Library anniversary celebrations successful
All-ages Celebration
Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL) hosted a free communitywide celebration on Saturday, Sept. 30, and invited everyone to join the festivities. Children, teens, and adults of all ages came together to celebrate. Even the occasional drizzle of rain did not dampen spirits.
Participants enjoyed a variety of “lawn” games in the inviting courtyard, and many kids took part in a scavenger hunt involving the new “Story Stroll” installation.
The first 30 kids and teens to arrive received a $2 gift certificate for Grace’s Book Nook, the used bookstore in our library, and business that Saturday morning was exceptionally brisk. For anyone who
hasn’t yet had the pleasure of shopping at the Book Nook, $2 can go a long way.
Student winners of the 30th anniversary essay contest were honored and invited to read their essays to an appreciative audience. Our City Councilmember, Marni von Wilpert, presented a proclamation from the City Council honoring our library and its history, and helped Bob Cronk, a current deputy director of the San Diego Public Library (and former branch manager at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library), present certificates to the essay contest winners. Both von Wilpert and Cronk are residents of Scripps Ranch.
In her remarks, von Wilpert recalled having her eighth grade dance in our library’s Community Room. The carpet that she danced on has been replaced twice – initially 14 years ago, with generous funding from the Scripps Ranch Civic Association supplemented by SRFOL, and more recently, just a few weeks ago, funded by SRFOL, which took advantage of City matching funds. In fact, celebration attendees were among the first to enjoy the beautiful, still pristine carpet.
Attendees had an opportunity to preview the new Idea Lab or maker space at the library where library patrons will be able to explore their creative instincts with such equipment as the 3-D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, heat press and multimedia laptop.
Everyone was invited to sign and maybe write a note about a favorite library memory on the anniversary banner.
The popcorn machine and taco stand were very popular, and there were mini cupcakes for dessert, so appetites were sated.
Country Living Celebration
The celebration continued on Saturday, Oct. 7, with an early evening party for adults, and the weather was perfect for an event “under the stars.”
The Community Room and courtyard were festively decorated. Many guests came in their country best with a number of cowboy hats spotted.
Attendees enjoyed wine, beer and soft drinks in the courtyard, while local band “Those Guys,” led by Scripps Ranch’s own Jerry O’Mara, played. This was followed by a delicious barbecue dinner, dessert and coffee.
Throughout the evening, attendees had a chance to stroll down “Memory Lane” and peruse an exhibit of historic library documents, photos and memorabilia. They were invited to guess the number of books in our library’s current collection (answer: 53,000) and win a Barnes and Noble gift certificate and go on a library scavenger hunt (also with prizes). They could choose a “blind date with a book” and take in a preview of the new Idea Lab/maker space.
There was also a photo booth so that participants could capture the evening for posterity. The band played throughout the evening, and quite a few attendees were out on the dance floor.
SRFOL would like to thank everyone who came out and helped celebrate the library’s first three decades. Major kudos go to the planning committee of SRFOL board members, dedicated volunteers and family members, and library staff whose efforts made both events so enjoyable and successful!