Buffalo & Erie County Public Library – Central Library

A little about the Central Library…

Extending two city blocks in length, encompassing more than 400,000 square feet of floor space and more than 58 miles of shelving, the Central Library at Lafayette Square in the heart of Downtown Buffalo is headquarters of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system. Completed in 1964, this facility houses approximately 2 million volumes, special exhibition rooms for rare and valuable materials like the Mark Twain Room and the Rare Books Room. The Launch Pad MakerSpace also features innovative technology such as laser cutting, computer programming, 3D printing, media production, sewing machines and collaborative work spaces.

The Library is within walking distance of other Downtown destinations, including Sahlen Field, Shea's Performing Arts Center, and many restaurants. Lafayette Square station on the NFTA Metro Rail line is one block west of the Washington Street entrance to the Library — you can take a trip to Canalside, where you might stop by Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum! A visit to the Central Library is definitely worth a stop Downtown! Oh, and parking meters are free on Saturdays!

A little about Children's Services & Outreach…

The Central Library Children's Department hosts free children's events on a regular basis including seasonal programs, performers and activities all centered around celebrating and promoting literacy. We have thousands of children's books, DVDs, audiobooks, and early reading materials. There is even a reference desk just for the Kids' Space!