Lorain Public Library System Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Lorain Public Library is celebrating 125 years of service. In 1901, the Lorain Public Library Association was formed to provide a free library for Lorainites, making knowledge and exploration accessible through books.

That mission expanded in 1931 with the introduction of bookmobile services, bringing materials directly to neighborhoods in surrounding service districts. Within a year, the “traveling library” had book collections established inside county schools, churches, grocery stores, a Civilian Conservation Camp (CCC) and one stop at a tuberculosis sanitarium (the latter which had a permanently quarantined book collection).

From April through December, Lorain Public Library System will be hosting a themed program every week. Some of these highlight other entities also celebrating their 125th, like the founding of American League and license plates, or Ed Sullivan and Walt Disney, both born in 1901. Others are taking a look back at the history of local foods such as North Ridgeville’s cheese-making and Avon’s grape growers.

Each branch will celebrate with its own decades-themed anniversary party as well: Main Library the 1950s (built in 1957), Domonkas Branch the 1960s (built in 1964), Columbia Branch the 1970s (built in 1973), North Ridgeville Branch the 1980s (while it isn’t when the current branch was built, it is when it moved from one location to another) South Lorain the 1990s (LPLS broke ground for this branch in 1999) and Avon the 2000s to present (this branch went through a major renovation in 2021).

Each branch will also host a “birthday bash” with Browser, LPLS’s golden retriever mascot, that will include a story time, crafts and other fun for our littlest patrons.

Limited edition commemorative library card designs will be available beginning April 1, while supplies last.

LPLS will be boosting its online Lorain County Memory resource with additional oral interviews with past and current staff, Board and Foundation members, Friends group members and patrons. If you’ve got a library story to share, contact your local branch.

The Lorain Public Library System will have updated branding to coincide with its 125th anniversary celebration, which will occur throughout 2026.

“This milestone gave us the perfect opportunity to rebrand,” Director of Marketing and Public Relations Jennifer Black said. “We have a new logo with a fresh color scheme as part of the ongoing celebration.”

Many of our esteemed partners and friends are getting in on the fun as well! Some are offering discounts or specials when you show your LPLS library card and others are featuring library-themed window displays:

83 & Chestnut Pub, North Ridgeville: $5.00 off your food bill when you show your library card between April 19 and Dec. 31!
Angelina’s Pizza, North Ridgeville: 15% off your order when you show your library card on Tuesday, April 28!
Brass & Bronze, Lorain: Featuring a monthly rotating literary-themed beverage from April through December.
Grateful Dog Bakery, North Ridgeville: 5% off your order when you show your library card between May 29 and Sept. 30! If you don’t have a library card, go to your local branch to apply for one so you can get this discount.
Italian Coffee, North Ridgeville: 50% off a regular coffee on Wednesday, April 22 when you show your library card! Offer good 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mulligan’s Pub, Avon: Offering a limited-time special beverage called “the librarian” available from April 19 through Memorial Day!
Speak of the Devil, Lorain: Featuring a literary-themed cocktail every weekend in April.