Isaías González-Soto Branch Library

Library Info
280 Porter Ave
Buffalo, NY 14201
United States
Located on the corner of Porter Ave. and Prospect Ave. Parking Lot on Prospect Ave with 2 accessible spaces and 17 other spaces.
NFTA Bus Route: 5 & 22
NFTA Trip Planner
Computers, Printing & Faxing:
- Free Public Wifi
- Network - BECPL2
- Password - librarywifi
- 19 Public Access Computers
- 2 Scanners
- 4 Children's Computers
- 1 Online Catalog Computer
- Microsoft Office Applications
- Printing, including Mobile Printing:
- 10 cents per page Black & White
- 25 cents per page Color
- Cash Only
- Copier (Black & White only)
- Copier (Black & White only)
- 15 cents per side - Letter (8.5 x 11 inches)
- 30 centers per side - Legal (8.5 x 14 inches)
- Cash Only
- Fax Machine
- $1.75 for the 1st page + $1.00 for each additional page.
- 20 page maximum per fax
- Cash or Card
"What can I do at a Public Access Computer?"
Meeting and Study Rooms:
- Study Room
- Capacity 9
- 2 hour reservations
- Call 716-882-1537 or Sign up in person, no application needed
- Auditorium, accessible stage
- Capacity 92
- Requires application/reservation (see below)
- Small Meeting Room
- Capacity 27
- Requires application/reservation (see below)
Download the policies associated with using our Auditorium and Meeting Room:
Facility Use Policy
This document must be read by everyone planning to use a space in a library for a meeting.
Rules of Conduct (pdf)
This document must be read by everyone planning to use a space in a library for a meeting.
Application and Fee Structure (pdf)
What's Special About the Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Library?
- Outlets and free wifi throughout building
- Open floor plan with plenty of natural light
- Indoor mural by Angelee Vargas
- Auditorium with accessible stage, meeting room, and study room
- Located next to Prospect Park
- Spanish language materials
- Language kits, including English as a Second Language (ESL), Spanish, French, Arabic, and Somali.
What’s Happening
Isaías González-Soto Branch Library
The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library is temporarily closed
for complete air conditioner replacement.Public Meeting (within Board of Trusees Meeting)
for the purpose of input regarding naming auditorium after Dr. Tamara Alsace
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room at Central Library
1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203Public notice: The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc. has submitted a request to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library to name the auditorium at the Isaías González-Soto Branch Library located at 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, after Dr. Tamara Alsace.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Board of Trustees will host a Public Meeting for the purpose of input regarding the request to name the auditorium at the Isaías González-Soto Branch Library after Dr. Tamara Alsace.
The Public Meeting will be held during the the Library System Board Meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room at the Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Renaming Library Buildings, Spaces and Programs Policy & Guidelines and Procedures for Naming Spaces withing City of Buffalo Libraries available here: buffalolib.org/policies/becpl-policies
Please visit your improved Isaías González-Soto Branch Library located at 280 Porter Avenue in Buffalo, NY.
There is a parking lot available next to the library (enter the lot via Prospect Avenue).Upcoming Events
Individuals in need of an accommodation may contact the ADA Coordinator at access@buffalolib.org within 7 days of the program
FREE Kid's Theatre Classes
by 2nd Generation Theatre Academy
Mondays
4:00pm-5:00pm
October 20 - December 15
& February 23 - March 30Join professional theatre instructors for free kid's theatre classes on our very own private stage at Isaías González-Soto Branch Library.
Please register on the following page (scroll to the bottom and choose "Sign up for Classes at Gonzalez-Soto): www.secondgenerationtheatre.com/kids-classes/Hispanic Heritage Council Music Academy
Mondays
4:00pm - 5:30pm
during the academic yearJoin the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY for their music academy for youth ages 12 to 17 years old in our private meeting room.
Registration Required, visit https://hispanicheritagewny.org/music-academy.php to register.
Isaías Craft Café
Drop-in
2nd Wednesdays 5:00pm-7:00pm
(beginning in November)Enjoy a featured world snack and our coffee/tea bar. Unwind while listening to selections from the Library's historic record collection. Make the featured nostalgic craft (think friendship bracelets, boondoggle, bead buddies, fuse beads) or bring your own project to work on!
LEGO Club
3rd Wednesdays
5:30pm-7:00pmChildren 1.5 years old and older make their very own LEGO build and display it in the library until the following month. We have Duplo Blocks suitable for ages 1.5-3 years and LEGO Bricks suitable for ages 4 and up. Adult supervision is required.
Call 716-882-1537 or sign up online at tinyurl.com/IGS-Events.Board Game Club
4th Wednesdays
5:30pm - 7:00pmAll Ages - Play one of our classic games or try one out from Central’s Gaming Unplugged (available for checkout)!
Halloween Film: Frankenweenie (2012, rated PG)
Thursday, October 30th
4:00pm - 5:30pmJoin us for a viewing of Frankenweenie (2012, rated PG) for a fun spooky film right before Halloween. There will be snacks!
"Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. But then, tragedy strikes, and Sparky shuffles off this mortal coil. Victor is heartbroken, but his science teacher (Martin Landau) gives him an idea of how to jolt old Sparky back to life. The experiment is successful, and all goes well, until Victor's fellow students steal his secret and use it to resurrect other dead animals -- with monstrous consequences." Description from RottenTomatoes
Take and Make Crafts
Drop-in throughout week
New drop every MondayNew Take and Make crafts drop every Monday at Isaías González-Soto Branch Library.
Find them by the holds shelf and self-checkout throughout the week until supplies run out.
No registration needed, just stop by and take a craft!Scavenger Hunt
Drop-in
New theme every monthThere is an ongoing scavenger hunt for children and tweens in the children's area.
Stop by any time during open hours to start hunting!Book Sale
There is an ongoing book sale in the lower level of the library. $0.25 per item, or $1.00 per bag of items.
Board Info
Buffalo Branches Board Info
Library System Information on the Board of Trustees
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System Board of Trustees is the governing body for the downtown Central Library, and the eight branch libraries located in the city of Buffalo. These include: Crane, Dudley, East Clinton, Frank E. Merriweather, Jr., North Park, Elaine M. Panty Branch Library, Isaías González-Soto Branch Library, and the Leroy R. Coles, Jr. Branch Library.
All System Board of Trustee meetings and committee meetings are open to the public