Book it to the Geneva library for a special party

The first time that well-known Times Square ball dropped to mark the new year was 1908. That same year, Ford unveiled the Model T. And the Chicago Cubs - yes, the Chicago Cubs - won the World Series.

You can verify all of that at the Geneva Public Library, nestled in historic downtown Geneva, a spot its held since - yes - 1908.

Library officials invite you to join them for a special centennial celebration between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21, 2008, honoring 100 years at the same downtown location.

You can share birthday cake and lemonade as library fans page through favorite books, magazines and Web pages at a site that has stayed in one place as it has evolved to meet a changing community's needs. A place which once featured mainly books, newspapers and magazines, now boasts multimedia, computers, the Internet, DVD's, etc.

"We're here to serve the community and if technology changes and people's habits changes, we need to change as well," said Matt Teske, library director since last January. "I think libraries have tried to move with the changes in trying to serve their communities and that's why they've gotten beyond the books."

What hasn't changed, despite a rapidly-growing population, is the location. Even as the library considers bigger quarters, Teske said the goal is to stay downtown where for 100 years, the library has been an integral part of a town which values history ... and that downtown location.

"That's an important part of this library to this community," Teske said.

To celebrate the century mark at the library, festivities will include the unveiling of a time capsule to be placed in a wooden bench which can travel to the library's new building one day. They'll also unveil the Millennium quilt, which assistant director Peggy Carlson and other quilters helped create since 2000, historical photos and more.

And, of course, don't forget the cake and lemonade. Or your books.

If you go

What: Centennial Birthday Party for Geneva Public Library

When: 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21

Where: Geneva Public Library Meeting Room

2nd and James St. location, Geneva

Online: geneva.lib.il.us