Luzerne County Library System Explained

Scope:Luzerne County
Established:1984[1]
Location:Osterhout Free Library
71 S. Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Pop Served:320,000
Director:Richard C. Miller
Website:http://luzernelibraries.org
References:[2] [3]

The Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) is an organization that administers ten libraries in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.[4] Founded in 1984, it is headquartered at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

Founded in 1984, the Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) is an organization that administers ten libraries in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It is headquartered at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A library card from any member library allows patrons to borrow books and media from one library and return it to another.[8]

Libraries

The library system comprises[9]

Collections

Along with permanent collections that include microfilm of old newspapers,[12] the libraries host various temporary collections of art or memorabilia.[13] [14] [15]

Services

The system has hosted lecture series about the history of the region it serves.[16] [17] It has activities for children,[18] [19] [20] [21] an annual Summer reading program,[22] [23] [24] and an annual book sale at the Osterhout Free Library.[25] The Osterhout has an immigration resource center, partially funded by grants.[26] Some activities aimed at adults have included adult coloring books.[27] [28] [29]

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Luzerne Libraries.
  2. Web site: Luzerne County Library System announces Board of Directors . Times Leader . 2015-06-19 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131525/http://www.timesleader.com/archive/258362/stories-luzerne-county-library-system-announces-board-of-directors12794-2 . 2018-02-06 . live .
  3. Web site: Luzerne County Library System . Pa211.communityos.org . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131504/https://pa211.communityos.org/zf/profile/agency/id/457713 . 2018-02-06 . live .
  4. Web site: About the Luzerne County Library System. www.luzernelibraries.org. 2018-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20180128174920/http://www.luzernelibraries.org/about.html. 2018-01-28. live.
  5. Web site: Luzerne County : Library Locations. www.luzernecounty.org. en. 2018-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012723/http://www.luzernecounty.org/living/library_system/library_locations. 2018-01-26. dead.
  6. Web site: Isaac and Elizabeth Osterhout - Arts & Living - Citizens' Voice . 25 January 2010 . Citizensvoice.com . 2019-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192050/https://www.citizensvoice.com/arts-living/isaac-and-elizabeth-osterhout-1.571427 . 2018-10-24 . live .
  7. Web site: A Brief History of the Osterhout Library . Osterhout Free Library . April 15, 2022.
  8. Web site: Library Services Luzerne County Library System. www.luzernelibraries.org. 2018-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20180202150656/http://www.luzernelibraries.org/services.html. 2018-02-02. live.
  9. Web site: Member Libraries Luzerne County Library System. www.luzernelibraries.org. 2018-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20180128174932/http://www.luzernelibraries.org/members.html. 2018-01-28. live.
  10. Web site: Back Mountain Memorial Library offers more than just books – Dallas Post | Dallas Post . Mydallaspost.com . 2018-01-31 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131504/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31620/back-mountain-memorial-library-offers-more-than-just-books . 2018-02-06 . live .
  11. Navient Foundation contributes $10,000 to Osterhout Free Library to support literacy skills for Luzerne County families Nasdaq:NAVI . Globenewswire.com . 2017-07-26 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131513/https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/07/26/1062869/0/en/Navient-Foundation-contributes-10-000-to-Osterhout-Free-Library-to-support-literacy-skills-for-Luzerne-County-families.html . 2018-02-06 . live .
  12. Web site: Out on a limb: Thanksgiving football tradition preserved at local libraries . Times Leader . 2017-11-13 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131523/http://www.timesleader.com/features/682204/out-on-a-limb-thanksgiving-football-tradition-preserved-at-local-libraries . 2018-02-06 . live .
  13. Web site: Back Mountain Memorial Library announce Winter/Spring story times – Dallas Post | Dallas Post . Mydallaspost.com . 2018-01-10 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131520/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31294/back-mountain-memorial-library-announce-winter-spring-story-times . 2018-02-06 . live .
  14. Web site: Harveys Lake memorabilia collection displayed at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post . Mydallaspost.com . 2017-10-31 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131538/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30043/harveys-lake-memorabilia-collection-displayed-at-back-mountain-memorial-library . 2018-02-06 . live .
  15. Web site: Brooke Lamberti displays drawings at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post . Mydallaspost.com . 2017-12-26 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131522/http://www.mydallaspost.com/news/31082/brooke-lamberti-displays-drawings-at-back-mountain-memorial-library . 2018-02-06 . live .
  16. Web site: Local history: the next generation . Leonarda . Bilbow . The Citizens' Voice . March 26, 2016 . April 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002628/http://citizensvoice.com/arts-living/local-history-the-next-generation-1.2022681 . February 6, 2018.
  17. Web site: Luzerne County Library System kicking off Civil War lectures . Times Leader . 2015-05-05 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131530/http://www.timesleader.com/uncategorized/17348/luzerne-county-library-system-kicking-off-civil-war-lectures . 2018-02-06 . live .
  18. Web site: Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre hosts pumpkin decorating event . Times Leader . 2016-10-26 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131527/http://www.timesleader.com/features/600667/osterhout-free-library-in-wilkes-barre-hosts-pumpkin-decorating-event . 2018-02-06 . live .
  19. Web site: Back Mountain Memorial Library hosts Circuits, Sinterklaas and Dreidels event – Dallas Post | Dallas Post . Mydallaspost.com . 2017-12-20 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131447/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30998/back-mountain-memorial-library-hosts-circuits-sinterklaas-and-dreidels-event . 2018-02-06 . live .
  20. Web site: Luzerne County hometowns, Kingston: The book on this borough? Libraries, home rule . Times Leader . 2017-09-03 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131559/http://www.timesleader.com/news/674085/luzerne-county-hometowns-kingston-the-book-on-this-borough-libraries-home-rule . 2018-02-06 . live .
  21. Web site: Stamp club scares up a good time at Hoyt Library . Times Leader . 2016-10-15 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131506/http://www.timesleader.com/news/597368/stamp-club-scares-up-a-good-time-at-hoyt-library . 2018-02-06 . live .
  22. Web site: Senator John Yudichak and Family Donate to Luzerne County Library System – The Luzerne Foundation . 31 July 2015 . Luzfdn.org . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131442/http://www.luzfdn.org/yudichak-family-donate-luzerne-county-library/ . 2018-02-06 . live .
  23. Web site: Event at Pittston Memorial Library allows youngsters to read to animals . Times Leader . 2017-03-19 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131508/http://www.timesleader.com/news/644170/event-at-pittston-memorial-library-allows-youngsters-to-read-to-animals . 2018-02-06 . live .
  24. Web site: Pittston Memorial Library starts new Fangirls Fan Club where teens can channel their 'inner nerd' . Times Leader . 2016-01-03 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131602/http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/501359/pittston-memorial-library-starts-new-fangirls-fan-club-where-teens-can-channel-their-inner-nerd . 2018-02-06 . live .
  25. Web site: Tome raiders welcome: Osterhout Free Library running annual used book sale . Times Leader . 2017-06-19 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131528/http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/664091/tome-raiders-welcome-osterhout-free-library-running-annual-used-book-sale . 2018-02-06 . live .
  26. Web site: Osterhout Free Library provides resources for immigrant community . Steve . Mocarsky . The Citizens' Voice . January 21, 2018 . February 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002618/http://citizensvoice.com/news/osterhout-free-library-provides-resources-for-immigrant-community-1.2293005 . February 6, 2018.
  27. Web site: 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 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131539/http://www.timesleader.com/features/504499/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 . 2018-02-06 . live .
  28. Web site: Pittston Memorial Library holds 1980s-themed coloring event Monday – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch . Psdispatch.com . 2016-04-12 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131405/http://www.psdispatch.com/news/39777/pittston-memorial-library-holds-1980s-themed-coloring-event-monday . 2018-02-06 . live .
  29. Web site: Pittston Memorial Library celebrates National Coloring Book Day for children, adults – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch . Psdispatch.com . 2016-08-05 . 2018-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002538/http://www.psdispatch.com/news/44449/pittston-memorial-library-celebrates-national-coloring-book-day-for-children-adults . 2018-02-06 . live .

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