Lackawanna County Children's Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lackawanna County Children's Library
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The former church in 2013
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 520 Vine St., Scranton, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Albert J. Ward |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000467 |
| Added to NRHP | May 9, 1988 |
The Lackawanna County Children's Library is a special place for kids in Scranton, Pennsylvania. You can find it at 520 Vine Street. This beautiful building was first built in 1915. It used to be a church and is famous for its old-fashioned, grand style called Classical Revival architecture.
History of the Building
From Church to Library
The building that is now the Children's Library was originally a church. It was built for the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Scranton. The church opened its doors on February 21, 1915. An architect named Albert J. Ward designed the building. It was made from Indiana limestone and had pretty stained glass windows. Inside, there was fancy wood and plaster work.
By 1981, the church group had become very small. They decided to move their services to a different building. This meant the large church building was put up for sale. People in the community had many ideas for what it could become. Some thought it would make a great museum or an art gallery. Others suggested it could be a place to store the city's important historical items.
Becoming a Children's Library
In April 1985, Lackawanna County bought the old church building. They wanted to turn it into a library. In August 1986, the Lackawanna County Library System received a special grant. This money helped them change the church into a perfect space for a library.
During the construction, workers found some interesting things. They discovered old bibles and other books hidden in the building's cornerstone. A cornerstone is a special stone laid at the start of a building project. Over the next year, the church was completely changed. It became the wonderful Lackawanna County Children's Library we know today. On May 9, 1988, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
See also
- Scranton Public Library
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
