By Steve Van Kooten

The Guttenberg Public Library is celebrating 90 years serving its community next week, and everyone is invited to join the festivities.

According to Katey Simon, the director of the Guttenberg Public Library, events and activities celebrating the library's milestone will take place between Monday, July 13, and Friday, July 17:

- Monday: There will be a puzzle competition at the library at 6 p.m.

- Tuesday: "Not-so-Creepy Crawlers" Summer Reading Program at 1 p.m. The Dubuque River Museum will be at the library for the event.

- Wednesday: Lunch with the librarians at noon. "People can come in and get to know us and chat with us," said Simon.

- Thursday: members of the community can share their library stories at 6 p.m.

Throughout the week, the library is inviting people to bring in stories and memories about how the Guttenberg library (or any other library) has affected their lives.

- Friday: the library will hold an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. The library foundation will sponsor ice cream sundaes at the event.

The library will also have a trivia game available. People can answer questions about different aspects of the library's history and programs. Participants who answer the questions correctly will be entered into a drawing for a prize, which will be announced on Friday. Question forms are due by Thursday afternoon.

"My idea is to do something every day," said Simon.

Although Guttenberg's library is celebrating 90 years, its history goes back even further.

An article from the Guttenberg Press says the public library started in the Burkhart Drug Store. In the mid-1920s, the school alumni association purchased books and stored them there for people to check them out.

A group of Guttenberg High School alumni spent approximately $100 to purchase books and make them available to the public.

The local Literary Club took charge of the library in 1932. Through fundraising and community awareness, the library moved the south end of the Gilbertz Building the next year.

The club was financially responsible for the library, including purchasing new books and maintaining staff.

The town grew exponentially after the construction of Lock and Dam 10 on the Mississippi River. By the middle of the decade, it was clear that Guttenberg needed a larger public library to serve the community.

On July 6, 1936, the town council unanimously adopted an ordinance to establish a public library, as well as setting out qualifications for library trustees.

By the late 1980s, the facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible was on display at the public library after previously being held at the Guttenberg Press office. The library also began housing microfilm records by the end of the decade.

Today, the library is still a valuable asset to its community, offering programs for adults and children as well as an eclectic set of resources for patrons, such as wi-fi internet and even faxing services.

Simon said libraries have evolved to meet the needs of their communities.

"Libraries are becoming more than just print materials," she said. "There are other services. We offer copying, printing, faxing, patron computers and so much more."

Simon pointed out that many libraries now have community rooms used by organizations for meetings. They can also provide space for outreach organizations to offer services to people.

Libraries are also becoming common spaces for people to get in touch with their community and a way to stay informed about what is happening in their towns and counties.

So, take a walk or a ride downtown next week to enjoy the many perks of your local library — and don't forget your library card!