No one can deny Brighton Place Library is one of the treasures of our community. But not many people know our story. As Brighton Library, it was once part of the county library system until an economic recession forced its closure in 2005. A passionate community rallied to save their library and raised funds to purchase the building contents. One short year later, it became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and reopened as Brighton Place. We’ve been growing ever since, adding new programs, events and clubs, as well as new materials and updated technology. What a lively place!

And then, the pandemic hit. Like many businesses, we struggled to reopen. Finally, in May 2021, we welcomed our customers back inside! What a wonderful feeling to see everyone again! But having missed several major fundraising opportunities due to the pandemic, we could only stay open half-time. Our greatest wish is to get back to the level of service we had before COVID-19 changed the world.

You can help us do just that. During the month of June, we are asking everyone who sees this to donate $10 to Brighton Place and help us get back on our feet. We’ve made it so easy to do. You can securely donate with a credit card by clicking here, send a check or stop in with cash. Choose the method you like best.

Imagine how much help you can do with just $10! Your $10 donation helps buy new books for kids and adults. It helps us keep our technology up to date. It helps pay utilities and buy supplies like computer paper, ink or crayons and glue sticks for our Toddler Time program.

Being an independent library offers wonderful freedom to design our collection and programs as well as provide personalized service for our members, but without government funding we rely on you to keep us going. Please give today. A little bit of your support goes a long way! Thank you so very much!

For check donations, make checks out to: Brighton Place

The library will be open for book service and quick computer use beginning on Tuesday, May 11. Our new hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm and Thursdays from 2:00 pm – 6pm.

Masks are required for entry and must cover your nose, mouth and chin the whole time you are in the building.

In order to maintain social distance, we are down to three computers. Please call to reserve time up to one hour if you need more than a quick email check or print out. Although we’re not doing any clubs or events inside right now, we’re working on arranging meeting spaces for you outdoors.

We are looking for volunteers to help with cleaning, mask compliance, and book shelving. If interested, call Donna at 332-4375.

It will be great to have our Brighton Place family back in the library. We're so excited to see all of you!

Toddler Time

We would like to thank C.H.A.T. for donating two APC C1500 UPS units. They condition the power running to the dual, redundant power supplies in our server and all of our network gear.

This will increase the reliability and lifetime of all of this equipment by protecting it from power outages, voltage sags, and other anomalies from the power grid.

We at Brighton Place are sad to report the passing of Pat Farrell on January 15, 2017. Pat and his wife Jan have been among our most faithful benefactors. Pat, who brought his children to events at Brighton Public Library, has supported our efforts at Brighton Place for many years.

The Farrells owned a unique business that published seldom seen antique images, many of old Buffalo. The Traveling Picture Show is a source of a continuing production of images on an astounding range of subjects. He and Jan have generously donated hundreds of prints and note cards for us to sell at the desk and at our Books and Bordeaux and Cooks for Books fundraisers. Pat was particularly insistent that we take extra prints so we could make more money for Brighton Place.

Pat and Jan have given lectures at Brighton Place and their work has been in our showcases. He was highly knowledgeable about the history of Buffalo and the surrounding communities and a master of his late-life vocation, making prints and cards. Those of us who visited with him in his shop know he could tell a story about each one of the thousands of postcards. We will miss his generous spirit and great sense of humor.

We would like to thank Julianna Colwell, a senior at Kenmore East High School, her dad Bruce, Vincent Magnione, and everyone at Kenmore Barbell & Fitness for organizing and participating in the "Lift for Charity" fundraising competition.

$755 was raised and donated to Brighton Place.

Thank you for your support, which allows us to continue our mission to provide a community place for the residents of the Town of Tonawanda and surrounding area where they can access books, magazines, computers, DVD's and other forms of educational and cultural opportunities that will enhance their lives.

During its Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 19, Brighton Place held a presentation to celebrate the $5,000 allocated in the 2016 Erie County budget for Brighton Place that Legislator Kevin Hardwick secured. Pictured from left to right, Library Manager Donna White, Santa Claus, Everett Herbeck, Legislator Kevin Hardwick and Brighton Place Board of Directors President Michael Rizzo.

The funding will be used to upgrade the technology at Brighton Place, which is a Community Resource Center. The Brighton Library was removed from the Erie County and Buffalo Library System in 2006 due to budget cuts, but thanks to the Town of Tonawanda, volunteers, the board of directors and donors, the building has remained opened as a fully operating community library.

"I was pleased to secure this funding for Brighton Place in next year’s budget. The volunteers and board do so much of the fund raising on their own and the community has proven this is a resource they want to have, and I think it is important for the county to invest in this much-needed center," said Legislator Hardwick.

Original Story

We want to thank the following sponsors who provide continuous support to Brighton Place. Their generosity allows us to provide children and adult programming as well as our newspaper and portions of our magazine collection.

We greatly appreciate our sponsors' support. Our sponsors greatly appreciate your business.

C.H.A.T. of WNY

Raymond T, Miles III, Attorney

Kevin Hardwick, Erie County Legislature

Maureen Wells

Pat & Jennifer Hatfield

Tony Hurliman Family

Rosemary Rizzo

Ken & Kathy Young

Laura Rizzo

David & Nancy Gorski

Glenn & Karen Haley

Pat, Rose, Nikki & Alissa Schiske