Lancaster Public Library

Lancaster Public Library Lancaster Public Library inspires, empowers, and strengthens our community.

As one of the oldest public libraries in the country, Lancaster Public Library has been providing library service in Lancaster for over 260 years. Lancaster Public Library has two locations in the county including the main branch at 151 N. Queen Street in the City of Lancaster and the Mountville Branch at 120 College Avenue in Mountville. Our free public library services include:
»Adult, children,

and teen books, periodicals, and audiovisuals from a collection of nearly 200,000 individual items
»Research, business, and historical reference collections
»Research assistance by skilled professional reference librarians
»Educational, recreational, and cultural programs and events for children, teens, adults, and seniors in collaboration community organizations
»Public computers with Internet access, as well as computer instruction for adults
»Online access to databases
»Public meeting rooms for approved community activities
»Quiet research and training areas
»Special language collections

In addition to basic library services, Lancaster Public Library offers special and unique information services to specific groups of individuals in the community like the Business & Reference Center, the World Languages Collection, and the Autism Resource Collection.

For the last four years, the Lancaster Public Library - Mountville Branch has been known by some as the Fish Library. Wi...
05/30/2026

For the last four years, the Lancaster Public Library - Mountville Branch has been known by some as the Fish Library. With the kickoff to Summer Reading 2026 officially one week away, the time has come to freshen up the windows and say goodbye to the Fish Library 👋🐟📚

New designs are going up, under the watchful eye of Mirabel. Any ideas what they might be?

Unlike today’s weather, it looks like blue skies and near perfect temperatures on Saturday. That’s good news for everyon...
05/27/2026

Unlike today’s weather, it looks like blue skies and near perfect temperatures on Saturday. That’s good news for everyone planning to attend the Friends of Lancaster Public Library Family Scavenger Hunt!

With Ewell Plaza as a starting point, families will embark on a journey to discover four (not so) hidden locations around Lancaster City. Along the way, collect a sticker for each location you find. Once you’ve completed your map, return to Ewell Plaza to claim your prize.

Good to know info:
* Maps will be available outside the library on Saturday (5/30) from 10-11:30AM
* No need to pre-register, just walk up and pay $5/child (cash or credit cards accepted)
* This event is perfect for families with children of all ages, but we think kiddos aged 4-12 will enjoy it the most
* All stops are within easy walking distance of the library, and they are also different from last year
* Prizes must be collected by noon on 5/30
* All proceeds support Lancaster Public Library

05/26/2026

Get to know Jill - Lancaster Public Library's Director of Library Services 🌪️🎶

Head to YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to listen now.

05/24/2026

What are you reading today? 📚

We’re closed on Monday (and Saturday in Mountville), but we’re open today (5/22) until 5PM. Stop by to stock up on mater...
05/22/2026

We’re closed on Monday (and Saturday in Mountville), but we’re open today (5/22) until 5PM. Stop by to stock up on materials for the long weekend — books, DVDs, board games, museum passes, you name it (within reason 😉)!

05/18/2026

Amanda and Theodore’s discussion of their current reads takes an unexpected turn 🎧📖 Head to YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to listen now. Come back next week for the conclusion of Episode 8 to meet our new Director of Library Services!

05/17/2026

Did you read any good books this weekend?

This year's Summer Reading Program is one for the (prehistoric) ages! Every summer at the Lancaster Public Library, chil...
05/12/2026

This year's Summer Reading Program is one for the (prehistoric) ages!

Every summer at the Lancaster Public Library, children, teens, and families “unearth” something new — a story, an idea, or a sense of what’s possible. Unearthing a Story, this year’s Summer Reading theme, draws on the spirit of discovery, while reflecting the Library’s role in helping young readers uncover endless possibilities.

Get ready to dig into your next great story this summer — June 6-August 15 ☀️📚

Here's a small sample of what will be available for purchase at the upcoming Friends of the Mountville Library Plant Sal...
05/11/2026

Here's a small sample of what will be available for purchase at the upcoming Friends of the Mountville Library Plant Sale!

For the non-green thumb types, (I'm told) this is parsley, zucchini, and petunias 💚

Sale Days:
Friday, May 15 from 10AM-5PM
Saturday, May 16 from 10AM -12PM

Location:
Mountville Church of the Brethren
60 Clay Street, Mountville
(across the street from the Mountville Branch)

Good to know info:
Cash or check only
All proceeds benefit the Lancaster Public Library-Mountville Branch

The BIG Book Sale raises critical funding for Lancaster Public Library, and we can't do it without YOUR help! It takes d...
05/05/2026

The BIG Book Sale raises critical funding for Lancaster Public Library, and we can't do it without YOUR help! It takes dozens of volunteers to pull off an event the size of the BIG Book Sale — there is a job for (almost) everyone!

💪 We are looking for volunteers to help with set up on Wednesday, June 17 and/or Thursday, June 18. Both days begin at 9AM and will require a fair share of physical labor.

📦 We'll begin unpacking boxes on Thursday, June 18 from 2-4PM and continue on Friday, June 19 from 9AM until we finish.

🛍️ There are MANY shifts to fill during the sale - June 20-22. Shifts are typically 2-3 hours in length and are way more fun if you volunteer with a friend ☺️

Finally, we'll need help on Monday, June 22 beginning at 5PM. That's when clean up begins
📚 🧹

Visit the link in the comments below to see the online sign-up sheet and schedule your shift(s) today! And, if volunteering won’t work this year, you can help by spreading the word—both about the sale and the volunteer opportunities 😘

Address

151 N. Queen Street
Lancaster, PA
17603

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17173942651

Alerts

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