Old Perry Square Library Erie, PA

Erie County Public Library, Erie, PA. Photo by Chester Wasielewski. ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

I spent many, many hours in the old public library at Perry Square in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. This building is on the corner of South Park Row and French Street. It was dedicated on February 16, 1899. The building was renovated and is now part of the Federal Courthouse complex.

When you entered the heavy front doors, you walked up a few stairs and came to a large area enclosed by a counter that was used as a circulation desk. (If you miss the old Perry Square library, be sure to visit the State Library in Harrisburg. It's the best old-school library, next to the Carnegie Library in Oakland/Pittsburgh, PA.)

The fiction room was on the first floor on the right side of the above photo. The Reference Room was on the left side. The Plavcan Art Gallery was in the center on the second floor. The Children's Room was in the basement.

There is a neon sign for Canfield Auto Radiator Shop near the lower left corner. They were located at 623 French Street.

The annual Friends of the Library book sale was held in the parking lot on the west side of the library, under a big tent.

Here's an old postcard of the Erie Public Library:
http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/06/two-books-for-you-erie-public-library.html