Citizens Library
🏢 Washington County Library System · Washington, Pennsylvania
Citizens Library
Founded in 1870 by abolitionist physician Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne, Citizens Library has been Washington County's flagship public library for more than 150 years — and today serves as the District Center coordinating 14 member libraries across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 55 S. College Street, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 222-2400
Website: citlib.org
Plus Code: 86GX5QC4+4V (Washington, PA)
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📖 About Citizens Library
Citizens Library at 55 South College Street is the public library of Washington, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest free lending libraries in the region. Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne — a prominent physician, Underground Railroad conductor, and three-time Liberty Party candidate for governor of Pennsylvania — established the library in 1870 as a subscription reading room; the Current Events Club successfully petitioned local authorities in 1904 to make it fully free and publicly funded. For nearly a century the library operated out of the Town Hall whose cornerstone President Ulysses S. Grant laid in 1869; in 1965 the library moved into its current colonial-revival home on South College Street, built at a cost of $973,000. Today Citizens Library houses the Dorothea and Henry H. Hood History Center, a dedicated genealogy and local-history research room, and a volunteer-run CITIBOOKS bookstore. As the District Center for the Washington County Library System it shares a WAGGIN (Washington, Greene & Greene Inter-Network) Polaris catalog with 14 member libraries throughout the tri-county area and holds Gold Star status in Pennsylvania's PA Forward literacy initiative.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1870 by Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne, physician, abolitionist, and Underground Railroad conductor — one of southwestern Pennsylvania's oldest continuously operating public libraries
- The Dorothea & Henry H. Hood History Center offers specialized genealogy and local-history research resources with professional librarian support
- District Center for the Washington County Library System, coordinating services across 14 member libraries in Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties
- Gold Star Library in Pennsylvania's PA Forward initiative, recognizing full integration of civic, health, financial, digital, and workforce literacy programming
- CITIBOOKS volunteer-operated bookstore inside the library — a Friends of the Library fundraiser with rotating donated titles
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Citizens Library cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through the WAGGIN consortium and Pennsylvania's statewide collections:
📚 Services
- WAGGIN shared Polaris catalog — one card borrows across 14 member libraries in Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties
- Dorothea & Henry H. Hood History Center for genealogy and local-history research
- Digital Services Manager available by appointment for device and technology help
- Public computers (library card or guest pass), printing ($0.25 black-and-white, $0.50 color), and copying
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Interlibrary loan from across Pennsylvania
- Display window space available for local artists and organizations
- CITIBOOKS in-library bookstore (volunteer-operated, proceeds benefit the library)
- Memorial and honorary book donation program
🎸 Programs
- Weekly storytimes for young children
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy program
- Summer Reading Extravaganza for all ages
- Writer's workshops and local author meetups
- Music recitals and community performance events
- Tax and retirement planning seminars
- PA Forward workforce and financial literacy programming
- Museum Pass lending program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Washington County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Washington · Browse all Pennsylvania libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Francis J. LeMoyne, and why is Citizens Library significant to Washington County history?
Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne (1798–1879) was a Washington physician, Underground Railroad conductor, and three-time Liberty Party candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania — one of the most prominent abolitionists in the region. He founded the library in 1870 as a subscription reading room; in 1904 the Current Events Club persuaded local authorities to make it free and publicly funded. The library moved into its current colonial-revival building on South College Street in 1965, making Citizens Library one of the oldest continuously operating free public libraries in southwestern Pennsylvania.
What is the Hood History Center, and can anyone use it?
The Dorothea and Henry H. Hood History Center is a dedicated room within Citizens Library focused on genealogy and local history research for Washington County and the surrounding region. It holds historical documents, records, and reference materials, and a professional genealogy librarian provides research support. The center is open to the public — library patrons and visitors researching family history or regional history are welcome during regular library hours.
What is the WAGGIN catalog, and what libraries can I borrow from with my Citizens Library card?
WAGGIN stands for Washington-Greene-Greene Interlibrary Network — a shared Polaris catalog used by Citizens Library and 14 member public libraries across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties, including branches in Monongahela, Bentleyville, Chartiers-Houston, Peters Township, and more. One Citizens Library card lets you borrow from any member library and access the consortium's shared OverDrive eBook and digital audiobook collection through the Libby app.
Is Citizens Library open on Sundays, and what are its weekday evening hours?
Citizens Library is closed on Sundays. During the week it is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. — so there is a full evening window for after-work and after-school visits — and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📜 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.
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