Friends of the Osterhout Donate $40,000

The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library are delighted to announce that they were able to donate $40,000 to the Osterhout Free Library just before the end of 2025! 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.

The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library are a dedicated group of volunteers devoting many hours per week throughout the year, accepting book donations, sorting books into over 60 categories, 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 (Save the date for June 12-20, 2026). 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. All of the 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. For donations of 5 or more boxes of books, please call the library ahead of time – (570) 823-0156.

Joining the Friends group as a member starts at just $15/individual membership and can help provide books and educational opportunities to local children, supports staff education and development, helps to purchase items for the library and so much more! To learn more about membership or volunteering your time with the Friends of the Osterhout, please contact Linda Kubiak, Friends of the OFL President at lmkubiak@hotmail.com or call the library at 570-823-0156. All members of the Friends of the Osterhout Free Library receive free entry to the Annual Tent Sale Preview Night! 

For more information on the Osterhout Free Library and the vital services they have been providing Luzerne County for over 136 years, visit www.osterhout.info or stop in for a visit. The Osterhout Free Library is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Basket of Cheer Ticket Sales Extended

There’s still time to get your tickets for the Holiday Basket of Cheer Beer Raffle!

This is your chance to win an awesome assortment of brews just in time for the holidays or for your football parties!

Purchase 1 ticket for $10:  https://square.link/u/rH8DRqR0

Purchase 6 tickets for $50: https://square.link/u/Z4G6P9rL

We’ve extended the drawing date and our lucky Grand Prize ($300 value), 2nd prize, and 3rd prize winners will now be drawn on Friday, December 19th!

Must be 21+ plus to participate.

Tickets available for purchase online through the links above or at the Central Branch library – 71 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre.

Give A Little, Change A Lot: It’s Giving Tuesday!

For over 136 years, the Osterhout Free Library has served as a welcoming hub of knowledge, opportunity, and connection for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area and Luzerne County. Thanks to your generous support, we’ve continued to modernize our services, expand our reach, and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve.
DONATE TODAY: https://www.mygiving.net/campaign/osterhoutgivingtuesday2025
(As you make your donation, search your employer in the built-in search bar to see if your gift may be eligible for a match!)
Modernizing toward the future remains one of our greatest challenges — and greatest opportunities. Your #GivingTuesday gift helps us preserve the unique architectural heritage of the Osterhout while creating a well-designed, modern library equipped to meet the needs of our patrons in an ever-changing world.

This year, we’re especially proud to share that the library has expanded its workforce development and career resources to better serve job seekers, students, career changers and lifelong learners. With your Luzerne County Library Card, you now have free access to two new tools:

  • BlueCareer – helping individuals explore trades, technical fields, and career pathways aligned with their interests and skills.

  • Job and Career Accelerator – offering resume builders, practice interviews, career outlooks, scholarship opportunities, and more to support every stage of career growth.
Start exploring these extensive workforce development resources today:  Databases – Osterhout Free Library
With your continued generosity, the Osterhout will keep progressing and inspiring patrons into the future — modernizing our spaces, adding new technology, expanding educational programs, and supporting every branch in delivering outstanding service to the people of Luzerne County.
Questions about making a Giving Tuesday or year-end gift? Contact Michelle Riley, Director of Development at mriley@luzernelibraries.org or (570) 823-0156 ext. 218

Get Ready! Osterhout Library Online Auction Opens Sept. 2

The wait is over—our annual online auction opens for bidding on Tuesday, September 2 at 12:00 PM!

Dozens of exciting items, experiences, and packages will be up for grabs, with all proceeds benefiting the Osterhout Free Library and helping us continue to provide vital programs and services to our community.

** Auction closes Saturday, September 6 at 12:00 PM.

Don’t miss your chance to bid big and give back!

** Pro Tip: Pre-register on the auction site today so you’ll be ready to jump in the moment bidding opens.

https://www.biddingforgood.com/osterhout-lib-pa

Thank you for supporting the Osterhout Free Library—every bid supports knowledge, literacy, and lifelong learning.

Brewsterhout Tickets Now on Sale!

The Osterhout Free Library is thrilled to announce our 16th Annual Brewsterhout Rooftop Party! Please mark your calendar for Friday, October 3, 2025, atop the Intermodal Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre. We are very much looking forward to this great celebration of our library and local businesses.

The Brewsterhout Rooftop Party is a vital fundraiser for the Osterhout Free Library, your free public library, which has been serving the community for 136 years. This is a unique and exciting fundraising event that features food from local restaurants, along with beer, wine and entertainment. It is the biggest party of the year in Wilkes-Barre and we would love to have you join us for this highly-promoted and fun community event!

Tickets are now available for purchase online here: https://www.biddingforgood.com/osterhout-lib-pa/brewsterhout25  OR  at the front desk of the library! Tickets are $30 per person (21+ only). Your ticket includes all you can eat and drink at the event (while supplies last).

Thank you for participating during NEPA Gives

That’s a wrap on NEPA Gives 2025!! We are so grateful for everyone who donated, shared or liked any of our campaign posts. The library was able to raise $1,354 from 23 unique donors in just 24 hours!
Libraries are vibrant community centers that help people reach their educational, professional and recreational goals. Safe spaces to explore, imagine and grow. The Osterhout would not still be serving the City of Wilkes-Barre and all of Luzerne County 136 years after the doors were first opened if it weren’t for dedicated patrons like YOU!! Did you know the library is one of the oldest buildings in Wilkes-Barre that has been continuously open to the public??
We look forward to growing with you into the future, and your support makes it all possible.  THANK YOU

San Francisco Trip Raffle Tickets Now on Sale!

Raffle tickets for a trip for two to San Francisco to support the 21st Annual Gala & Auction: Around the World with the Osterhout are now on sale at the library! Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 and can be purchased right at the Circulation Desk at the front of the library. The winning ticket will be drawn the evening of the Gala (Friday, September 5, 2025) at approximately 9:00 p.m. that evening. The winner does not need to be present at the Gala event to win.

The winning prize is a trip voucher (valued at $6,000) for a trip for two to San Francisco. Airfare and 5 nights’ accommodations included. Winning ticket may be redeemed for $5,000 cash in lieu of the trip voucher.

Tickets may also be purchased through the Auction site here: https://www.biddingforgood.com/osterhout-lib-pa

Look for the “Order Tickets” button on the Auction site homepage    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Once you are registered to make a purchase, you will remain registered for the official Auction event which will run from Sept. 2 – Sept. 6. If you have any questions about the Gala or Auction, please contact Michelle Riley, Director of Development at mriley@luzernelibraries.org or (570) 823-0156 ext. 218

North Branch Books, Baskets & Bake Sale is on April 26th

Friends of the North Branch will be holding their annual Books, Baskets & Bake Sale fundraising event on

Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10am – 2pm at the North Branch – 28 Oliver St., Parsons, Wilkes-Barre

Great reads, great deals, over 20 raffle baskets and yummy sweets! Books are reasonably priced, ranging from $0.50 – $1.00 and DVDs are 2 for $1.00

There will be a 9-hole mini-golf course set up on the main floor of the library. Bring the whole family for fun and fundraising!

We hope to see you there in support of the Osterhout Free Library North Branch!

Library Giving Day campaign now through April 1st

Your Window to the World Since 1889 – The Osterhout Free Library is part of a coalition of libraries joining forces to raise funds through a Library Giving Day campaign. This online fundraising event is happening now through April 1, 2025 and will encourage patrons and library lovers to support their library. https://givebutter.com/t1P2Ae

This campaign reminds us that libraries serve as a cornerstone for our communities. A place of refuge for many, and a place of knowledge for all. In addition to well-loved books, our library offers innovative programs that promote lifelong learning, connect patrons to technology, and advance education and information services for everyone in the community.

Funds raised from this campaign will be put directly to work supporting weekly story times for children, creative art programs for adults, life-skills programs for teens, and technology support for senior citizens.

Help us raise much needed funds to support our free services in the community! Join the Osterhout Free Library during Library Giving Day! https://givebutter.com/t1P2Ae

We encourage patrons and library lovers to make a gift in support of your library anytime now through April 1, 2025. https://givebutter.com/t1P2Ae