Grand opening set for downtown Aurora library
Aurora residents can celebrate the grand opening of the new downtown Richard and Gina Santori Public Library during ceremonies set for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at 101 S. River St.
The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with speeches by Mayor Tom Weiser, library namesake Dr. Gina Santori and library board President John Savage. The Ides of March, featuring Jim Peterik, will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other songs from their repertoire.
To celebrate Flag Day, the new library's flagpole will be dedicated to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The grand opening festivities will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the library to the public at roughly 2 p.m.
From 2 to 5 p.m., the library will offer self-guided tours with staff members stationed at key locations to give demonstrations. In the Kiwanis Club of Aurora Children's Library, Kiwanis Club members will read stories, balloon-twister Sue Klein will make balloon creations for children to take home, the Junior League of Kane and DuPage Counties will give away books, and Curious George will pose with children for pictures.
A craft time conducted by Culture Stock Bookstore volunteers also will be taking place.
Visitors to the first floor Maker Space will see live demonstrations on a 3-D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, plotter printer, and computers with CAD, CAM, Adobe Cloud and other creation software.
Also on the first floor in the Audio/Visual Library, Peterik, the founding member of the Ides of March and Survivor, will sign copies of his new autobiography, "Through the Eye of the Tiger," as well as copies of the Ides of March 50th Anniversary CD/DVD boxed set.
Community groups, including Simply Destinee Dance Troupe, Fox Valley El Sistema and Fox Valley Park District performers, will be showcased in the public meeting rooms on the first floor.
In the Media Studio off the Teen Space on the second floor, audio/video creation hardware and software will be demonstrated. This technology will allow users to make their own podcasts, movies and more. Teen Talent Show entrant Laila McCurdy will provide music in the Teen Space.
The latest in library technology will be on display throughout the building. Even the "employee only" areas will be open to the public to view, including administrative offices and staff work spaces.
Beginning at 2 p.m., Town Band will add to the festivities, and 2014 Teen Talent Show and Competition winner San Sandberg will take the microphone at 3:30 p.m.
Gobble Doggs food truck will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. selling turkey dogs and trimmings, as well as other healthy snacks that can be enjoyed on picnic tables off the west plaza. Gobble Doggs also will raffle personalized Gobble Doggs T-shirts commemorating the opening of the Santori Library.
The current Main Library will close its doors for the last time at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23. The Santori Library will open to the public at noon Monday, June 15, and will remain open until 9 p.m. Regular hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) begin Tuesday, June 16.
In the interim, the library's Express Center, 1100 Church Road, will be open extended hours May 26 to June 13.
To learn more about the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library of Aurora, visit www.santorilibrary.org.
If you go
What: Grand opening ceremonies for Aurora's Richard and Gina Santori Public Library
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14
Where: 101 S. River St.
Cost: Free
Info: www.santorilibrary.org