader Questions and Answers 

      Reading Digitally During and After Library Closures 


      History of Anna M. Reinstein

      Anna Reinstein was born in 1866 to a family of minor Russian nobility near Kiev. Her interest in medicine was encouraged by her mother, who was an herbalist, and her family. Her parents sent her to a school in Berne, Switzerland and there she received her doctorate in medicine in 1891, and met her future husband, Boris Reinstein. By the time Anna emigrated to the United States in 1888, she spoke three dialects of Polish as well as French, Ukrainian, high Russian, German, Italian, Hebrew, Yiddish and English. She could also read and write Latin and Greek, which was required as a physician. She chose to settle in the Buffalo area because of its large Polish population, feeling a physician fluent in Slavic languages could establish a comfortable practice here. 

      Anna built her practice steadily. She worked as a midwife before passing her U.S. medical boards exams, and is reported to have delivered over 2,000 babies. Many times around the turn of the century she could be spotted on her bicycle, black bag in hand, driving the roads of East Buffalo and Cheektowaga to tend to her patients needs. In 1904, Anna moved to Cheektowaga and continued to practice medicine here until February 12, 1948. Her son Victor, born in 1894, joined her medical practice in 1916. 

      In the early 1900's, Anna Reinstein acquired much property in Cheektowaga and built homes in the area. One of the reasons she began in real estate was to provide rental housing for the railroad workers and other working class people who need shelter. 

      The library was made possible by a donation given by Victor Reinstein, her son, to memorialize Anna. A woman who came to Cheektowaga back in 1904, who practiced medicine in the area for more than 40 years, and became a part of the township. The Reinstein family has always known the value of education and books which recorded the experiences of men and women who lived before them. This belief became possible in the community where the Reinstein family once lived, where youth can recognize the benefits which man can find in his search for knowledge at the Anna M. Reinstein Memorial Library. 

      The Reinstein Family Archives is housed at the Anna M. Reinstein Memorial Library. This special collection contains documents that encapsulate the history of the family with focus on the lives of Boris Isaevich Reinstein, Anna Mogilova Reinstein, Honorine Reinstein, Nadina Reinstein Kavinoky, Victor Reinstein, and Julia Boyer Reinstein. Onsite access to The Reinstein Family Archives is by appointment only. Presently there are 102.25 cubic feet of records in the Archives with dates spanning from 1805-1998. Online access to a selected set of items from the Archives is made available in partnership with New York Digital Heritage Collections.

      NY Heritage


      Home School and Virtual Learning Help

      Introduction Guide

      Pre-K-6

      7-8 Grade

      9-12 Grade

      Kids Resource Lounge

      Homeschool Picture


      Click to access local history finding aids

      Check out our sister library:

      Julia Boyer Reinstein Library

      Image of Julia Boyer Reinstein Library

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