Crane Branch Library

This has been my local library for a very long time. Years ago, when they were threatening to close it, along with a slew of other Erie County branches, I actually considered lying in front of a bulldozer. Luckily, It didn’t come to that because we had a major uproar in the community.
No, it is not particularly pretty, nor do they have the books I often seek; however, you can order what you want through the computerized library system and for 25 cents they will deliver it to your local branch.
In addition, you can suggest a purchase on their website, which takes all of three minutes. Nine times out of ten they will actually buy the book and route it to your local library for that same 25 cents.
The staff is friendly and accommodating, the leather chairs comfy, and there is even a used book sale upstairs if you feel the urge to shop.

Nice and cozy library that’s nearby and I don’t have to use much power in my chair to get to. I’ve passed this place many times not knowing what it was but now, I am extremely glad that I found it and also got my card renewed. Gonna be my new go to place.

Librarians can be rude heaven forbid i ask for them to look up a book. Instead they say go over to that line for a computer data base… Which is confusing as heck, when the same base is right in front of them and i already stood in line. They need a coffee machine. I like to see they have activities and things are well kept. Theres room for improvement however.

I looove the staff here, but the hours and selection could use a lot of work. There’s free wifi here and a computer reservation system where you can use a computer with a library card, but there’s a time limit on it and the computers aren’t the best. The printers cost money to print (do you remember back in the good old days when it was free to print in the libraries??)
Some of the classic books I’ve checked out were a little run down, but still very readable. Currently I’m reading the Brother’s Karamazov from Dostoevsky here and I’m on my last renewal (it’s a 900 page book), so you can review items up to two times for 3 weeks each. Unfortunately, they have no parking lot, but the side streets are usually good.

I love the public library so I want to give it five stars, but there are so many things that could be improved so I can really only give it 3.
#1: They have a mediocre selection, but you can request things from the other libraries, allowing you to pretty much get whatever you’d like. They even had Polyester on DVD at another library which surprised me. Yes, you do have to pay $ 1 to request a movie or $ 0.25 for a book. At first this upset me because most other cities don’t charge anything for requesting a movie or book, but after awhile, I just got used to it. I probably racked up $ 20 in the last year. I suppose it’s worth it because it goes to a library and they probably could use the money.
#2: The hours are miserable. They’re only open certain days of the week, and the hours are funny each time so I never know when they’re open. It’s not the library’s fault; it’s the city budget, but still, I have never had a city library that was so inconvenient to use.
#3: The staff is friendly and courteous, and I almost always have access to a computer to use the Internet whenever I come in. I like that they offer recycled plastic bags if you are taking home a whole slew of books/​movies and you didn’t bring your bag. So instead of throwing away your plastic bags at home, consider donating them to the library. :)

Small quaint branch. Friendly staff.
It can sometimes get very crowded in there. Not many elctrical recepticles if you bring your own laptop. They also allow you to us/​borrow laptps for use there.
The stangest thing is that the restroom are on the second floor away from the main area and view. (Not cool)

I really waiver between two and three stars for this place. It merits three stars because it has a great kids play area and fun kids programs. There selection of books on CD is pretty impressive and I like that you can drink coffee there — heck they’ll even sell you some. And the staff here are very nice. Friendly — welcoming — helpful
But somehow, they never have any books that I am looking for. Not once have they ever had a book I have search for (and I am not looking for weird books). Instead you have to request books to be delivered from the main library and that costs $ 0.25 per book. But then the ones at the Main Library that I ask for always seem to be on reserve or lost. I swear I am not asking for unusual stuff just greek classics and some sci fi novels.
Also, the bathrooms are not handicapped accessible. They are on the second floor, and there is no elevator. Time to update the place to make it accessible (and less smelly and add a real changing table not just a little table that always seems to be covered in water). I thought it was rather telling when the librarian told me she had never even been in the bathroom…