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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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 Training

    Tuesday, January 13, 3:00-7:00 PM

    Learn a new tech skill, master your phone, and more with our tech trainer! 

    Free program open to everyone. 

    Registration required - call the library at (716)-823-0630 or stop by the front desk. Only four slots available, so hurry!

    Idols vs. Demons Party

    Saturday, January 17, 1:00 PM

    Do you like KPop Demon Hunter? Then you'll love our next kids party!

    We'll have crafts, books, games, and MORE all set to your fave songs!

    This is a free program open to youth ages 6+. No registration required.

    Sensory Storytime

    Saturday, January 31, 11:00 - 11:30 AM

    Join us for an adaptive storytime experience for youth with light and noise sensitivities. Participants can expect gentle engagement with visual aids.

    All ages and abilities are welcome.

    Note: Sensory Storytime is free, but registration is REQUIRED due to the nature of the program.

    Contact us at 716-823-0630 or stop by the front desk to register. 


    Toddler Time

    January 6 - February 27

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

    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. 

    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: Book Folding Hedgehogs

    Tuesday, January 6, 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!

    Free program. Ages 18+ only.

    BINGO!

    Saturday, January 3, 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, January 3, 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.

    Free and open to kids ages 6-12.

    Bilingual Youth Social

    Wednesday, January 14, 5:00 PM

    Join our new bilingual youth club! We'll be telling stories and having conversations, all while learning new words and phrases in English and Arabic! 

    Free and open to youth of all ages.

    Tuesday Murder Club: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

    Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 PM

    A monthly book club exploring the murder genre.

    Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?

    Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong enjoys some light detective work (AKA checking up on her son to see if he's dating anybody yet), but when Vera wakes up one morning to a dead man in her tea shop, it's going to take more than a strong Longjing to fix things.

    Knowing she'll do a better job than the police ever could, Vera decides its up to her to find the killer.

    Free and open to the public. 

    Stitch Salon

    Thursday, January 15, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Join fellow crocheters, knitters, and other fiber artists on the main floor of the Lackawanna Library.

    Bring your latest project or start something new, and make some new crafty friends!

    All experience levels welcome! There is no formal instruction, but feel free to ask for tips and share ideas.

    Free and open to the public. 

    Note: Not a librarian-run program.

    Teen Haunt

    Saturday, January 24, 1:00 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: Lucky Origami Star Jars

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

    Evening Cup Book Club: Circe by Madeline Miller

    Wednesday, January 28, 6:00 PM

    A monthly book club that's accompanied by a cup of tea. Tea bags and tea cups provided. (Or bring your own if you'd like!) 

    In the house of Helios, god of the sun, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - neither powerful like her father nor viciously alluring like her mother. Soon, she discovers that she does possess power: the power of witchcraft, which menaces the gods themselves.

    Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose once and for all whether she belongs with the gods she is born from or with the mortals she has come to love.

    Note: This month, we will be using Book Club in a Bag - stop by the front desk to pick up your copy!

    Free and open to the public. 

    Spice Explorers Spice of the Month Club

    December's Spice of the Month: Bay Leaf!

    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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