Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Hours - All 37 Branches
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Last Updated: December 2025 | Verified by Library Hours 24 Editorial Team
Your complete guide to Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) hours. With 37 locations serving over 900,000 residents across Erie County, B&ECPL is one of New York State's largest library systems. From the stunning Central Library in downtown Buffalo's Lafayette Square to neighborhood branches throughout the region, plus world-class university libraries at UB and Canisius, Buffalo offers exceptional library resources. This guide covers every location from the city center to suburban communities.
Buffalo Central Library
Central Library (Downtown Buffalo)
Address: 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 858-8900
The Central Library is B&ECPL's flagship location in the heart of downtown Buffalo. This architectural landmark houses extensive special collections including the Grosvenor Room for rare books, the Mark Twain Room with manuscripts and first editions, and one of New York's finest genealogy research centers. The library offers stunning views of Lafayette Square and easy access via Metro Rail.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sept-May) |
Special Collections: Grosvenor Rare Book Room, Mark Twain Room, Genealogy, Local History, Music
Buffalo City Branches
Crane Branch Library
Address: 633 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 882-1537
Located in the vibrant Elmwood Village neighborhood, Crane serves one of Buffalo's most walkable communities with strong arts and literature programming.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
North Park Branch
Address: 975 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216
Phone: (716) 875-3748
Serving the North Park and Hertel Avenue shopping district with popular children's programs and community events.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Niagara Branch
Address: 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 882-1537
West Side branch near the Buffalo waterfront serving a diverse, multilingual community.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
East Clinton Branch
Address: 1929 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
Phone: (716) 823-3382
Serving Buffalo's East Side with homework help, job resources, and family programming.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Branch
Address: 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208
Phone: (716) 883-4418
East Side community hub with African American history resources and youth development programs.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Erie County Suburban Branches
Orchard Park Public Library
Address: 4570 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-9851
Suburban branch serving the Orchard Park community near the Buffalo Bills stadium.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sept-May) |
Amherst Public Library (Audubon)
Address: 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 689-4922
Modern suburban library serving the town of Amherst with extensive children's and technology programs.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sept-May) |
Cheektowaga Public Library
Address: 1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Phone: (716) 892-8089
Serving the Cheektowaga community with popular materials and community meeting rooms.
| Monday - Thursday | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
University Libraries in Buffalo
University at Buffalo - Lockwood Memorial Library (North Campus)
Address: 520 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2815
UB's main library on the North Campus serves one of the nation's largest public research universities. Lockwood houses humanities and social sciences collections, with over 4 million volumes system-wide. The Poetry Collection is world-renowned for its holdings of 20th and 21st-century poetry.
| Day | Academic Year | Summer/Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Closed |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM | Closed |
Special Collections: Poetry Collection, Music Library, Rare Books
UB Health Sciences Library (South Campus)
Address: Abbott Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 829-3900
Serves UB's medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and public health schools. Extensive clinical and research resources for healthcare professionals.
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday - Sunday | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Canisius University - Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library
Address: 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
Phone: (716) 888-2790
Jesuit university library with strong humanities, business, and education collections. Historic collections include materials from the Jesuit tradition.
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
D'Youville University - Montante Family Library
Address: 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 829-7775
Healthcare-focused university library with nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy resources.
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
🦬 Buffalo Library Insider Tips
Discover hidden gems and local secrets from Buffalo's rich library heritage. Our Western New York library experts share their best tips for researchers, students, and everyday visitors alike.
📜 World-Class Mark Twain Collection
Central Library's Mark Twain Room houses one of the world's finest Twain collections—original manuscripts, first editions, and personal correspondence. Buffalo was Twain's home when he owned the Buffalo Express newspaper. Researchers can request special appointments for hands-on access to rare materials.
🧬 FREE Genealogy Research Assistance
The Grosvenor Room specializes in Western New York genealogy with records dating to the earliest European settlements. Professional staff genealogists offer FREE research consultations—perfect for tracing your Buffalo, Erie County, or Niagara Frontier roots. Ancestry.com access included for cardholders.
🚇 FREE Metro Rail to Central Library
Central Library sits directly on the Metro Rail line at Lafayette Square station—and the above-ground portion of the Metro is FREE! Take the train from the Medical Campus or Main Street without paying a fare. No parking hassles, no downtown traffic.
🎨 FREE Museum Passes to Borrow
B&ECPL cardholders can check out free family passes to Buffalo's top museums—Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo History Museum, and more. Reserve passes online up to 60 days in advance. Each pass covers entire families and saves $50+ per visit.
📖 UB Poetry Collection: World-Renowned
Lockwood Library's Poetry Collection is among the finest in the world, housing manuscripts from major 20th and 21st-century poets. FREE public readings and literary events happen monthly—check their calendar. Community members can browse and research on-site without UB affiliation.
❄️ Winter Weather Library Network
During Buffalo's famous lake-effect snowstorms, check the B&ECPL website or call ahead—some branches close early or open late. Central Library typically stays open longest. Pro tip: The Crane Branch on Elmwood is walkable from many Buffalo neighborhoods when driving isn't an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Buffalo Central Library hours?
Buffalo Central Library at 1 Lafayette Square is open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm (September through May only).
Is UB Library open to the public?
University at Buffalo libraries welcome public visitors during regular hours. Community members can use materials on-site, and community borrower cards are available for checkout privileges.
How many Buffalo library branches are there?
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system has 37 locations including the Central Library downtown and branches throughout Erie County serving over 900,000 residents.
Does Buffalo library have Sunday hours?
Buffalo Central Library is open Sundays 1pm-5pm from September through May. Most branch libraries are closed on Sundays, though some larger branches have limited Sunday hours.