A variety of activities are planned for the special event.
RUMFORD – When the Rumford Public Library opened a century ago, one of scores of Carnegie-financed libraries built across the country, books were the thing, the only thing.
Now, 100 years later, the solid brick building is also a place to get on the Internet, gather for community meetings and poetry readings, and enjoy a variety of other activities.
The Friends of Rumford Public Library is hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, in honor of the library’s centennial. And it will involve samples of books. In several 10-minute readings, high school students and other community residents will read selections from children’s books, adult contemporary books and classic literature.
“The readings will be geared to all ages and all tastes,” said Anne Wood, secretary of the Friends of Rumford Public Library.
In a birthday party atmosphere, complete with cake and balloons, a variety of supervised games for children will be offered, along with a poster showing the timeline of the library’s history, a new brochure outlining library services, perhaps some entertainment, and a chance for socializing and getting to know the library.
The readings will be in the fireplace room with reference books as a background.
“The readings are a way of emphasizing the importance of books, old and new,” said Wood.
Games and the birthday party will be held in the downstairs public room.
The open house is free and open to everyone.
Saving for big screen TV
The Friends of Rumford Public Library is planning an autumn fund-raiser for a new film and discussion program.
To be scheduled sometime in the fall, a garage and book sale will raise funds to buy a big screen television so classic movies can be shown, then discussed.
Details on the film discussion series will be released at a later date.
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