To kick off the year-long celebration, the Idyllwild Library hosted a block party on July 27, 2019 at IdyPark, along with the unveiling of the library’s historical timeline in its Community Room.
Photo by Frazier-Drake

By Friends of the Idyllwild Library
Contributed

On July 27, our very own Idyllwild Public Library, a branch of the Riverside County Library System, will celebrate its 100th birthday. 

To kick off this memorable event, a year-long celebration began on July 27, 2019 with a block party held at IdyPark, along with the unveiling of the Library’s Historical Timeline in its Community Room. 

Kudos went to the Idyllwild Rotary Club for supplying the food and to the Butterfield Family for the use of IdyPark for this kick-off celebration.

100-year timeline 

A timeline of our library’s 100 years is currently on view at the Library Community Room, which you will be able to view again once the room is open to the public. The library staff wishes to thank the Idyllwild Area Historical Society, Idyllwild Town Crier, and Friends of the Idyllwild Library for their work in creating this timeline.

“Mary Reads Dickens” statue in front of Idyllwild Library. 
Photo by Frazier-Drake

Opportunity quilts

The talented Mountain Quilters have created two quilts for opportunity drawing to celebrate the centennial. The first depicts the “Mary Reads Dickens” statue in front of the library, which was donated by Steve Moulton, the owner of the statue, to Riverside County for installation at the new Idyllwild Library. Moulton had the statue created to honor Mary Austin, the late wife of Doug Austin, for the couple’s generous work in the Idyllwild community. 

Mary and Doug contributed to child literacy programs in Idyllwild and were active in the Dickens Festival in Riverside County. Local artist Jan Jaspers-Fayer designed the statue, and local metal artist Dore Capitani sculpted it. 

One of the two quilts up for an opportunity drawing created by Mountain Quilters. Left: “Mary Reads Dickens” statue in front of Idyllwild Library. 
Photo by Frazier-Drake

The second quilt celebrates Dr. Seuss, the famous author/illustrator of numerous well-loved children’s books. 

Both quilts were on display at the Centennial Kick-Off celebration on July 27, 2019 and opportunity tickets are currently being sold. All ticket sales benefit the Friends of the Idyllwild Library for their many contributions to the library, and are $5 each, or five for $20. You can purchase tickets at www.friendsofidyllwildlibrary.com/ and through Mountain Quilters. The winning ticket will be drawn on the anniversary of the centennial in July 2020.

The Idyllwild Library block party at IdyPark on July 27, 2019. 
Photo by Frazier-Drake

Contribute to history

The library is also seeking information for a special time capsule that will remain in the library for the next 25 years. You can help by providing memorabilia, old library cards, children’s drawings, catalogue cards, old newspaper clippings about the library, or anything that pertains to the library throughout the years — even old receipts for fines paid! A committee will determine which items will be included in this time capsule and items not chosen can be returned to the owners. Due to the pandemic, the library is asking that you place the item in a plastic bag and place it in the book drop.

Pick up a commemorative card

And that’s not all! The library is issuing commemorative library cards with the Idyllwild Library Centennial logo. The Friends of the Library made the selection for this logo from ideas submitted by a number of local residents. These commemorative cards will be available through the library throughout the year.

The Idyllwild Library is located at 54401 Village Center Dr. Call 951-659-2300 or email the staff at [email protected] to get questions answered. You can also visit www.rivlib.net/website/branch-page-829/location/Idyllwild or www.facebook.com/IdyllwildLibrary for more information.