Author: Michelle Riley

Tickets are on sale now for the All ‘FORE’ Books Mini Golf Classic in Partnership with the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre!

Get ready to try your luck at 18 unique mini-golf holes throughout the stacks of the historic Osterhout Free Library. All proceeds raised from the event directly support children’s programs and services at the library.

This event is set for Saturday – Sunday, March 22-23, 2025, from 6PM to 8PM on Saturday (for ages 21+) and from 10AM – 2PM on Sunday (all ages) at the Osterhout. There will be raffle baskets, and a $500 hole-in-one challenge.

On Saturday, March 22 from 6PM – 8PM adults (ages 21+) can enjoy the mini-golf course and a beer! $20 per person gets you a round of golf + two drink tickets. IDs will be checked at the door on Saturday, March 22.

On Sunday, March 23 from 10AM – 2PM families, kids and people of all ages can enjoy the course through the library. Sunday’s event is $5 for children and $10 for adults.

Tickets are available for purchase at the library, or online here: OSTERHOUT FREE LIBRARY | BiddingForGood Fundraising Auction

In honor of Love Your Library Month this February, we’re thrilled to offer a special promotion on Get Set, Get Ready, A Tour of Wilkes-Barre with Tony and Debi – a locally produced children’s book! For the entire month of February, you can get your copy for just $8!

This one-of-a-kind children’s book is a fun and educational way to introduce young readers to the sights, sounds and history of Wilkes-Barre, all while supporting library programs and services.

Don’t miss out – pick up your copy today and celebrate the joy of reading! Books are available for purchase at the library circulation desk.

After over a year of closure, and just in time for the 101st anniversary of the branch, the South Branch of the Osterhout Free Library is officially open in the Rolling Mill Hill neighborhood of Wilkes-Barre at 100 Parrish St. Serving more than 10,000 patrons annually, the South Branch provides a variety of services including books, movies, periodicals, public Wi-Fi, reference services, storytimes for children, a Read to a Dog program, and technology assistance for senior citizens.

Osterhout Library staff, board members and local representatives joined by patrons and the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 30th.

In early 2024, the original building experienced significant water damage, resulting in the loss of valuable materials, technology, furniture, and shelving—creating more than $50,000 in damages. Despite this setback, the dedication of library staff ensured that over 20,000 items from the collection were salvaged and preserved. Thanks to the generosity of community members and support from State Senator Marty Flynn, the South Branch will reopen better than ever.

The South Branch is located at the corner of Parrish St. and High St. in Wilkes-Barre. Operating hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:30pm – 5:30pm and Friday 12:30pm – 5:00pm. The branch is CLOSED on Wednesdays and weekends.

The Friends of the Osterhout donated $38,000 to support library programs and services! These funds will be used to provide materials for all library programs and services, including the Library of Things, School Outreach Programs and Educational Programs for All Ages.

This dedicated group of volunteers devotes many hours per week throughout the year, accepting donations, sorting books and supervising the Friends Book Shop which is open during regular library hours. Their hard work culminates in June during the week-long Annual Tent Book Sale – which has grown to be one of the library’s biggest fundraisers of the year. The Friends also host bag sales and buy one get one free sales in the book shop throughout the year, all in an effort to raise critical funds for library programs and services.

This donation marks the largest amount the Friends group has donated to the library since their inception in 1977. Funds are raised by selling books, with most being priced at just $1 or $2. It is an incredible donation, and the library is thrilled to be able to put the funds to good use.

The Friends of the Osterhout accept donations of good quality books on a year-round basis and are always in need of children’s books! Donations may be made during regular library hours.

The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre is proud to donate the proceeds from their All ‘FORE’ Books Mini Golf Classic fundraiser to the Osterhout Free Library in support of local children’s programs. Attendees enjoyed 18 fun and unique holes played within, through and around the library stacks at the Osterhout Free Library, ending with a $500 Hole-In-One challenge on Hole 18.

Due to the generosity of the community, sponsors, and attendees the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club raised a total of $8,600 to be donated to the Osterhout Free Library to benefit their Children’s Educational Outreach Programs. Save the Date for the 6th Annual All ‘FORE’ Books Mini Golf Classic on Sunday, March 23, 2025! 

The Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club has been serving the greater Wilkes-Barre community for over 100 years. The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.  

For more information about the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre, please visit our Facebook Page at @RotaryClubofWilkesBarrePA. You can also reach out to our current club president, Ahmad Ali, at rotarywilkesbarre@gmail.com.

BlueCareer by Ebscolearning is now live on the library website!  This robust database is free for all patrons with a Luzerne County Library System card!

BlueCareer provides information on more than 100 skilled trades, connects individuals with hundreds of trade schools and provides training resources for those seeking to build their trade knowledge or start a career transition. The platform also supports local employers looking for talent or seeking insights into the labor market.  Start exploring BlueCareer today:  https://app.bluerecruit.us/library/welcome/wilkes-barre

Remember, you don’t even need to set foot in the library to benefit from online resources.  Use your library card to access educational databases from BlueCareer to Foreign Languages, Movies & Documentaries with Kanopy, eBooks, Geneaology, Newspapers, Magazines and more!  See everything that your library offers online here:  https://osterhout.info/online-resources/databases/

15th Annual Brewsterhout Rooftop Party tickets are now available for purchase! Join us atop the Intermodal Parking Garage in Downtown Wilkes-Barre for an event unlike any other. We welcome local breweries and food vendors to serve their wares, all to raise money for the programs and services offered by the Osterhout Free Library throughout the year. All you can eat and all you can drink included with your ticket! Tickets are $30 per person and are available for purchase at the library or online here:  https://givebutter.com/brewsterhout24

Enter for your chance to win a trip for two to Asheville, North Carolina!  Tickets are available for purchase at the library or online at this link: https://osterhout.cbo.io

Trip includes airfare and 5 nights’ accommodations, valued at $6,000. The drawing will take place at the 20th Anniversary Gala & Auction: An Evening in the Secret Garden on Friday, September 6, 2024. You do not need to be present at the Gala to win. Must be 21+ to enter. Winning ticket may be redeemed for a $5,000 cash prize in lieu of the trip.

15th Annual Brewsterhout Rooftop Party tickets are now available for purchase! Join us atop the Intermodal Parking Garage in Downtown Wilkes-Barre for an event unlike any other. We welcome local breweries and food vendors to serve their wares, all to raise money for the programs and services offered by the Osterhout Free Library throughout the year. All you can eat and all you can drink included with your ticket! Tickets are $30 per person and are available for purchase at the library or online here:  https://givebutter.com/brewsterhout24