Families are invited to “Celebrate Collinsville Library’s 100th Birthday,” July 18, 2-5 p.m. at the Collinsville Library, 1223 Main.
The special birthday party includes a storytime, magic show with Chris Capstone, cupcakes and prizes. A time capsule will also be filled with photos and items representing life in Collinsville today. The contents will not be seen again until 2067, at the 150th birthday celebration.
The Collinsville Library has a rich history. The Comedy of Errors (COE) Book Club was formed in 1903 with a first order of business to establish a library in Collinsville. Their first books were donated and were kept in the home of COE founder, Mrs. J.A. Tyner. The books were moved to several locations in downtown Collinsville until in 1911 when the books found a permanent home in a room on the second floor of the new city hall.
In 1913 Clyde Bollman and J.B. Potter visited Andrew Carnegie to secure building funds from the Carnegie Foundation. They were granted $7,500 to build a library on land furnished by Collinsville. The completed library was dedicated in July 1917. The library was expanded in 2000 to nearly 8,000-square-feet and featured, at that time, the only elevator in Collinsville.
The library remains a focal point for the community by providing free Internet access, print and eBooks of the latest bestsellers, and educational and entertaining programming for all ages. The community meeting room is utilized year-round by local organizations ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to quilting groups and book clubs.
For more information on “Celebrate Collinsville Library’s 100th Birthday,” call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org.
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