Local libraries get helping hand in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Over $200,000 was awarded to local libraries on Monday in Luzerne County to help them keep their doors open.

The funding was made possible through an LSA grant.

Senator Marty Flynn, along with Eddie Day Pashinski were on hand for the event where officials announced funding for a family restroom to be built in the children’s wing of the Osterhout Library in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The Osterhout Free Library received a $131,000 grant to make improvements to the historical building while the Bishop Memorial Library received a $150,000 grant to replace their aging roof.

“It will be a huge help because like Will said, our archives are so very important, and we constantly worried about whether there is water coming in somewhere. We have lost quite a bit of stuff,” said Luzerne County Historical Society Assistant Director Mary Walsh.

The Luzerne County Historical Society had to close its museum recently due to mold found in the basement, which was related to the leaking roof. This grant will go towards those repairs.

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