Staff writer
The place to be Saturday morning is the library, open for a special celebration to mark 100 years of service to generations of Peabody families.
The facility will open at 9 a.m. and cinnamon rolls and drinks will be available in the Ann Potter room. The family of Orlene Scrivner, an avid reader and library supporter, will bake and serve refreshments in her memory.
Librarian Rodger Charles will offer demonstrations and training on the database feature that allows research into the past issues of Peabody newspapers.
“Every time someone wants to see it work, I plan to be there to share it on Saturday morning,” he said. “We want our patrons to have access to the information they want for community or family history, genealogy, school reunions, legal issues, or whatever they need from the database.”
Lori Gillet, summer reading program instructor, will be at the library Saturday to sign up children for the 2013 summer reading program, “Fizz, Boom, READ!” The program begins May 29 and meets from 10 to 11 a.m. every Thursday morning in June.
Zach Preheim will sign people up for a variety of computer classes he will teach during the next three months.
“Zach is teaching a four-session class in May called ‘Computer basics for the VERY beginner’ and then in June and July he will move on through the Microsoft programs like Word and Excel and take patrons into social media and e-reader training,” Charles said. “This is a great chance for those who need help with computer basics.”
Library board members will be available to share the recent upgrades to the building and explain plans for the future.
The Peabody Historical Society will have the first library building, now the Peabody Museum, open from 9 to noon also and a member will be able to show patrons the 1874 library and answer questions.
“And we are mindful of the fact that even with a celebration going on this is still a library,” Charles said. “If someone wants to check out a book or magazine or sign up for a library card, we will be available to help with that also.”
The library board plans to present additional events during 2014 to celebrate the 100th birthday of the historic Carnegie Library.