About

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Benson Memorial Library in Spring 2021. Photo by Jessica Hilburn.

Click here to read our most recent newsletter!

Located in the heart of Titusville, Pennsylvania, Benson Memorial Library is a unique and vital part of the quality of life in the Titusville area. Since 1904, Benson Memorial Library has served as the community center and facilitator of lifelong learning in the area.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Benson Memorial Library is to provide the community with open access to quality informational, educational, and cultural resources.

How do we fulfill our mission?

  1. We provide open access by not charging overdue fines for any item.
  2. We provide informational, educational, and cultural resources through a diverse collection of materials for all ages.
  3. We promote equity by providing a welcoming space with countless free resources, events, technology, and tools for the benefit of the community."

Benson Memorial Library offers a wide variety of materials and services for the community, including:

  • Access to our collection of books, DVDs, magazines, audiobooks, playaways, puzzles and games, and more.
  • Access to public computers, wifi, copiers, printers, fax machine, internet hotspots, video cameras, and other technology.
  • A number of weekly events for all ages which are free and open to the public.
  • Access to our Benson Collection, a local history collection that features books, maps, and other publications relating to this area and the oil industry.
  • Complete back issues of the Titusville Herald dating from 1865, and genealogical materials.
  • Public space to meet, work, and relax.
  • Free programs that encourage the arts, culture, and lifelong learning for all ages.

As of August 1, 2021, all nine libraries in the Crawford County Federated Library System (CCFLS) are overdue fine-free! You can read the press release by clicking on the link in this section. Fees for lost and damaged materials will still be charged and library cards will be blocked when materials are 14 days overdue to ensure return.

Memberships to the Benson Memorial Library are free to most residents of Crawford County and Pleasantville Borough. ACCESS Pennsylvania memberships are also accepted free of charge. Nonresidents may become members by paying a prorated fee. (As of 1/1/2017, Oil Creek Twp. Venango County residents are considered nonresidents and may be able to use the library by paying an annual household fee.)

All cardholders, regardless of age, have the right to access all materials in the Library and to borrow anything circulating item. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for monitoring the use of library materials by their children. Selection of library materials for adults is not limited by the possibility that children may come in contact with them, The Library does not act in loco parentis and is not responsible for inadvertent viewing at the library. (Taken from the Benson Memorial Library Collection Development Policy, Adopted by the Board of Directors on August 17, 2016.)

Benson Memorial Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Any donations help toward fulfilling our mission and making a difference in the lives of people in our community. Donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your generosity!

You can donate to the library via PayPal here!

History of the Library

Click to view the following History of the Library as a full-size printable PDF.

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