Barrett Paradise Friendly Library
🏢 Public Libraries of Monroe County · Cresco, Pennsylvania
Barrett Paradise Friendly Library
Serving Barrett and Paradise townships in the Pocono Mountains since 1909, this community-founded library stays open until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and anchors the region with early-literacy Family Place workshops, genealogy databases, and a full digital lending suite.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 6500 Route 191, Cresco, PA 18326
Phone: (570) 595-7171
Website: barrettlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87H65P49+PG (Cresco, PA)
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📖 About Barrett Paradise Friendly Library
Barrett Paradise Friendly Library opened in 1909 — founded by a group of area residents determined to bring books and learning to the rural communities of Barrett and Paradise townships in Monroe County. More than a century later, the library at 6500 Route 191 in Cresco remains an independent community institution, part of the Public Libraries of Monroe County network and the PaILS (Pennsylvania Integrated Library System) statewide consortium that links it to a shared Evergreen catalog. The Weiler Community Room hosts rotating programs for all ages, from infant storytimes to adult author events, and the library holds an active Family Place Libraries designation — one of a select network of sites that bring together parents, children, and community professionals in structured early-childhood workshops. Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch affiliate access make it a local hub for genealogy research, complementing a digital shelf of e-books, audiobooks, and statewide POWER Library databases free to every Pennsylvania resident.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1909 by local residents — over 115 years of continuous community service in the Pocono Mountains
- Designated Family Place Library: twice-yearly 5-week Parent/Child Workshops for ages 3 months–3 years, with speech, nutrition and literacy professionals at each session
- In-library Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch affiliate access for genealogy research
- Weiler Community Room available for programs and community gatherings
- Part of the PaILS/Monroe County shared Evergreen catalog — one card opens resources across member libraries
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Barrett and Paradise Township cardholders get free digital access to Pennsylvania's shared collections:
📚 Services
- Physical collection borrowing via the shared PaILS/Evergreen catalog at bpfl.sparkpa.org
- In-library Ancestry Library Edition (genealogy) and FamilySearch affiliate access
- US Major Dailies newspapers via ProQuest
- Weiler Community Room for programs and community events
- Book Sale Corner with used books available year-round
- Online library card registration for Barrett and Paradise Township residents
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
🎸 Programs
- Family Place Parent/Child Workshops (5-week series, spring & fall; ages 3 months–3 years)
- Baby & Me storytimes
- Fan Club Friday children's events
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge
- Adult Summer Library BINGO
- Local Author Meet & Greet events
- Teen programs and STEM activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Pennsylvania
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Cresco · Browse all Pennsylvania libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What townships does Barrett Paradise Friendly Library serve, and who can get a library card?
The library was founded in 1909 specifically to serve Barrett Township and Paradise Township in Monroe County. Current residents of those two townships can register for a card online at the library's website; residents of other Monroe County municipalities should check with their local library about reciprocal borrowing through the shared PaILS catalog.
What is the Family Place Library program, and when does it run?
Barrett Paradise is a designated Family Place Library, part of a national network focused on early childhood development and parent engagement. The library offers a 5-week Parent/Child Workshop twice a year — once in spring and once in fall — for children ages 3 months to 3 years (siblings up to age 5 welcome). Each week the Weiler Community Room becomes an early-learning play area, and a different community professional — such as a speech therapist or nutrition specialist — joins parents and caregivers for an informal discussion.
Can I do genealogy research at the library?
Yes. The library provides in-library access to Ancestry Library Edition, one of the most comprehensive genealogy databases available, as well as FamilySearch affiliate access through its Weiler Community Room computers. These databases are available free of charge to anyone visiting the library, though they cannot be accessed remotely.
Which nights is the library open late, and is it open on weekends?
The library stays open until 8:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours run 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.