The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System

When the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC) moved to rename the Niagara Branch Library several years ago, with the support of the lone Puerto Rican Niagara District Councilman, it was done in haste, and without any real community participation; when the resolution was approved by the City Council, very few community organizations were present to participate or rejoice in the making of this important event on the lower west side. 

While the Council gives the impression that it represents the participation of a wide number of community members and organizations, officially it is a non-profit organization and not a “Council.”

We don’t know how and why they named the library after a community leader who passed away over two decades ago, but they did not give much thought and planning to the library. They renamed it, with no serious consideration about what the library should look like.   No provisions were made to add a section for Puerto Rican/Latino literature. It would’ve been nice to include the work of local writers and artists. In addition, no plans were made to utilize the library for community meetings and events, like the Frank E. Merriweather Jr.  Library on Jefferson (Utica Street, East Side) which is kept busy with students, visitors, and community organizations always using its facilities. 

In the new year of 2023, we urge all Puerto Rican/Latino community organizations to make use of the library, and we strongly recommend that HHC use their leadership to work with the Buffalo & Erie County Library to turn the Niagara Branch Library into a real “Isaias Gonzalez-Soto” Branch Library, a library he would’ve been proud of, with a large section of Puerto Rican/Latino Literature, locally, Statewide, National, and the World: Literature, Art, History, Science, Music, Political Science, Latin America Countries, etc.

As a people, we have so much to be proud of our contributions – and the library should reflect that and make our Latino children and teens proud of who they are, having an immediate cultural impact the minute they step foot into the Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library.

  Let’s assemble a committee or team of local Puerto Rican/Latino educators and get the job done. Reach out to local colleges and universities to assist in this endeavor.  We have many Latino educators and Professors. Let’s utilize them.

And last but the least, we salute HHC for always taking the lead in the potential growth of our community, but they cannot do it alone.

As of September, the Library closed its doors to renovate and upgrade the building to better serve the community. The Branch is expected to re-open in mid-winter. — End

About Gonzalez: The Puerto Rican-born González-Soto, a World War II veteran, advocated for bilingual education in Buffalo, promoted higher education in the Latino community, and organized against discrimination. González-Soto became a restaurant and bar owner on the lower West Side, and he was a radio host on radio station WXRL, providing Spanish music and news from Puerto Rico. The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York selected González-Soto, who died in January 2006, after a nomination.