Luzerne County Library System
LocationOsterhout Free Library
71 S. Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
ScopeLuzerne County
Established1986
Access and use
Population served320,000
Other information
DirectorRichard C. Miller
Websitehttp://luzernelibraries.org
References: [1][2][3]
Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre

The Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) is an organization that administers ten libraries in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.[1] Founded in 1984, it is headquartered at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[1][4] Along with hosting various permanent and temporary collections of books and media, the member libraries provide various services and activities.

Description

Isaac Smith Osterhout willed a substantial portion of his estate for the establishment of a free public library.[5] In 1887, the board of directors hired Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey decimal system, to act as an adviser. Dewey recommended that the board buy the First Presbyterian Church, an edifice built in 1849, and use it for approximately 10 years until permanent arrangements could be made. As it happened, this became the permanent arrangement. The Gothic architecture of the church proved quite suitable for a library. The library trustees hired Hannah Packard James to be the first head librarian and assigned her the task of organizing and preparing the library for its grand opening. The original library collection (approximately 10,000 volumes) consisted of books from Osterhout’s personal collection, part of the Atheneum (a local subscription library), and 9,500 volumes purchased from Charles Scribner and Sons. The Osterhout Free Library finally opened its doors to the public on January 29, 1889 and was one of the first libraries in Northeastern Pennsylvania.[6]

Founded in 1984, the Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) is an organization that administers ten libraries in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.[1] It is headquartered at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[1][4] A library card from any member library allows patrons to borrow books and media from one library and return it to another.[7]

Libraries

The library system comprises[8]

Collections

Along with permanent collections that include microfilm of old newspapers,[11] the libraries host various temporary collections of art or memorabilia.[12][13][14]

Services

The system has hosted lecture series about the history of the region it serves.[15][16] It has activities for children,[17][12][18][19][20] an annual Summer reading program,[21][22][23] and an annual book sale at the Osterhout Free Library.[24] The Osterhout has an immigration resource center, partially funded by grants.[25] Some activities aimed at adults have included adult coloring books.[26][27][28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "About the Luzerne County Library System". www.luzernelibraries.org. Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  2. ↑ "Luzerne County Library System announces Board of Directors". Times Leader. 2015-06-19. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  3. ↑ "Luzerne County Library System". Pa211.communityos.org. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  4. 1 2 "Luzerne County : Library Locations". www.luzernecounty.org. Archived from the original on 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  5. ↑ "Isaac and Elizabeth Osterhout - Arts & Living - Citizens' Voice". Citizensvoice.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  6. ↑ "A Brief History of the Osterhout Library". Osterhout Free Library. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Library Services | Luzerne County Library System". www.luzernelibraries.org. Archived from the original on 2018-02-02. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  8. ↑ "Member Libraries | Luzerne County Library System". www.luzernelibraries.org. Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  9. ↑ "Back Mountain Memorial Library offers more than just books – Dallas Post | Dallas Post". Mydallaspost.com. 2018-01-31. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  10. ↑ "Navient Foundation contributes $10,000 to Osterhout Free Library to support literacy skills for Luzerne County families Nasdaq:NAVI". Globenewswire.com. 2017-07-26. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  11. ↑ "Out on a limb: Thanksgiving football tradition preserved at local libraries". Times Leader. 2017-11-13. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  12. 1 2 "Back Mountain Memorial Library announce Winter/Spring story times – Dallas Post | Dallas Post". Mydallaspost.com. 2018-01-10. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  13. ↑ "Harveys Lake memorabilia collection displayed at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post". Mydallaspost.com. 2017-10-31. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  14. ↑ "Brooke Lamberti displays drawings at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post". Mydallaspost.com. 2017-12-26. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  15. ↑ Bilbow, Leonarda (March 26, 2016). "Local history: the next generation". The Citizens' Voice. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Luzerne County Library System kicking off Civil War lectures". Times Leader. 2015-05-05. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  17. ↑ "Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre hosts pumpkin decorating event". Times Leader. 2016-10-26. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  18. ↑ "Back Mountain Memorial Library hosts Circuits, Sinterklaas and Dreidels event – Dallas Post | Dallas Post". Mydallaspost.com. 2017-12-20. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  19. ↑ "Luzerne County hometowns, Kingston: The book on this borough? Libraries, home rule". Times Leader. 2017-09-03. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  20. ↑ "Stamp club scares up a good time at Hoyt Library". Times Leader. 2016-10-15. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  21. ↑ "Senator John Yudichak and Family Donate to Luzerne County Library System – The Luzerne Foundation". Luzfdn.org. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  22. ↑ "Event at Pittston Memorial Library allows youngsters to read to animals". Times Leader. 2017-03-19. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  23. ↑ "Pittston Memorial Library starts new Fangirls Fan Club where teens can channel their 'inner nerd'". Times Leader. 2016-01-03. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  24. ↑ "Tome raiders welcome: Osterhout Free Library running annual used book sale". Times Leader. 2017-06-19. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  25. ↑ Mocarsky, Steve (January 21, 2018). "Osterhout Free Library provides resources for immigrant community". The Citizens' Voice. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Adult coloring books are a hit, and Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock and Pittston Memorial Library are making the activity a social experience". Times Leader. 2016-01-18. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  27. ↑ "Pittston Memorial Library holds 1980s-themed coloring event Monday – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch". Psdispatch.com. 2016-04-12. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  28. ↑ "Pittston Memorial Library celebrates National Coloring Book Day for children, adults – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch". Psdispatch.com. 2016-08-05. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-02-05.

41°14′46″N 75°53′06″W / 41.246037°N 75.884899°W / 41.246037; -75.884899

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