South Branch Now Open in New Location
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.