Aurora library’s Express Center celebrates anniversary

Submitted by Aurora Public Library

Aurora Public Library’s Express Center will celebrate its anniversary with cake and giveaways from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 1100 Church Road. Staff will be cutting birthday cake and giving away bookmarks, pencils and stickers.

Also as part of the celebration, a new element on the back of the Bookmobile will be unveiled at 2:15 p.m. Because of its support of the Aurora Public Library Foundation’s “Imagine … the possibilities” event since its inception in 2009, Sikich LLP will have its logo added to a book spine graphic on the back of the vehicle.

Sikich is part of the foundation’s Light of Learning Giving Circle, which recognizes donors for five or more years of giving and with gifts totaling $5,000 or more.

The Express Center opened Sept. 17, 2012, as a satellite location for the city’s northeast side. It formerly served as the support facility for the library’s bookmobile and outreach services van. A grand opening celebration was held later in September for the facility.

In addition to books, e-readers, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines for adults and children in English and Spanish, the Express Center has five computer stations for Internet and library database access, word processing and materials searches.

Express Center Manager Kathleen Butzen said the Express Center has grown busier throughout the year and has filled many needs in the neighborhood.

Express Center user Ray Thompson, who is disabled, said that if he could not use the Express Center, he “would not be able to use the library.” He also commented that the “whole staff at the Express Center are wonderful. They are always very helpful and friendly.”

The Express Center’s hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.