Library to celebrate 100 years of service

The Mountain Home Public Library is inviting the public to help participate in its centennial celebration of 100 years of library services in the community.

This Saturday, Nov. 15, the library will hold an open house from 1-4 p.m. with a number of activities to celebrate the opening of the Carnegie Library (today's museum) 100 years ago.

The theme of the event is "Traveling Through the Decades, 100 Years of Library Service -- 1908-2008.

Between now and Saturday the public is invited to enter their experiences, recollections and thoughts about the library, from the old Carnegie building to the new, expanded facility, in a "Memory Book" that will be available at the front desk beginning today.

Ground was broken on the Carnegie Library in June of 1908 and the building was opened on Nov. 15, 1908. It served the community until 1976, when the new library was built. The new library underwent a major expansion and remodel two years ago.

Patrons are being asked to bring in personal pictures that represent their memories of the library. The pictures will be scanned and returned immediately.

"We want people to let us know, for a permanent record, what the library has meant to them, how it has impacted their lives, and the changes they've seen," said library board trustee Kelly Everitt.

"Memories" also can be mailed to the library at 790 N. 10th East St., for inclusion in the Memory Book. Please write on only one side.

The library will be closed on Nov. 14 in order for decorations and displays to be set up.

The library staff, the Friends of the Library and the Friends and Neighbors of Mountain Home group will be organizing a number of events for Saturday's open house and will provide "pot luck" refreshments and finger foods for those attending.

A series of displays will be set up so that patrons can "Walk Through the Ages," of library service history in Mountain Home. Each display will represent one decade of library history, and will include popular reading lists from that decade.

Other displays will show off historic furnishings at the library as well as period display materials from organizations and patrons and book displays.

A display on noted Mountain Home author Richard McKenna also will be set up.

In line with the pirate theme of Family Reading Week, which begins on Saturday, "treasure chest" gift boxes will be handed out to children.

The event will begin with a brief set of speakers representing the board of trustees and the city council and will include past librarian Patty McLaughlin, Dr. John Bideganeta and board member emeritus Claire Wetherell, as well as any other member of the public who would like to offer a brief oral history of their experiences with the library. Sign up at the front desk if you want to speak.

As soon as the dedication speeches are concluded a number of old-fashioned games, including jacks, marbles, musical chairs and other "historic" games will be available for children to enjoy.

For older youths (and adults) the library's Teen Advisory Group will host a series of activities focusing on the new electronic gaming equipment the library obtained through a grant in conjunction with the city Parks and Recreation Department.