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»Research, business, and historical reference collections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.

06/23/2026

Any other English majors out there? Show Amanda some support!

After two VERY successful days, the Friends of Lancaster Public Library BIG Book Sale concludes today (6/22) with 1/2 pr...
06/22/2026

After two VERY successful days, the Friends of Lancaster Public Library BIG Book Sale concludes today (6/22) with 1/2 price day.

Sale hours are 8AM-5PM at F&M’s Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.

📍 929 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster
🅿 Parking is free!
🧾 We accept cash, credit, and checks
😍 Proceeds support Lancaster Public Library

Two young patrons learned to think like engineers today during Design and Build a Bridge. They designed and built their ...
06/15/2026

Two young patrons learned to think like engineers today during Design and Build a Bridge. They designed and built their own bridges using popsicle sticks, then tested how strong they were with bricks 🧱 Over the course of the program, they saw how creativity and problem-solving help engineers build the world around us. They also discovered how much they like glue guns 😂

Did you miss today’s program at the Lancaster City Branch? We have a few spaces left in Thursday’s session at the Mountville Branch. Visit the link below to learn more!

06/14/2026

What are you reading this weekend? 📖 👀

We love a good collab and this one was 250 years in the making!Thank you to Historic Preservation Trust for partnering w...
06/10/2026

We love a good collab and this one was 250 years in the making!

Thank you to Historic Preservation Trust for partnering with us on yesterday’s America 250 themed program (Colonial Inventions & Building), as well as a few more upcoming programs this summer and fall 🇺🇸🎂

Don’t miss:
Happy Birthday America - Tuesday, July 7 at 4PM (ages 5-12)
Art Session for the "We the People" Display - Thursday, July 16 at 6PM (ages 18+)
Lancaster Founding Fathers Discussion - Friday, August 7 at 5:30PM (ages 18+)
Trailblazing Colonial Women - Tuesday, September 15 at 4PM (ages 5-12)

Since Summer Reading got off to a slow start at the Lancaster City Branch, we’re counting yesterday as the unofficial ki...
06/09/2026

Since Summer Reading got off to a slow start at the Lancaster City Branch, we’re counting yesterday as the unofficial kickoff!

Mr. Mike introduced his collection of critters to packed rooms at both Lancaster Public Library locations 🐢🦎🐍🐇🕷️

It was the first of MANY hands-on programs we have planned over the next 10 weeks! Every summer, children, teens, and families “unearth” something new at the library — 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.

Good news! Water pressure has been restored to the Lancaster City Branch, and we will be open for our regular hours toda...
06/08/2026

Good news! Water pressure has been restored to the Lancaster City Branch, and we will be open for our regular hours today from 9AM to 7PM.

Thank you for your patience!

Sadly, the library needs to close early today due to a lack of running water in the building. We hope to reopen on Monda...
06/06/2026

Sadly, the library needs to close early today due to a lack of running water in the building. We hope to reopen on Monday, June 8 when our facility is back in working order. We will provide updates as we receive them. Thank you for your patience!

This was not quite the start to Summer Reading we were hoping for, but luckily Summer Reading logs are available all summer long!

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

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

Website

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