Rachel Sobolevitch participates in a community crossword puzzle on the front steps of the Smith Memorial Library on Aug. 3, 2023, part of last year’s Library Day and the celebration of the life of the library in the greater Chautauqua community.
Every year, there comes a time when Chautauquans must decide on something very important: one’s favorite book.
For Scott Ekstrom, director of the Smith Memorial Library, this year’s choice is Four Girls at Chautauqua, written by Isabella M. Alden, whose pen name was Pansy.
Chautauquans Emilie McGee and Lynn Moschel share a conversation during the 2023 Library Day festivities.
Today marks the annual celebration of Smith Memorial Library — named in honor of Mrs. A.M. Smith Wilkes — and of libraries everywhere with a longstanding beloved Institution tradition: Library Day.
Each year, Chautauquans celebrate by wearing stickers displaying their favorite book, and the Smith also hosts a celebration at the library to commemorate the holiday.
This year, the celebration will take place beginning with a reception from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Smith.
Library Day recognizes the Smith’s birthday; this year, the library is turning 93, according to Ekstrom.
“Library Day has had several different incarnations or iterations over the years,” he said. “It used to be perhaps more formal, in more formal times; now it’s a party.”
Ekstrom said that this year’s celebration will feature music, community activities and refreshments for Chautauquans to enjoy.
“We’re celebrating not just the library, but our patrons,” Ekstrom said. “They’re very loyal to us, and we’re happy for (having) them.”
Library Day is also an opportunity for Chautauquans to join, or donate to, the Friends of Smith Memorial Library (but Ekstrom hopes people take part in the festivities even if they don’t donate).
This year, Chautauquans are encouraged to make donations in the amount of $93 — in honor of the Smith’s 93rd birthday — or $150, in honor of the Institution’s sesquicentennial. For the former, they’ll receive a free book.
For the latter, they’ll be recognized with a special library bookplate.
As director of a public library within the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, Ekstrom said he wants people to know that the Smith, and all libraries, stand for intellectual freedom for all people on all sides of all issues.
“We want them to know that whatever reading they want for themselves or for their families, we want to provide that for them,” Ekstrom said.
He stressed that because the library is free to the public, he hopes it can be a space for everyone to enjoy, regardless of financial status or if they have a library card.
“We’re just really here to give dignity to all of our readers, regardless of whether or not they even have a library card,” he said. “You can just come in and hang out in a safe space.”
For the once-in-a-summer party for Library Day, Ekstrom said his favorite part of the day is seeing people enjoy the festivities and celebrate libraries.
“A lot of people just like to come and hang out; it’s a good mingling time,” he said.
