Oak Lane Library
Upcoming Events
Check Mates
Mon, June 16, 2025
3:00 P.M.
Oak Lane Library
Kids, teens, and adults, meet other chess players for some friendly competition! New to chess? No problem! We can teach you the basics. All ages and abilities are welcome. Most Mondays from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Quest: A Roleplaying Adventure
Tue, June 17, 2025
3:00 P.M.
Oak Lane Library
Be whoever you want in this wonderous world of magic and danger! Quest is a thrilling roleplaying board game for kids and adults. Instruction will be provided to anyone new to Quest. Best for ages 10 and up. Most Tuesdays, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Scrabbled!
Tue, June 17, 2025
4:00 P.M.
Oak Lane Library
Logophile: (n.) a person who loves words. Do you love words? Join other logophiles for a fun game of Scrabble once a month. All abilities are welcome. Best for ages 8 and up. Also on July 14 & August 19. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Preschool Storytime
Wed, June 18, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Oak Lane Library
Join Mr. Alec and Mr. Turtle while we read stories, sing songs, and stay cool! For ages 3 - 5 years old, their siblings and caregivers.
About
Serving the community of Oak Lane, which is east of Broad Street at the city's northern border.
History
The neighborhood's earliest settlers arrived in 1697, when Griffith Miles and several Welsh families came to settle and farm. Miles built a log cabin in the vicinity of Old York Road and Haines Street. The area became known as Milestown in 1711.
After farming began to flourish, water power from streams was used to operate mills. The products of the mills were sold in the surrounding communities.
In 1761, Joseph Armitage built a school on the site of the present Ellwood School - a plot of land on the north side of Oak Lane, between 12th and 13th Streets. Subsequently, three larger schools were built on the site to accommodate the growing population. The name changed from the Armitage School to the Milestown School, and finally to the Ellwood School.
The name Oak Lane comes from a beloved, large oak tree that stood on the property of Hall W. Mercer, who lived on Martin's Mill Road. After the tree blew down during a storm in 1860, Mercer changed the name of the road to Oak Lane.
The Oak Lane Library was built in 1910-11 with the combined efforts of the Ladies Review Club of Oak Lane, the Library Association, and funding from Andrew Carnegie. During the Great Depression, a Friends of Oak Lane Library group formed in order to provide book funds until budgets were restored by City Council.
In 1958, the newly rehabilitated Oak Lane Branch held an open house, and a new "Friends" group formed, sponsoring lectures and purchasing materials. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library.