Schaumburg library celebrates 50 years Saturday

Only six years after Schaumburg became a village, the Schaumburg Township District Library came along in 1962 to provide residents with reading material — long before Borders, Barnes & Noble or even Kroch’s and Brentano’s were providing any commercial competition in town.

But while the ’90s heyday of the big-box bookstore seems to be on the wane, Schaumburg’s library is thriving like never before and preparing to celebrate its 50th birthday Saturday.

In addition to its proud central building that anchors Schaumburg’s Town Square redevelopment at Schaumburg and Roselle roads, the library has since expanded to branch locations in Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park.

But it will be at the central building at 130 S. Roselle Road that the library’s birth — and other aspects of ’60s culture — will be celebrated Saturday.

All ages are invited to partake of the special cake that will be served in the lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and where patrons can meet with library trustees and Director Stephanie Sarnoff.

Local authors Amy Alessio and Susan Miura will present “Savor the ’60s” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Rasmussen Room.

Alessio will discuss the popular foods of that decade, while Miura will narrate a slide show highlighting the era’s politics, science, celebrities, entertainment, fashion and culture.

The band Fast Eddie and the Cruisers will perform ’60s tunes from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Audiovisual Theatre — a popular part of the current building not even dreamed of in 1962. Fast Eddie and the Cruisers have previously played on the same bills as such famous names as Johnny Rivers, The Diamonds and Jerry Lee Lewis.

No registration or fees are required to attend any of Saturday’s birthday programs. For more information, call the library at (847) 985-4000.