Celebrating our 80^th Birthday

On Sunday, February 13th, 2011 the DeKalb Public Library welcomed the public to celebrate 80 years at the Haish Memorial Library Building.

Representative Bob Pritchard, Mayor Kris Povlsen, Imelda Ruiz a member of the Board of Directors,  members of the NIU Football team and Jeff  and Jenny  Marshall who are descendents of Jacob Haish  spoke in honor and support of library services. Representative Pritchard presented library director Dee Coover with a certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the library’s building.

After the speeches the audience was invited to tour the library’s hidden places, including the secret staircase in the Fiction room, the staff offices including the original librarian’s desk from 1893, and the third floor of the library which are normally off-limits to the public.  Children especially enjoyed operating the library’s dumbwaiter, the back-saving way we transport books between the building’s four floors.

Guests had the opportunity to purchase items honoring the library building’s 80th birthday, from mouse pads and travel mugs to t-shirts and hoodies.  Proceeds from the sale of these specialty items go to the library’s Anniversary Fund, a special account at the DeKalb County Community Foundation that will be used to purchase new books, DVDs, music and audio books.  The Anniversary Fund is especially important to the library’s continued operation, and 80th Anniversary items will be on sale all year long.

One of the many highlights of the day was the story time for kids presented by NIU student-athletes.  Both the children and the university students enjoyed their time together.

Hors d’oeuvres, birthday cake, coffee and punch were on hand, provided by Sunflower Catering and Jenny Swanson Photography took these excellent pictures.