Since the library opened in May 1893, it has served the city of Scranton and the surrounding areas by providing access to books, DVDs, computer services, and more.

[2] Joseph J. Albright originally came to the city of Scranton as a general coal sales agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad.

After Joseph and Elizabeth’s deaths, the Albright children reached an agreement with the City of Scranton to donate the land to be used as a library.

[3] During the ceremonies, Harry C. and John Joseph Albright handed over the deed for the ground of the Scranton Public Library to Mayor Connell, who accepted on behalf of the city.

The Scranton Republican reported that this selection covered a “wide range of subjects including works of reference, philosophy, theology, social science, national sciences, useful and fine arts, poetry, drama, essays, fiction, biography travels, history, etc.”[5] By June 15, 1893, over 1500 people had signed up for a library card and continued to grow steadily.

[17] At the request of John Albright, the exterior of the building was based on the Musee de Cluny, which is located in Paris, France.

A notable feature of the second floor are Mycenaean marble pillars that existed surrounding the original overlook into the circulation department.

Today, the area surrounding the Albright Memorial Library is primarily composed of small shrubs, some trees, and flowers.

Ford and Brooks used designs from printers, such as Stephanus Maillet, Sebastian Nivellius, and Melchoir Novesianus, for smaller windows.

Designs appearing on books owned by famous patrons of the arts, such as Francis II of France, Queen Elizabeth I, and the arms of Constable Anne de Montmorency, are the basis for statement windows throughout the library.

[25] In the circulation department, a painting by V. Olbert showing three women working on a needle point craft while another woman prepares drinks hangs above a fireplace.

The administrative offices, which occupy the former children’s section of the Albright Memorial Library, contain murals painted by Elizabeth Arthur.

These include paintings showing Robin Hood, Lassie, the Pony Express, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.