Luzerne County Library System
Based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) is a public charity formed in 1984. It collects and disburses funds to member libraries in Luzerne County, including proportionate shares of state and county grants.
Luzerne County Library System at a glance
In short: Luzerne County Library System gave $2.1M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $207K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,071,270
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $207,127
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $108,890
- Total assets
- $422,757
- -2.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Luzerne County Library System
- Contact
Mailing address: 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkesbarre, PA 18701
Phone: (570) 823-0156
Website: https://luzerneco.lib.pa.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Luzerne County Library System funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Osterhout Free Library ($680K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 18 grants of 50 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The organization states that it distributes funds to member libraries throughout Luzerne County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Luzerne County Library System open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2022) to $2.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Osterhout Free Library Wilkes-Barre, PA | See Part IV | $679,561 |
| Hazleton Area Public Library Hazleton, PA | See Part IV | $478,030 |
| Hoyt Library Kingston, PA | See Part IV | $241,715 |
| Back MTN Memorial Library Dallas, PA | See Part IV | $194,183 |
| Mill Memorial Library Nanticoke, PA | See Part IV | $113,213 |
| Marian Sutherland Kirby Library Mountaintop, PA | See Part IV | $104,566 |
| Plymouth Public Library Plymouth, PA | See Part IV | $82,322 |
| Pittston Public Library Pittston, PA | See Part IV | $71,845 |
| West Pittston Library West Pittston, PA | See Part IV | $55,323 |
| Wyoming Free Library Wyoming, PA | See Part IV | $50,512 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $422,757 | $2,298,309 | $2,312,508 | $2,071,270 | 10 | $3,738 |
| 2023 | $435,366 | $2,429,527 | $2,282,717 | $2,044,598 | 10 | $2,011 |
| 2022 | $253,838 | $2,036,868 | $2,060,211 | $1,861,048 | 10 | $876 |
| 2021 | $242,178 | $2,036,246 | $2,092,584 | $1,879,767 | 10 | $154 |
| 2020 | $748,730 | $2,125,409 | $2,091,287 | $1,891,473 | 10 | $399 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
LCLS states that it collects funds and distributes them to member libraries throughout Luzerne County, and that it also receives grants to fund projects for their general benefit. Its filing describes the grants to the listed organizations as disbursements of proportionate shares of state and county grants.
Among the 2024 grantees, Hazleton Area Public Library describes its mission as informing, enlightening, and entertaining people in Hazleton-area communities through access to books, programs, and materials. Hoyt Library describes itself as a public free library serving Kingston and the surrounding vicinity. Mill Memorial Library describes its mission as providing library services to the Greater Nanticoke community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, LCLS reported 10 grants totaling $2,071,270. Grants ranged from $50,512 to $679,561, with a median of $108,890. The largest awards were $679,561 to The Osterhout Free Library, $478,030 to Hazleton Area Public Library, $241,715 to Hoyt Library, and $194,183 to Back Mtn Memorial Library. Other recipients included Mill Memorial Library ($113,213), Marian Sutherland Kirby Library ($104,566), Plymouth Public Library ($82,322), Pittston Public Library ($71,845), West Pittston Library ($55,323), and Wyoming Free Library ($50,512).
The filing describes the grants as disbursements of proportionate shares of state and county grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lois Ostrowski as president and the following directors: Rae Anusevicz, Carmine Carrato, Susan Maza Esq, Rosella Fedor-Purcell, Dana Foglia, Colleen Garrison, Marilou Hinchcliff, Barbara Lach, and Mary-Ellen McFarland.
Luzerne County Library System is led by Lois Ostrowski, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 16 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lois Ostrowski
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Colleen Garrison
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Marilou Hinchcliff
Director
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rae Anusevicz
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rosella Fedor-Purcell
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Maza Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Barbara Lach
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carmine Carrato
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Dana Foglia
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Karen Shuster
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Gina Thackara
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Rebecca Smith
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Mary-Ellen McFarland
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Roberta Rowlands
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Jim Reinmiller
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Judy Rittenhouse
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Amanda Ouellete (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeff Glynn (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Viola Gommer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Donna Marie Barna (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John Panzitta (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Mondy (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Carolyn McLaughlin-Smith (2021) — Director
- Former: Barbara Ecker (2020) — Director
- Former: Shannon Williams (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Luzerne County Library System
How much does Luzerne County Library System give each year?
Luzerne County Library System gave $2.1M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 10 grants.
What is Luzerne County Library System's typical grant size?
Luzerne County Library System's median grant in 2024 was $108,890, and its average grant was $207,127, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Luzerne County Library System give grants?
Luzerne County Library System gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Luzerne County Library System give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Luzerne County Library System's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Part IV" (10 grants).
Who are Luzerne County Library System's largest grantees?
Luzerne County Library System's largest 2024 grantees include The Osterhout Free Library ($679,561), Hazleton Area Public Library ($478,030) and Hoyt Library ($241,715), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Luzerne County Library System?
Luzerne County Library System reported $423K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What does Luzerne County Library System fund?
LCLS states that it collects funds and distributes them to member libraries throughout Luzerne County, and that it also receives grants to fund projects for their general benefit. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Luzerne County Library System?
Luzerne County Library System has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check luzerneco.lib.pa.us for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Luzerne County Library System's EIN?
Luzerne County Library System's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2731975. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Luzerne County Library System funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Luzerne County Library System's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Community Foundation of New Jersey
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The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
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Brian & Mary Murphy Family Foundation
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Assets
—
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—
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More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Luzerne County Library System funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/luzerne-county-library-system-morg_12d479e7e81649e3958961a190abc91e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232731975_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Luzerne County Library System funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/luzerne-county-library-system-morg_12d479e7e81649e3958961a190abc91e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Luzerne County Library System's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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