Surf For Free @ The Crane Branch Library
The Crane Branch Library located at 633 Elmwood Avenue is now offering wireless access with either a library card and pin number or valid email address. This is good news because even though there are a couple of coffee and teashops that offer WiFi, there is a dearth of communal meeting places in and around the area that are open to the public while offering the service.
Branch Manager, Peter Lisker (photo) has been working hard to ensure the his branch not only catches up with the times, he wants the Crane to be a focal point in the community again where people gather, share ideas, read books, and of course surf the web. "We have business travelers walking in and expecting conveniences like WiFi. It's hard to tell them that you don't offer it. We have been looking into a number of new ideas to bring the community back to the Crane. A lot of people don't know that we have a 75-seat auditorium that is available to local community groups. We even have a brand new circulation desk, and guess what? The taxpayers didn't spend a dime on it. We raised the money through book sales. It's a fine indication of what the neighborhood is capable of doing."
I asked Peter what else the neighborhood could expect to see down the road, "Well, if we can come up with the money we would like to open up the rooftop patio for visitors (way, way in the future). We think that would go a long way towards attracting high-school students who might think it was neat to read and surf the web outside in the open air. We've also added a series of computer stations complete with computers. There are 22 computers here now... there used to be a waiting list to get on a machine... not anymore. The additions were made through a grant by the Gates Library Foundation."
With all of the newfound progress I was curious to hear what had brought on the series of changes. "I've been here for a year and I spend every day trying to make this branch better. We're the most utilized city branch library. Some of that is due to the prospering neighborhood and some of it is due to citywide cutbacks and closings. It's unfortunate for neighborhoods like Amherst Street and Grant and we don't like to see closings and shorter business hours. But at the same time it has made us realize that we had to step things up. Our attendance is up, our program attendance is up, and our materials are in more demand than ever. The two business districts that surround us give us a lot of walking traffic... I would even like to see a name change... how does the Elmwood Village Crane Library sound?"
Sounds like the Crane Branch Library has got some exciting plans on the drawing board. If you are a member of any community, then you know how important it is to support your branch library. And next time you hear that there is a book-sale taking place, be sure to support it. Those types of events can go a long way toward bring in much needed monies in for improvements that will bring in more people... who take out more materials... who sign up for library cards...
Now, if only Erie County Libraries could expand their budget and hire me so I'd have a job when I move to Buffalo in a few months! :)
I know they suffered budget cuts recently....saddens me.....
Libraries are the one true democratic place in our society where EVERYONE has equal access, no matter what their socio-economic standing may be.
Our society needs MORE, not fewer libraries. Maybe someday we'll get our priorities sorted out.
The Crane branch is a very pleasant & homey place to spend a few hours. Nice to see positive changes there, but I wouldn't like to see the name changed (and neither would the Crane family, I suspect)
great news from the library I grew up with! Way to go Crane, keeping up with technology during these tough times because you know your patrons want it and can benefit! Bravo!
Nice to see BRO featuring neighborhood libraries, which are some of the strongest anchors and amenities in some neighborhoods.
I like "Elmwood Village Library" or just plain "Elmwood Library." I appreciate the desire to honor worthy local citizens, but it makes for unnecessary confusion for people trying to find their local library or indicate where they want their books on reserve to be delivered.
Everyone remembers the address of their library.
"Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?"
I was six years old, sitting in one of those teeny weeny library chairs at Crane Library, just like every day, waiting after school for Mom to pick me up after school.
And yes, it does seem like just yesterday.
Glad to see Crane is still THE neighborhood library, building new tools and new memories.
It should be noted that Crane is not the only library in Buffalo with Wi-Fi access. Riverside, Merriweather, East Clinton and North Park also have wi-fi connections. The Central Library now has wi-fi on all floors.