Gail Borden Public Library is hosting a huge birthday party on March 19 at 4 pm and everyone is invited. The Library is celebrating 150 years of service to this community.
The festivities will include a proclamation by Elgin Mayor Kaptain, cupcakes, crafts and a special 150th bursting fireworks bookmark. There will be musical performances by and Elgin's Master Chorale, including a special rendition of 1874's "Song of the Elgin Watch" (words and music by P.P. Bliss) and the Fox Valley Harmonizer Barbershop Quartet. We also look forward to hearing from Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog, Representative Anna Moeller and Elgin City Councilman Anthony Ortiz.
We anticipate special "guest" appearances by Gail Borden, the library's namesake, and Louis Yarwood, the Library's first director. We will also welcome special appearances by Katherine Abbott who led the library for 40 years from 1903-1943, and Edna Holland (1962-1987). It is amazing how library services have changed to support the community. Of course, our current Library CEO,Carole Medal, will be there to welcome guests.
It is quite an honor to provide library services for 150 years. The people were so instrumental to bringing library service to this community by being the first in the state to vote to create a library in 1872 after the state legislature passed the Free Library Act. The doors to the library opened in 1874.
