January 24, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Osterhout Free Library South Branch to Celebrate Grand Reopening in New Location 

Wilkes-Barre, PA – After a century of serving the residents of South Wilkes-Barre, the Osterhout Free Library South Branch is excited to announce its grand reopening in a new location. On Thursday, January 30 at 12:30 p.m. the Osterhout Free Library South Branch will open to the public. The branch, now located at 100 Parrish Street in the Rolling Mill Hill neighborhood, marks a new chapter for the library after the original South Branch, a cornerstone of the community for 99 years, suffered irreparable damage from burst water pipes and flooding.

In early 2024, the 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.

“While this was an unfortunate event, we are proud to continue serving our community with a fresh start in a new, welcoming space,” said Sarah Borland, President of the Osterhout Free Library Board of Directors. “This grand reopening is not just a celebration of a new location, but also a testament to the resilience and commitment of our staff and the support of the community.”

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.

The new South Branch will open to the public at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 30. The library’s new operating hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The South Branch will be closed on Wednesdays and weekends. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the grand opening at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 30th.

For more information about the Osterhout Free Library South Branch and its services, please visit www.osterhout.info.