Owatonna library kicks off 125th anniversary year
Library Director Mark Blando addresses those attending the library open house on Saturday. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen
An open house Saturday at the Owatonna Public Library kicked off a year-long celebration of its 125th anniversary.
The library dates back to 1900 when it was begun with a bequest from Elizabeth Hunnewill. The building, built in Neoclassical style, was the first public building erected by the city of Owatonna. An addition which aesthetically matches the original building was added in 1992.
In a brief program, Library Director Mark Blando thanked the city of Owatonna, the staff, the Library Foundation and all the people who come to the library every day.
The anniversary year is a time to look back and forward. “In years to come,” Blando said, “are potential renovation plans.” Renovations, he said, will be done with respect to the past but also to go forward into what libraries are today.
Saturday’s events also included artwork prints displayed in the Gainey Room. The prints, Blando said, were found in storage areas. Patrons also had a chance to revisit the former children’s room which over the years has been repurposed as a staff area but still retains some items and features that bring back memories to those who spent time there.
For the year to come, the staff has planned special activities for each month.
In addition to the kick-off celebration there will be Book BINGO now through March 31.
March will see a seed exchange on March 8 and Tile Art on March 17. Minnesota author William Kent Krueger will be at the library on April 7 and an Amazing Race: Library Edition on March 24.
There will be Mystery in the Library on May 8, Rock Painting on May 24, a Salon Event at the Library on May 29. June will see the kick-off of the Children’s Summer Reading Program on June 6 and there will be an Adult Summer Reading Program from June 2 to August 23. Patrons are invited to bring their very own unfinished object to the library on July 2 which is UFO Day.
The popular Book Sale is scheduled for Aug. 7-9 during Owatonna’s Gem Days while there will be a Paint Night on Aug. 18.
September will feature a Book Tasting on Sept. 15 and a Bad Art Night on Sept. 25. Fall gets underway with a Haunted Library Tour on Oct. 9 and a Family Scary Story Night on Oct. 30.
November will feature another author visit and activities wrap-up in December with a Family Board Game Night on Dec. 11 and a Christmas Movie Night on Dec. 15.
Details on all activities will be announced as the dates approach.
