Lackawanna Public Library

Lackawanna Public Library
Library Info

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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Take a look at our Virtual Tour of the Library

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


    Tech Trainer

    Tuesday, August 9, 3-7 PM

    Register for a 45-minute time slot to meet with our tech trainer! Get help with Android basics, iPhone or iPad basics, cloud services, Microsoft Office basics, computer files, simple digital editing, Canva, or social media.

    Free program open to the public. Call or stop by the front desk to register. 

    Minecraft Party

    Saturday, September 20, 1:00 PM

    Experience Minecraft IRL! Make a potion at the brewing stand, mine for gems, create a perler bead design at the crafting table, play creeper toss, and MORE!

    Free event bets for youth ages 6+. No registration necessary.

    Teen Haunt IRL

    Saturday, September 27, 1:00-2:00 PM

    We're bringing our teen Discord server to LIFE! Make the library your favorite haunt by chatting with friends, making a craft, or playing some games.

    Free program open to youth in grades 6-12.

    Local Author Talk with P.A. Kane

    Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 PM

    Meet local author P.A. Kane and learn about his latest book - set right here in the 716! Enjoy a 25-minute presentation about the book from the author himself.

    Free program open to the public. No registration required.

     


    Toddler Time

    September 30 - November 21

    Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30-11:30 AM

    Join us to sing songs, make crafts, and have fun with us as we celebrate the topic of the week!

    Registration required - pick our Tuesday OR Friday session and call or visit the front desk 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!


    Adult Craft Circle: Mosaic Picture Frames

    Tuesday, September 2, 6:00 PM

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

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

    Ages 18+ only.

    BINGO!

    Saturday, September 6, 1:00 PM

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

    BINGO! is for all ages.

    LEGO Club

    Saturday, September 6, 2:00 PM

    We provide the LEGOs - you just have to bring your creativity!

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

    Free and open to kids ages 6-12.

    Tuesday Murder Club: The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

    Tuesday, September 9, 6:00 PM

    A monthly book club exploring the murder genre.

    The reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet, until the tranquility is shattered by a scream. Security guards instruct everyone inside to stay put while they investigate. Four strangers, who happen to be sitting at the same table, pass the time in conversation and strike up friendships. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning - but one is a murderer.

    Free and open to the public. 

    Community Book Club: The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

    Wednesday, September 24, 6:00 PM

    Celebrated writer Alma Cruz is determined to bury the manuscripts, drafts, revisions, and characters that she failed to bring to life. Although they still haunt her, she decides to create a sanctuary to let them rest in peace on a plot of inherited land in the Dominican Republic. Will they let themselves be buried or will they revise and rewrite their stories? This novel explores the notion of whose stories get to be told and whose stories end up buried, along with finding meaning in the universal power of storytelling.

    Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

    Spice Explorers Spice of the Month Club

    September's Spice of the Month: Tajin!

    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.

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