Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library marks centennial year with series of events
The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library will host a series of events to celebrate its 100th anniversary, including a Founders’ Day event and the introduction of a new bookmobile. It also will be the Grand Marshal of the Stow Fourth of July parade.
The centennial celebration kicks off with the Founders’ Day event on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will begin with the ribbon-cutting for the library’s new Local History Room. The Local History Room is the culmination of the library’s goal to centralize and display its collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts that tell the stories of Stow and Munroe Falls. Following the ceremony, there will be entertainment for all ages on the library lawn, free giveaways, and food trucks for purchase on site. This event will also launch the library’s Summer Reading Program, where patrons of all ages can track their reading and other activities to earn prizes.
On Thursday, June 27 at 11 a.m., the library will celebrate the 40th birthday of its mascot, Spike the Turtle, with a proclamation from Stow’s Mayor John Pribonic, followed by crafts and refreshments. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-themed costume party, with games, crafts, and a pizza food truck. Spike, a female Japanese pond turtle, has lived at the library since 1984 and has inspired much of the library’s theming and designs.
The library is breaking new ground in community outreach by introducing their bookmobile with a story time event and tour on Monday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at the Oak Tree Pavilion at Silver Springs Park in Stow. This library-on-wheels will visit local schools and senior living facilities and will become the touchstone for library events in the community.
“The bookmobile lets us interact with the public in exciting new ways,” says Amanda Rome, the library’s head of outreach and community partnerships. “I want our patrons to see the library is ready to serve them wherever they may be.”
In recognition of its centennial and its contributions to the community, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is honored to serve as the grand marshal in the Stow Fourth of July Parade. The library’s centennial also inspired the parade’s theme for 2024 which is A Century of Stories: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future. Stow’s parade has a rich 66-year history of its own and draws viewers from all over Summit County and beyond.
“On behalf of all the library staff, we are overcome with excitement and pride,” says Gale Koritansky, SMFPL’s executive director. “With a century of public service and literacy as our foundation, we’re ready to embrace the next 100 years.”
For details on the centennial celebrations, event schedules, or to participate, visit the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library's website at www.smfpl.org or call the library at 330-688-3295.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library celebrates 100-year milestone
