Community Gathers for Library Days Celebration

Saturday morning, June 21, was a day of music and art at the A.K. Smiley Public Library as it celebrated library days. Library card holders were invited to attend, where they could enjoy carnival-styled games, food from In-N-Out, and arts and crafts. “We want to encourage people to come to the library,” said coordinator Daniel Slota. “We want to show them that we’re still around.” Among the things guests could do was play games and earn tickets, which could be exchanged for prizes such as magnets and other small trinkets. Children could practice their artistic side by painting on glass and drying it out. Representatives of the Folk Music Center in Claremont were also present to show and demonstrate instruments from different parts of the world, such as Africa and India. Guests could also touch the instruments and witness demonstrations by Jerry O'Sullivan and Henry Barnes, to see how they are played and hear the sounds they make. In the library’s heritage room, a presentation of World War I and how it affected the Redlands area was held. In the children's section, library staff would read to young children, as a way of entertainment and encouraging interest in books. Outside, visitors could eat while listening to a performance by Ray McNamara. And of course, no event at a library is complete without a book sale. Held by the Friends of the Library bookstore, people could buy books at the cheap price of 10 cents per book. The store generates money that goes to the library to help it get more books for its shelves. “Money is raised through memberships, which last a year,” Ben Royland, a member of the Friends of the Library, said in regards to other ways the store helps. The sale was also a way to get rid of unneeded books and to unburden their stock, having too many for the library to shelve. With many people gathered amidst a festival of literature and music and art, the A.K. Smiley Public Library celebrated the support of its members and their families, reminding them that the library is a fun place to be.