Luzerne County Library System

Isaac Smith Osterhout willed a substantial portion of his estate for the establishment of a free public library.{{cite web |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/arts-living/isaac-and-elizabeth-osterhout-1.571427 |title=Isaac and Elizabeth Osterhout - Arts & Living - Citizens' Voice |date=25 January 2010 |publisher=Citizensvoice.com |accessdate=2019-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192050/https://www.citizensvoice.com/arts-living/isaac-and-elizabeth-osterhout-1.571427 |archive-date=2018-10-24 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://osterhout.info/about/history/ |title=A Brief History of the Osterhout Library |website=Osterhout Free Library |access-date=April 15, 2022}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.luzernelibraries.org/services.html|title=Library Services {{!}} Luzerne County Library System|website=www.luzernelibraries.org|access-date=2018-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202150656/http://www.luzernelibraries.org/services.html|archive-date=2018-02-02|url-status=live}}

The library system comprises{{cite web|url=http://www.luzernelibraries.org/members.html|title=Member Libraries {{!}} Luzerne County Library System|website=www.luzernelibraries.org|access-date=2018-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128174932/http://www.luzernelibraries.org/members.html|archive-date=2018-01-28|url-status=live}}

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• Back Mountain Memorial Library, Back Mountain{{cite web |url=http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31620/back-mountain-memorial-library-offers-more-than-just-books |title=Back Mountain Memorial Library offers more than just books – Dallas Post | Dallas Post |publisher=Mydallaspost.com |date=2018-01-31 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131504/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31620/back-mountain-memorial-library-offers-more-than-just-books |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}
• Hazleton Area Public Library, Hazleton
• Hoyt Library, Kingston
• Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, Mountaintop
• Mill Memorial Library, Nanticoke
• Osterhout Free Library, Wilkes-Barre{{cite press release |url=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 |title=Navient Foundation contributes $10,000 to Osterhout Free Library to support literacy skills for Luzerne County families Nasdaq:NAVI |publisher=Globenewswire.com |date=2017-07-26 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}
• Pittston Memorial Library, Pittston
• Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth
• West Pittston Library, West Pittston
• Wyoming Free Library, Wyoming

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Along with permanent collections that include microfilm of old newspapers,{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/features/682204/out-on-a-limb-thanksgiving-football-tradition-preserved-at-local-libraries |title=Out on a limb: Thanksgiving football tradition preserved at local libraries |publisher=Times Leader |date=2017-11-13 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131523/http://www.timesleader.com/features/682204/out-on-a-limb-thanksgiving-football-tradition-preserved-at-local-libraries |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }} the libraries host various temporary collections of art or memorabilia.{{cite web |url=http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31294/back-mountain-memorial-library-announce-winter-spring-story-times |title=Back Mountain Memorial Library announce Winter/Spring story times – Dallas Post | Dallas Post |publisher=Mydallaspost.com |date=2018-01-10 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131520/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/31294/back-mountain-memorial-library-announce-winter-spring-story-times |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30043/harveys-lake-memorabilia-collection-displayed-at-back-mountain-memorial-library |title=Harveys Lake memorabilia collection displayed at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post |publisher=Mydallaspost.com |date=2017-10-31 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131538/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30043/harveys-lake-memorabilia-collection-displayed-at-back-mountain-memorial-library |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mydallaspost.com/news/31082/brooke-lamberti-displays-drawings-at-back-mountain-memorial-library |title=Brooke Lamberti displays drawings at Back Mountain Memorial Library – Dallas Post | Dallas Post |publisher=Mydallaspost.com |date=2017-12-26 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131522/http://www.mydallaspost.com/news/31082/brooke-lamberti-displays-drawings-at-back-mountain-memorial-library |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}

The system has hosted lecture series about the history of the region it serves.{{cite web |url=http://citizensvoice.com/arts-living/local-history-the-next-generation-1.2022681 |title=Local history: the next generation |first=Leonarda |last=Bilbow |website=The Citizens' Voice |date=March 26, 2016 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002628/http://citizensvoice.com/arts-living/local-history-the-next-generation-1.2022681 |archive-date=February 6, 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/uncategorized/17348/luzerne-county-library-system-kicking-off-civil-war-lectures |title=Luzerne County Library System kicking off Civil War lectures |publisher=Times Leader |date=2015-05-05 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131530/http://www.timesleader.com/uncategorized/17348/luzerne-county-library-system-kicking-off-civil-war-lectures |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }} It has activities for children,{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/features/600667/osterhout-free-library-in-wilkes-barre-hosts-pumpkin-decorating-event |title=Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre hosts pumpkin decorating event |publisher=Times Leader |date=2016-10-26 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131527/http://www.timesleader.com/features/600667/osterhout-free-library-in-wilkes-barre-hosts-pumpkin-decorating-event |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30998/back-mountain-memorial-library-hosts-circuits-sinterklaas-and-dreidels-event |title=Back Mountain Memorial Library hosts Circuits, Sinterklaas and Dreidels event – Dallas Post | Dallas Post |publisher=Mydallaspost.com |date=2017-12-20 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131447/http://www.mydallaspost.com/features/life/30998/back-mountain-memorial-library-hosts-circuits-sinterklaas-and-dreidels-event |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/674085/luzerne-county-hometowns-kingston-the-book-on-this-borough-libraries-home-rule |title=Luzerne County hometowns, Kingston: The book on this borough? Libraries, home rule |publisher=Times Leader |date=2017-09-03 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131559/http://www.timesleader.com/news/674085/luzerne-county-hometowns-kingston-the-book-on-this-borough-libraries-home-rule |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/597368/stamp-club-scares-up-a-good-time-at-hoyt-library |title=Stamp club scares up a good time at Hoyt Library |publisher=Times Leader |date=2016-10-15 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131506/http://www.timesleader.com/news/597368/stamp-club-scares-up-a-good-time-at-hoyt-library |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }} an annual Summer reading program,{{cite web |url=http://www.luzfdn.org/yudichak-family-donate-luzerne-county-library/ |title=Senator John Yudichak and Family Donate to Luzerne County Library System – The Luzerne Foundation |date=31 July 2015 |publisher=Luzfdn.org |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131442/http://www.luzfdn.org/yudichak-family-donate-luzerne-county-library/ |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/644170/event-at-pittston-memorial-library-allows-youngsters-to-read-to-animals |title=Event at Pittston Memorial Library allows youngsters to read to animals |publisher=Times Leader |date=2017-03-19 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131508/http://www.timesleader.com/news/644170/event-at-pittston-memorial-library-allows-youngsters-to-read-to-animals |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/501359/pittston-memorial-library-starts-new-fangirls-fan-club-where-teens-can-channel-their-inner-nerd |title=Pittston Memorial Library starts new Fangirls Fan Club where teens can channel their 'inner nerd' |publisher=Times Leader |date=2016-01-03 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }} and an annual book sale at the Osterhout Free Library.{{cite web |url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/664091/tome-raiders-welcome-osterhout-free-library-running-annual-used-book-sale |title=Tome raiders welcome: Osterhout Free Library running annual used book sale |publisher=Times Leader |date=2017-06-19 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131528/http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/664091/tome-raiders-welcome-osterhout-free-library-running-annual-used-book-sale |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }} The Osterhout has an immigration resource center, partially funded by grants.{{cite web |url=http://citizensvoice.com/news/osterhout-free-library-provides-resources-for-immigrant-community-1.2293005 |title=Osterhout Free Library provides resources for immigrant community |first=Steve |last=Mocarsky |website=The Citizens' Voice |date=January 21, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002618/http://citizensvoice.com/news/osterhout-free-library-provides-resources-for-immigrant-community-1.2293005 |archive-date=February 6, 2018}} Some activities aimed at adults have included adult coloring books.{{cite web |url=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 |title=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 |publisher=Times Leader |date=2016-01-18 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.psdispatch.com/news/39777/pittston-memorial-library-holds-1980s-themed-coloring-event-monday |title=Pittston Memorial Library holds 1980s-themed coloring event Monday – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch |publisher=Psdispatch.com |date=2016-04-12 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131405/http://www.psdispatch.com/news/39777/pittston-memorial-library-holds-1980s-themed-coloring-event-monday |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.psdispatch.com/news/44449/pittston-memorial-library-celebrates-national-coloring-book-day-for-children-adults |title=Pittston Memorial Library celebrates National Coloring Book Day for children, adults – The Sunday Dispatch | The Sunday Dispatch |publisher=Psdispatch.com |date=2016-08-05 |accessdate=2018-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002538/http://www.psdispatch.com/news/44449/pittston-memorial-library-celebrates-national-coloring-book-day-for-children-adults |archive-date=2018-02-06 |url-status=live }}

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Category:Libraries in Pennsylvania

Category:Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Category:1984 establishments in Pennsylvania