Join us for Nevada County's first Carnegie Library's 118th birthday celebration!

In honor of its role in the community, the day will be filled with presentations, music, and, of course, local history.

10:30am - Introduction by County Librarian Nick Wilczek and Branch Manager Laura Pappani

11am - Local History Highlights with Gage McKinney

1:30pm - The Nevada County Historical Archive with Dom Lindars

3pm - Live Music with Highwater & The Kin

Explore the collection throughout the day, try your hand at a scavenger hunt, and don't forget that the monthly Book Sale by the Friends of the Nevada County Libraries is happening in the lower floor 9am-3pm!

The Doris Foley Library for Historical Research is located at 211 N Pine Street in Nevada City. Please be sure to give yourself enough time to find parking.

***

The Nevada City Library was dedicated on October 4, 1907 and the Daily Transcript reported the building was "thronged with people, including many from Grass Valley," as the community gathered to enjoy music, speeches, and their new free library. During Mayor Chapman's speech, he discussed the importance of public libraries "to show those who regard free public libraries as mere luxuries, that they are now considered by the governments of this and other advanced countries as an essential aid to good citizenship." The celebration lasted all day and into the night - the party finally shut down at 11pm! - and the library became an integral part of the community.

Until the opening of the Madelyn Helling Library branch in 1991, this library on North Pine Street served as the main branch of the Nevada County Library system. On May 17, 1997, the mayor of Nevada City declared the day "Doris Foley Day of Honor" and officially dedicated the library as the Doris Foley Library of Historical Research in honor of the famed local historian. Former County Librarian Madelyn Helling spoke at the dedication, sharing some of the work Doris Foley achieved and reminding those present of her friend's extraordinary legacy.