Avon Lake Public Library turns 90

AVON LAKE — The Avon Lake Public Library is turning the page on its ninth decade today as a three-month-long celebration of the library's 90th birthday gets underway. "We're really excited," communications manager Shea Alltmont said. "We just put up some new 90th anniversary celebration banners outside, and inside we have created a lot of 90th celebration displays." Some of those displays include historical pieces like original library ledgers, library cards through the decades, vintage checkout cards, due date slips and stamps. Another display will focus on the "A-1 Steak Sauce Mystery," a period of time in 2017 when bottles of the condiment began mysteriously appearing around the library, drawing local and national attention. Alltmont said the library also will select 30 random patrons per month for the next three months to win a 90th anniversary gift bag containing a book light, bookmarks and more. The library's beginnings trace back to 1930, when the village Council sought to form a free library for the nearly 1,600 people living in Avon Lake at that time, according to a news release. Then, in 1931, a small home on state Route 83 opened as the first Avon Lake Public Library. The initial collection was made up of 505 donated books overseen by Leo Heider, the first librarian, according to the release. Heider worked 18 hours per week, managing a $1,000 annual library budget and taking home a $50 per month salary. Some patrons of the library have lived in the community for so long that they remember going to the original location as kids, Alltmont said. The Friends of Avon Lake Public Library group kicked off the 90th birthday celebration a day early Sunday with its first-ever "Drive Up, Drop Off, Donate" collectiondrive. The group has not collected book, DVD and Blu-ray donations since March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Donations were taken into the library where they will be quarantined for a period of time, then shelved as a part of the ongoing Friends book sale during normal library hours. Other donated items may be sold later as a part of a larger sale later this year. All money raised from the group's sales is directed toward supporting and supplementing Avon Lake Public Library programming, events and materials. Another drive is planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library on Sunday, Feb. 28. Items eligible for donation include books, DVDs or Blu-ray discs in new, like-new or good condition. Items not accepted include textbooks, magazines, damaged items, CDs and cassettes. Dirty, soiled or smelly books will also be discarded. Those donating should bag or box their donations and load them in a way that volunteers can unload them without the donor leaving their car. The drive will be held at the south entrance to the library at 32649 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.