lnsider view of this extraordinary building! 30 minute tours offered on the hour, starting at 10 a.m. (last tour at 3 p.m.)  led by Library staff, will begin at the Washington Street main entrance and will include an overview of Library services and history, The Grosvenor Room local history/genealogy area, and a peek at the massive behind-the-scenes Tiers where the books are stored. A hands-on activity for kids/families will be offered.

The Central Library at 1 Lafayette Square opened in 1964 and replaces an earlier Library (in service 1887-1963) on this highly visible site in the middle of Downtown. At this location (previously the site of Erie County’s earliest courthouse and jail), Library services co‐ existed with the early collections that originated today’s Buffalo Museum of Science,
the Buffalo History Museum, and the Buffalo AKG Art Callery― a true cultural center for Buffalo!
The present Library was designed by local firm Kideney Architects to house an urban library branch and the centralized collections and functions of today’s Erie County― wide, 37-site Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System. Its unique design encompasses 400,000 square feet of space-2 city blocks big and 5 stories ta‖ (2 of the floors are non― public storage areas for over 3 million items), featuring 57 miles of shelves and the Library’s peerless 40,000 item Rare Books & Special Collections. Display areas, office spaces for Library staff and 6 co-tenants, community meeting rooms, computer training  lab, Launch Pad makerspace, and a 300-seat Auditorium are based here.

Back to Doors Open Buffalo 2024 Building List

Register for Doors Open Buffalo 2024