2020 | August
It's Time to Open!
Arnold B. Gardner Memorial Lending Library Grand Opening

Back in January, which seems like a lifetime ago, we initiated the transfer of a collection of books from the Larkin at Exchange building to their new home in the Larkin Center. You may have noticed the installation of the antique cabinets, our craftsman installing library accompaniments, and our resident "librarian" channeling her innermost Dewey Decimal System to catalog the hundreds of books.

Arnold B. Gardner lived a fascinating life as a lawyer in Buffalo with many public service and governmental interests. His personal passion was collecting books. At his death, he may have had as many as 8,000 books in his collection. The offering here is a sliver of that collection. Nonetheless, his eclectic collection was a reflection of his interests and how he thought. We offer this scaled down collection as a lending library at the Larkin Center for Commerce. We hope you enjoy it.
What began as a discussion over drinks at Eckl's@Larkin early this year culminated with a reception held this week to honor the late Arnold B. Gardner. We officially welcomed guests to begin enjoying his passion for books at the Arnold B. Gardner Memorial Lending Library, found just outside the Larkin Gallery.

Mr. Gardner's son, Jonathan, shared stories of his father's love for books and his ability to connect with anyone through them. Long before the ease of emails and texts, Mr. Gardner stayed connected by reading up to seven newspapers a day, and promptly sharing articles of shared interest with acquaintances across the county. Many of these articles, along with handwritten notes, ended up stuffed within relevant books within his collection. Larkin Gallery curator, Sharon Osgood, laughed, recalling the frantic situation she found herself in when the books first arrived at the Larkin Center. The team tasked with shelving the books quickly grew tired of cleaning up and trashing all the errant pieces of paper falling from the books. When Sharon became aware of these custom additions, she quickly halted work, gathered all the "trash" and re-sorted as best she could.

For more information about Mr. Gardner, we have included a biography which can be found in the cabinet. Specific direction on borrowing books can be found on the check-out shelf.
The Doors to the Larkin Gallery Have Reopened

We certainly have found it sad to see the Larkin Gallery lying dormant for so many months during the pandemic. We're now happy to announce that New York State has signed off on the reopening of "indoor arts and entertainment" establishments.

Fortunately the Larkin Gallery curator, Sharon Osgood, has used this down-time to bolster the historic content housed within the gallery. An antique radio collector, Joseph Pawell, donated a decades-old Larcophonic to the gallery nearly two years ago, and he has struck again!

A few weeks ago we were delighted to receive from Joseph another Larkin premium radio, this one even older, we believe going back to 1925. It is called Larcodyne and came complete with a separate horn-like speaker (reminiscent of the RCA /dog speaker). It now sits on the map cabinet. DO NOT TOUCH the speaker! It is very fragile!

Our intent is to reopen the gallery on August 24th with a limited occupancy, a requirement for face coverings to be worn, and as always, keeping your hands to yourself.
Thermal Temperature Scanner
We have recently implemented a symptom evaluation and fever detection system for all Larkin Center employees. The system allows employees to answer symptom related questions prior to coming to work for an initial assessment. A secondary assessment is then conducted upon entering the building and obtaining a thermal temperature scan.

We are now prepared to open this service to all tenants within the Larkin Center. You may contact us to register to receive your daily symptom assessment, further providing you the ability to check-in and obtain a temperature scan. Alternatively, a QR code posted at the security desk will allow you to obtain a temperature check anonymously, and is available for use now.

An image will be captured for any temperatures taken that exceed the recommended threshold. All information obtained from users will only be used for internal notification purposes.
The History of Larkin, from the Desk of Sharon Osgood
Arnold B. Gardner Memorial Lending Library at the LCC: It Was Meant to Be
The Larkin Center of Commerce is the proud recipient of a gift that suggests it was meant to be here. Tenants and visitors who pass through the Seneca Street lobby have undoubtedly noticed it.

Next to the Larkin Gallery, in an alcove along the wall in the hallway passing the Gallery on one’s way to Eckl’s@Larkin restaurant, is a set of wooden bookcases that fit into the space as if custom built for it. They were not; they had been in the home of Arnold B. Gardner and his wife, Sue.

The cases are filled with books that Gardner had collected throughout his life, creating a library of about 8000 volumes. This is obviously only a small portion (if you can call 500 books, ‘small’) of the collection, but are books carefully selected by Gardner’s widow and his son, Jonathan, to provide a panorama of Gardner’s diverse interests. The family is making this lending library available to our tenants for their enjoyment and edification.
Free Fitness in the Parks is Back
Free Outdoor and Virtual Fitness Classes
Beginning this week until September 7th, Fitness in the Parks returns to Larkin Square! Independent Health and the YMCA are bringing free fitness classes back outside for you to safely enjoy, in addition to the virtual classes you can join from home. This is their ninth consecutive year offering free fitness classes to the community, designed to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles. All classes are led by YMCA certified instructors.
Road Closure
A road closure for the purpose of utility work may affect your travel to and from work over the next two weeks. Please review the below map for an idea of what to expect.