Lackawanna Public Library

Lackawanna Public Library

560 Ridge Rd.
Lackawanna, NY 14218
United States

716-823-0630
Fax: 716-827-1997
Danielle Ptak, Director

Located on Ridge Road between Route 5 and South Park Avenue. Wheelchair accessible. Parking lot available.

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Public Access Computers: 16 computers, networked (printing 10 cents B&W per page, 25 cents color per page, now with Mobile Printing) Microsoft Office Applications, Internet Access, Misc. "What can I do at a Public Access Computer?"

Meeting Room. Study Room. Copy machine, copies 15 cents each. Radio receiver for the visually impaired.

What's Special About the Lackawanna Library

The Lackawanna Public Library is a beautiful colonial style building with magnificent oak woodwork throughout the interior. Located on Ridge Road between Route 5 and South Park Avenue, the library was built in 1922 with money donated by Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie was a 19th Century steel tycoon who became one of the 20th Century’s most famous national philanthropists. The Lackawanna Library was one of the last Carnegie Libraries ever constructed.

The Lackawanna Public Library also houses a Local History museum on our ground floor. Our collections cover maps, photographs, and artifacts from Bethlehem Steel as well as Lackawanna itself.  If you would like more information please call or stop on in and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Lackawanna is rich in local history and just a short walk from the library you will find several local landmarks including Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The Library itself was built on a potter’s field and in 1994 a monument was added to honor the unknown buried there. In 2018 the PRONE Group (Paranormal Researchers of Niagara and Erie County) found evidence of paranormal activity at the Lackawanna Library and this "patron" is now affectionately known as Charlie.

The Lackawanna Library provides something for every age group. Each month the library has story times, crafts, movie nights, book clubs, bingo, computer classes and much more. All of these programs are provided free of charge. The Staff at the Lackawanna Public Library kindly invite you to visit soon and experience everything the library has to offer.

Kid relaxing on floor

a boy wearing fancy mask

Lackawanna Public Library Policies

System-Wide Policies

The Lackawanna Public Library is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System.

  • Lackawanna Public Library

    September Programs

    Seed Saving with Erica Fire

    Wednesday, September 2, 5:30 PM 

    Learn how to harvest seeds with a professional of the WNY Seed saving Library. 

    This is a free program. Register by calling the Library. 

    Author Talk: Francesca Kim Tioleco

    Saturday, September 12, 1:00 PM

    Author of Laguna B!tch. A powerful new story about resilience, renewal, and finding beauty after life changes direction. 

    This is a free program. No Registration. 

    NACA Workshop

    Saturday, September 19, 10:30-2:30 PM  

    Join us at the Lackawanna Library for a Home Purchase program workshop provided by Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.

    NACA provides over 30% of all the housing counseling in the country and is the most effective in providing affordable long-term homeownership for both homebuyers and homeowners. 

    NACA’s transformative mortgage product, counseling services, and character-based underwriting provides a model for how fair mortgage lending can successfully be made a reality for working families and people of coloron a large scale. For more information, please visit www.naca.com.

    Legal Resource Hub 

    Tuesday, September 22, 10:00-1:00 PM

    Drop in for a tabling event featuring local legal organizations that can provide resources and guidance on a variety of topics. 

    This is a free program. No Registration. 

    Technology Trainer Appointments  

    Tuesday, September 22, 3:00-7:00 PM

    Book a tech training session with a professional at the Lackawanna Public Library. 

    Get help with a new device, solve a tech problem, learn to use Canva, and MORE! 

    This is a free program. 

    Registration Required - Stop by the front desk or call us at 716-823-0630 to book an appointment. 

    Only four appointment available, so act fast!  

    Energy Affordability Assistance  

    Wednesday, September 23, 10:00-4:00 PM

    Drop in for a tabling event featuring organizations that can provide information to help with energy affordability this Winter. This event will include representation from:

    • ECDFA‑HEAP
    • ECLIPSE
    • WNY Clean Energy Hub
    • National Fuel Gas
    • National Grid
    • New York State Electric & Gas
    • NY Connects/ECDFA
    • Center for Elder Law & Justice – Benefits Enrollment Team (select locations)

    This is a free program. No Registration. 


    Toddler Time - Fall Session

    Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:30 AM, Sept. 22 - Nov. 20 

    Join Miss Tracey and Miss Wajiha to sing songs, make crafts, and have some fun as we celebrate a new topic each week!

    This is a free program. Best for kids 2-5.

    Registration required - pick our Tuesday OR Friday session and visit the front desk or call us at 716-823-0630 to register!

    ESL Help & English Conversations for U.S. Citizenship Test

    Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00 PM

    Adults can gain skills for work, everyday communication, citizenship and more. Work to reach YOUR goals!

    Haunted Library Tours

    Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 PM: Sept. 30 - Oct. 28

    Join us for a Spooky Tour of the Library!

    This event is a fundraiser to fund new library equipment and programming. Tickets are sold in person at the Lackawanna Library, $20 per person, cash only. Limited Tickets available! 


    BINGO!

    Monday, August 31 & Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 PM

    It's time to win some prizes and brag to your family and friends!

    BINGO! is free and for all ages. No registration necessary.

    LEGO Club

    Monday, August 31 & Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 PM

    We provide the LEGOs - you bring your creativity!

    LEGO Club happens directly after BINGO! Win your prizes and then stay to build your next masterpiece.

    LEGO Club is free and open to kids ages 6-12. No registration necessary.

    Adult Craft Circle: Tree Button Painting 

    Tuesday, September 1, 6:00 PM

    Stop in and make a cool craft! All supplies provided, just bring your creativity.

    This is a free program. Ages 18+ only.

    Registration required, so stop by the front desk and grab your seat ASAP!

    Tuesday Murder Club: The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson

    Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 PM

    Do you enjoy sleuthing your way through a good mystery? Join us for our murder mystery book club!
     

    This is a free program. No registration necessary.

    Stitch Salon

    Wednesday, September 9, 6:00 PM

    If you're a crocheter, a needlepoint enthusiast, or someone who wants to get into fabric arts, come by and work on your projects in a chill, group setting!

    All experience levels welcome. While there is no formal instruction, attendees are encouraged to share ideas, tips, and inspiration.

    This is a free program open to all ages. No registration necessary.

    Teen Haunt

    Tuesday, September 22, 3:00 PM

    Calling all teens - make the library your favorite haunt!

    Play games, hang with your friends, read some books, make new buddies, and just chill out for the afternoon.

    This Month's Featured Craft: Forever Plants 

    Free and open to the public. All supplies and activities provided.

    Evening Cup Book Club: The Familiar

    Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 PM

    Mark your calendars for our next book club/tea session!

    We'll be talking about Leah Bardugo's, The Familiar.

    Historical fiction meets witchcraft. Luzia Cotado uses magic to get by. Determined for fortune. As he notoriety grows through alchemy, fraud, and deadly secrets. Will it all come tumbling down? 

    This is a free program. No registration necessary.

    Tea and cups will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

    Spice Explorers Spice of the Month Club

    August's Spice of the Month: Apple Pie Spice

    Stop in to grab a spice packet and a brochure that provides fun facts about this month's spice, recipes you can make at home, and cookbook recommendations to take your meals to the next level!

    Limit 1 kit per family, while supplies last.

    Join the Friends of the Library

    Want to be more involved in your Lackawanna Library? Become a Friend of the Lackawanna Library. We'd love your input on various projects, events, and much more to make a difference in the Lackawanna Community. Stop by the library or call 716-823-0630 to sign up and receive more information.

    *Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more Programming and other updates!