The Geauga County Public Library is turning 50 years old, and it is celebrating with a party on Chardon Square next month. For more information, check out the news release below:

GCPL celebrates its golden anniversary with party on Chardon Square  
1963 – 2013: Your connection to reading, learning and growing for 50 years

Geauga County – June 7, 2013 – Geauga County Public Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a county-wide library system, and is inviting library patrons, friends, staff and their families to a free party from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, July 12 on the Chardon Square.

Geauga County Public Library was established in 1963 following a Library Board motion made by Larry Dolan, owner of the Cleveland Indians and a long-time supporter of the library. Mr. Dolan will be joining us to commemorate this golden anniversary at the celebration. “Libraries help build strong communities,” says Mr. Dolan, adding that Little League Baseball programs are also an important part of many families’ summertime rituals, and contribute to strong, healthy neighborhoods. “Both baseball and books can change kids’ lives. Give a kid a book, and that story will stay with him forever. And playing baseball builds lifelong skills of decision making and teamwork.”

Geauga County has both a strong library and robust baseball programs. This GCPL 50th anniversary party celebrates our love of books and baseball. Featured activities and performances include:

• An appearance by Larry Dolan
• Ice cream (while supplies last)
• Speed pitch with radar
• Super hero performance
• Audiobook demos
• Bookmobile tours
• Sidewalk chalk Temporary tattoo station
• Banjo the Clown
• Balloon art
• Music
• Games
• Prizes
• More!

In addition to the gala celebration on Chardon Square, each individual GCPL location is also hosting its own local celebration. Feel free to celebrate with your branch. The website GeaugaLibrary.net has detailed information.

• Middlefield: June 6 – 7 
• Bainbridge: July 9 and 11 
• Newbury: July 17
• Thompson: July 20
• Geauga West: Sept. 8

“Geauga County continues to have the highest library circulation per capita in the State of Ohio,” says Director Deborah F. O’Connor. “We are extremely proud of our library system, its rich history and promising future.”

About the Geauga County Public Library
The Geauga County Public Library includes four full-service community libraries in Bainbridge, Chardon, Chesterland (Geauga West) and Middlefield; two library stations housed in schools in Newbury and Thompson; one Bookmobile that serves farms, nursing homes and nursery schools; and one administrative center where technical services, computer services, facilities and administrative functions reside. GCPL has more than 500,000 books and e-books. The collection also contains more than 100,000 audio / video items and 400 research databases available through its website. Learn more about the Geauga County Public Library at www.geaugalibrary.net.