Bach Branch
Our lovely Bach Branch is tucked into the heart of the New Scotland neighborhood. Housed for years in a small section of the New Scotland Avenue School, the current branch was newly built in 2010. John J. Bach—an Albany native, 20-year member of the library Board of Trustees, and longtime Albany city school district teacher, principal, and superintendent—is the branch’s namesake. The 8,500-square-foot, one-story building features a glass-walled front rotunda with views of New Scotland Avenue and a Story Garden with seating behind the library.
This branch is a silver LEED-certified building, which means it is energy efficient and sustainably constructed with cost effective “green” systems. With separate spaces, collections, and computers for adults, kids, and teens, our very walkable branch has become a true neighborhood gathering place!
To get there by bus:
Route 13 – New Scotland Ave & Cardinal Ave
Location Hours:
Tuesday 12-8 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 12-8 pm
Friday 12-6 pm
Saturday Closed
455 New Scotland Avenue Albany NY 12208 518-427-4300 ext. 3
- Services
- Special Collections
- Ongoing Programs
- 16 public access computers
- Printing: Black & white ($0.10/page) and color ($0.15/page)
- Copying: Black & white ($0.10/page)
- Scanning (free)
- Faxing: Sending only; no receiving ($0.50/page)
- CDTA Navigator card services
- Free Wi-Fi
- One community meeting room
- Two small-group study rooms
Jewish Book Nook
This children’s collection features mostly picture books, but also some board books and music CDs, with Judaic and Jewish culture themes. We collaborated with Jewish Family Services of Northeastern NY to create this collection. All items can be checked out with your library card.
Little Thinkers Doll Kits
Kids can check out dolls like Marie Curie, Galileo, Florence Nightingale, Barack Obama, and more with their library cards. Each kit includes a doll, biography, and activity sheets for kids to learn about each figure.