History & Mission

Our mission is to enrich the lives of our community members by creating an environment for growth, discovery and connection.

The West Pittston Library was founded on September 12th, 1873. The library has had a few different locations before moving to its current location on Exeter Avenue in 1922.

The oldest library in Luzerne County, the West Pittston Library was founded on September 12, 1873 largely through the work of professor W. J. Bruce and O. F. Gaines. Originally the West Pittston Library was known as the Pittston Library Association. The library consisted of two bookshelves housed in the Pittston Post Office on Main Street, Pittston. From the post office, the library was housed in a room in the Miners Bank Building. Then in 1899, the library was moved to West Pittston. It was furnished in the Brune Block Building on lower Wyoming Avenue.

Volunteers served as librarians until 1916 when the first paid librarian, Antoinette King, was hired. In 1922, the A. B. Brown property was purchased by the library association with the help of the Woman’s Club of West Pittston. The library was moved to the new location in 1924 where it remains today. To better serve the growing and changing community, a wing was added to the library in 1961 through a donation from Edwin F. Ferris. Hurricane Agnes took her toll on the West Pittston Library in 1972. The library was flooded once again in 2011 and after a complete interior renovation, is better than ever with more comfortable seating and study areas.

What started with two shelves of books has grown to nearly 40,000 items including : books, movies, periodicals, games, and reference materials. And, let’s not forget, 24,000 digital items including: e-books, newspaper archives, and research databases. We also offer public-use computers, iPads, and copying and faxing services.

Our programming is unsurpassed and our staff makes learning fun! From technology to crafts, our adult patrons enjoy learning a new skill in a welcoming environment. Kindergarten Readiness and STEM programs entertain while educating our younger patrons while introducing them to the library.

Our community partnerships include the services of all ten county libraries and their branches through the Luzerne County Library System. We host blood drives with the American Red Cross, local historical society events, and author talks. We work with schools and daycares, local officials and businesses.

Librarians have included Antoinette King, Sarah Mason, Elizabeth Kipp, Charlotte Mason, Hazel Poe, Nancy Owens, Elsie Ellis, Myra Simons, Helen Dietrich, Barbara Weiskerger, Lauren Harris Grego, Brad Mahalsky, Marie Hoover, Betty Kasulanis, Barbara Edwards, Anne Ruggles, Barbara Ries, Mary Dotter, Charlene Berti, Jennifer Bromfield, Anne Bramblett, David Bauman, and Jennifer Moran.

150 years, and we’re still growing! Ahead of us are exciting opportunities, and, as always, we invite you to grow with us.