Alachua County Library District releases 40th anniversary schedule of events

The Alachua County Library District will hit the 40-year mark this fall and is celebrating with a series of community events throughout September through Oct. 3.

Special to Mainstreet

Key Points

The Alachua County Library District will celebrate its 40th anniversary with events at all 11 branches throughout September, culminating on Oct. 3.
The final celebration at Headquarters Library on Oct. 3 features activities including Read with a Dog, crafts, balloon art, and a special speaker at 10 a.m.
Events include library-themed crafts, LEGO building, zine workshops, story times, and community seed planting parties at various branch locations.

The Alachua County Library District will hit the 40-year mark this fall and is celebrating with a series of community events throughout September, culminating on Oct. 3 at the Headquarters Library.

Each of the district’s 11 branches will host a library-themed craft event with light refreshments, and most locations will also hold a Story Time program.

Celebrating Libraries: LEGO Building

Friday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.

High Springs Branch (all ages)

A library-themed LEGO building event

40th Anniversary Book Party

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m.

Cone Park Branch (all ages)

Celebrate decades of library services with fun activities and great company

Create a Zine: Celebrating Libraries

Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.

Hawthorne Branch (all ages)

A Zine-making workshop centered on library services

40th Anniversary: Libraries Build Togetherness

Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m.

Tower Road Branch (all ages)

Build a dream library from LEGO or Magna-times, or craft a celebratory bouquet of paper flowers using recycled book pages.

Artspace: Book Page Origami: Celebrate Libraries

Thursday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.

Waldo Branch (all ages)

Create library-themed origami in celebration of the anniversary, with guest artist Andrew Floyd.

Celebrating 40 years of the Alachua County Library District: Bookmaking Craft

Thursday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.

Micanopy Branch (all ages)

A library-themed bookmaking craft

STEAMspace: Celebrating Libraries

Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.

Alachua Branch (ages 6-11)

Make-your-own bookmarks and buttons

Paper Beads: Celebrating Libraries

Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 3:15 p.m.

Newberry Branch (all ages)

Upcycling damaged books into art

40th Anniversary Story Time
Thursday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Hawthorne Branch (ages 3-5)
A special “Celebrating Libraries”-themed Story Time.

Mini Masterpieces: Zines & Artist Trading Cards Workshop: Celebrating Libraries
Saturday, Sept. 26 at noon

Millhopper Branch (all ages)
A themed zine or artist trading card.

40th Anniversary Saturday Story Time
Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.

Millhopper Branch (ages 3-5)
A special “Celebrating Libraries”-themed Story Time.

Panel to Pencil Cup: Celebrating Libraries
Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.

Archer Branch (all ages)
Celebrate National Comic Book Day by creating a custom pencil box using comic book pages

40th Anniversary Story Time
Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Waldo Branch (ages 3-5)

A special “Celebrating Libraries”-themed Story Time

Family Planting Party: Celebrating Libraries
Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.

Library Partnership Branch (all ages)
Plant seeds from our Seed Library to take home and nurture. Plus, celebrate 40 years of the Library District with cake, light refreshments and opportunities to connect with our community.

Alachua County Library District 40th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Headquarters Library (all ages)
Starting with an official program and speaker at 10 a.m., patrons can take part in all-day activities like Read with a Dog, get their photo taken for a READ library poster, do arts and crafts, get a balloon creation from a balloon artist and enjoy an icy treat.

The libraries are located at: