Lancaster Public Library

Lancaster Public Library is open to the public. For the safety of all, masks are required to be worn by everyone inside the library.

Curbside service is available by appointment. Please call ahead to schedule a pickup time.

Learning Kits
We have several learning and exploration kits available for a 7-day loan. Borrow an adult coloring kit, birdwatching kit, hiking kit, family gardening kit, and advanced gardener kit. Kits must be returned to the Lancaster Library information desk during open hours.

Memory Kits
Do you have a family member or friend experiencing memory loss? Do you work in an assisted living facility or a nursing home? Memory kits feature a variety of items to inspire memories, discussion, and interaction with people experiencing memory loss. Each kit contains activities such as puzzles, games, books, DVDs, and CDs. Themes are: animals, movies/ tv, history, and games. Kits must be returned to the Lancaster Public Library information desk during open hours.

Yard Games
We have several yard games available for a 7-day loan. Borrow Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Ring Toss, Bocce, Lawn Darts, or Kan Jam for your next party! Yard games must be returned to the Lancaster Library information desk during open hours.

PROGRAMS
Did you miss an online program? Please check out our playlists at https://www.facebook.com/pg/LancasterLib/videos/ for archived videos.

Lancaster Public Library 1821-2021: 200^th Anniversary Reading Log Challenge
Help the library celebrate our 200th anniversary by participating in our reading log challenge. Each log is for 20 books. Hand it in when completed for a chance to win a Kindle! Pick up a reading log at our information desk and see if you can make it to 200 books in honor of our anniversary. All ages! Winners will be announced this December.

I Love My Library Card Craft: Card Holder
September & October
Create your own library card holder for your library card in celebration for library card sign-up months. Don't have a card? Free cards are available at the library. Ask at the desk for your free craft. For all ages.

STEM Kits: Kaleidoscope
Begins September 1
Create your own kaleidoscope by picking up at STEM kit to experiment with at home. While supplies last. For ages 5 and up. 

Craft & Carry
Begins September 1
A take home craft for kids ages 5 - 12. Limit one per child while supplies last. These kits are funded by the Friends of the Lancaster Library.

Apple Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, September 25 - Friday, November 5
Find a laminated picture of an apple in the children's area of the library and bring it to the information desk. You will then be entered to win a $10 gift certificate to Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe! A weekly winner will be drawn each Friday, beginning October 1st. Ages 12 and under.

Fall Reading Raffle- 4 BIG PRIZES
Saturday, September 25 - Sunday, December 21
Check out books to win! Prizes include a hiking backpack with telescope, Lego® sets, arts and crafts kits, and dinosaur/ fossil kits.  Bring your check-out receipt to the information desk to receive a raffle ticket. Kids 12 and under receive 1 raffle ticket for every 5 print books checked out. Teens 13-17 receive 1 raffle ticket for every 3 books checked out. Prizes are funded by contributions from our generous donors.

Erie Canal on Tour: Melissa Kate Miller - Travelling Museum
Saturday, September 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Children are guided through a "day in the life" of a person living near the Erie Canal in its early days. They are asked to observe artifacts and use those observations to uncover the stories the artifacts tell. Traveling Museum guide, Melissa Kate Miller, crafts the stories of the artifacts into an engaging and educational experience, while participants touch, hold, and explore the artifacts and their role in history. For children ages 5 and up. Registration required and space is limited. Call 716-683-1120 or stop in to sign-up. Masks required. This program was funded in part by Humanities NY with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Erie Canal on Tour: Folk and Americana- The Hill Brothers
Saturday, September 25, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Songs, folklore, and humor from the Appalachian Mountains provide participants with a rich taste of their American heritage. Featuring traditional and "homemade" instruments, including spoons, washboard, string bass, mandolin, dulcimer, acoustic guitar, and the ever-popular washtub bass, the show by The Hill Brothers invites laughter, clapping, and singing along to great old American folk songs. Masks required. For ages 5 and up. Registration is required. Call 716-683-1120 or stop in to sign-up. This program was funded in part by Humanities NY with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

STEM Kits: Penny Spinners
Begins October 1
Create your own penny spinner by picking up at STEM kit to experiment with at home. While supplies last. For ages 5 and up. 

Craft & Carry
Begins October 1
A take home craft for kids ages 5 - 12. Limit one per child while supplies last. These kits are funded by the Friends of the Lancaster Library.

Storywalk® in the Library
Begins October 1
A take a walk and read the book The Halloween Play by Felicia Bond in a new way around the children's area of our library. Follow the numbers on the floor and discover a craft you can take home. *The Storywalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. 

Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, September 28, October 5, 19, & 26 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. (session 1) & 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (session 2)
Fridays, October 1, 8, 22, & 29, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Join Miss Meg as she reads stories, has bubbles, and hands out a craft to make at home. For ages 3-5. Registration required and space is limited. Masks required. Please call 716-683-1120 or stop in to sign up.

Movin' and Groovin' with Miss Meg
Fridays, October 1, 8, 22, & 29, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join us for dancing, yoga, interpretive movement, and an all-around good time. For kids ages 3-5. Masks required. Registration required and space is limited. Please call 716-683-1120 or stop in to sign up. 

No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Pumpkin pickup/ registration October 1 - 9
Decorated pumpkin drop off: by Friday, October 22
In-library voting: October 23 - 29
Winners announced October 29 @ 3:00 p.m. 
Stop by the library to register and pick up a pumpkin (while supplies last) or provide your own. Each pumpkin must have a library or book theme. For all ages. Pumpkins will be displayed in the library for voting. 2 winners will be drawn on October 29th. Prizes include a s'mores maker kit and a movie night snack pack. Prizes are funded by contributions from our generous donors.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum STEAM Workshop: Coding & Carrousel Animals
Saturday, October 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Children will learn about electricity and how it relates to the carrousel. They will participate in a workshop using squishy circuits to learn about closed and open circuits. Participants will use conductive play dough to experiment with circuits in groups. For ages 6-12. Masks required. Registration required. Please stop in or call to sign up. This program was made possible with support from fund For the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts. 

Paws for Love: Read to a Dog
Saturday, October 2, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Pick out a book and practice reading out loud to a therapy dog in the library. Improve literacy skills and reading confidence! For ages 4 and up. Only one person or one adult/ one child can visit with the Paws for Love volunteer and dog at a time. Everyone must properly wear a mask and sanitize hands before petting the therapy animal. Call 716-683-1120 or stop in to sign-up for a 15 minute reading session. 

LEGO Club
Saturday, October 9, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. (Session 1) & 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Session 2)
Join us for an in-person 30 minute Lego Club. Each month we will have a theme to build your own creation to be displayed in the library. Children will have their own set of bricks. Ages 7-11. Masks are required. Registration is required and space is limited. Please stop in or call to sign up.

Hull House Activity Day
Saturday, October 9, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Children are invited to enjoy crafts and games of the early 19th century. Play pioneer games, make a lavender sachet, learn about corn, and much more! Stop in any time between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. to join in on the fun. For all ages. No registration required. Masks are required for everyone.

Donated Book & Bake Sale
Saturday, October 16, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
$10 a bag; baked goods until sold out.
Sunday, October 17, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
$5 a bag.
Bags will be provided. Individual items: $1.00 hardcovers and media; 50¢ paperbacks and children's books. We will be complying with all COVID-19 mandates.

Author Book Talk & Book Giveaway
Wednesday, October 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Local author, Bonnie Parsons, will be giving a talk about her book "Young Love: An Adoptee's Memoir". Her presentation will cover her search for her birth family and copies of her book will be available at no cost to attendees. No registration required.

Halloween Spooktacular Party
Saturday, October 23, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Stop in anytime for a frightfully good time with crafts, games, and a mad scientist table. For all ages. No registration required. Masks required. Don't forget your costume!

Mahjong Club
Every Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Play the Chinese version of Mahjong. Masks required. No registration necessary.

The Lancaster Public Library
Celebrating 200 Years: 1821-2021
Read about our history

200th Anniversary Countdown