By Stefanie Jackson
The Cape Charles Memorial Library won’t reach its 100th anniversary until June 2019, but it’s not too early to start celebrating. The party officially starts during Festive Fridays in December.
Kids are invited to the library on Friday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. for a free event, the Children’s Christmas Candlelight Story Reading.
Mrs. Santa Claus will stop by to read Christmas classics by candlelight to boys and girls, a special tradition at the Cape Charles library.
There will also be holiday music and sweet treats compliments of several local businesses.
Friday will be a special day at the library even after Festive Fridays and the Christmas season have come and gone.
Starting in January, the library will host Celebration Fridays, every second Friday of the month at 7 p.m. Celebration Fridays are free events featuring presentations by special guests and complimentary refreshments.
For kids in Grades 3 to 4 and Grades 5 to 6, an essay contest will begin in January called, “What a Library Means to Me.”
There will be more special events at the library every month until the final 100th anniversary celebration on June 22, featuring a proclamation from Gov. Ralph Northam, the unveiling of an anniversary plaque, and more.
The Cape Charles library was started in 1919 by 32 women, and it was originally located in a private residence. In 1926, the library moved into the former Presbyterian church building at 500 Tazewell Avenue that would eventually become the Cape Charles civic center.
The library was named the Northampton Memorial Library in 1927 and was dedicated to the local men who died in World War I.
The name was changed to the Cape Charles Memorial Library in 2009.
The library moved again in 2013, into the former bank building at 201 Mason Avenue, its current location.
For more information, visit www. capecharles.org, call 757-331-1300, or stop by. The library is open every day except Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. The library closes at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday with extend-ed hours until 8 p.m. Thursday.
