Baseball Beyond MLB
Saturday, May 23; 3 to 4 p.m. at the Domonkas Branch
The Lorain Public Library is celebrating 125 years of serving our communities!
To commemorate this outstanding milestone, we have rebranded with a new logo and will be offering themed programs from April through December.
The programs highlight other entities that also began in 1901 such as the founding of Australia, American League Baseball, Lake Shore Electric Railway, the license plate and teddy bears or people that were born in 1901 such as Ed Sullivan and Walt Disney. There will also be special culinary programs, movie showings and book discussions giving nods to history in general. Below is a listing of the spring program offerings. For more information, visit the program page.
The Ed Sullivan Show and the Rise of Popular Music
Monday, May 11; 11 a.m. to noon at the South Lorain Branch
Libraries of Yesteryear
Thursday, May 14; 6 to 7 p.m. (Family STEAM) or Friday, May 15; 11 a.m. to noon
(Homeschool STEAM) both at the North Ridgeville Branch
Plate125
Thursday, May 21; 6 to 7 p.m. (Tech Club) at the North Ridgeville Branch
The History of Local Foods
Wednesday, May 27; 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Branch (Welsh Rarebit)
Tuesday, July 14; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Columbia Branch (Thomas Jefferson's mac and cheese)
Celebrating 125 Years of Modern Baseball: Embroidering Baseball Caps
Thursday, June 4; 5:30 to 7:30 at the North Ridgeville Branch Create Space
Drop-In 125th Anniversary Tote Bags
Thursday, June 11; 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, June 12; 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Avon Branch Create Space
Tour the Land Down Under
Wednesday, June 17; 11 a.m. to noon at the Columbia Branch
Wednesday, June 24; Noon to 1 p.m. at the Main Library (Lunch and Learn)
Monday, July 13; 6 to 7 p.m. at the Domonkas Branch
Major Leaguers: 125 Years of "Modern" Baseball
Monday, June 29; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Branch
Wednesday, July 22; 2 to 3 p.m. at the South Lorain Branch
125 Years of Magic: The History of Disney
Tuesday, July 14; 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Branch
Number 26 (the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt)
Wednesday, July 15; 2 to 3 p.m. at the South Lorain Branch
Anniversary Trivia: A Focus on 1901
Saturday, July 18; 3 to 4 p.m. at the Main Library
Celebrating 125 Years of Modern Baseball: Laser Engraving Miniature Baseball Bats
Monday, July 27; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Branch Create Space
Karaoke Jazz: Louis Armstrong's 125th Birthday Celebration
Wednesday, Aug. 6; 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library
PLATE125
Thursday, Aug. 6; 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Avon Branch Create Space
Saturday, Aug. 22; 3 to 5 p.m. at the Main Library Create Space
Monday, Aug. 24; 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Create Space
LPLS Anniversary Book Discussion: "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Munoz
Monday, Aug. 10; 6 to 7 p.m. at the South Lorain Branch
Early Bird Book Discussion: "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Thursday, Aug. 20; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Avon Branch
History of the Lake Shore Electric Railway
Monday, Aug. 24; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Domonkas Branch
Special Programs
Each branch will host its own decades-themed 125th Anniversary party. Dressing in them is encouraged!
1950s: Saturday, May 16; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Main Library. The Main Library was built in 1957.
1960s: Tuesday, July 28; 6 to 7 p.m. at the Domonkas Branch. The Domonkas Branch was built in 1964.
1970s: Saturday, Aug. 8; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia Branch. The Columbia Branch was built in 1973.
1980s: Saturday, Sept. 19; time TBD at the North Ridgeville Branch. In the late 80s, the North Ridgeville Branch moved from Old Town Hall to a former bank building on Jaycox. (It's current location was opened in 2003.)
1990s: Saturday, Oct. 10; 2 to 5 p.m. at the South Lorain Branch. The builders broke ground for the South Lorain Branch in 1999.
2000s to today: Saturday, Nov. 14; time TBD at the Avon. The Avon Branch underwent a major renovation and addition in 2021.
Branch Browser Events
Each branch, along with our lovable golden retriever mascot pup Browser, will also host its own Browser’s Library Birthday Bash for fun with our littlest patrons and their caregivers. Each will include a story time, a craft, refreshments and other fun surprises:
Saturday, May 9; 2 to 3 p.m. at the Avon Branch
Tuesday, July 7; 4 to 7 p.m. at the South Lorain Branch
Saturday, Aug. 15; 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Branch
Saturday, Sept. 12; time TBD at the Columbia Branch
Saturday, Oct. 17; 2 to 4 p.m. at the Domonkas Branch
Saturday, Nov. 21; time TBD at the Main Library
Partner Perks
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 in North Ridgeville
$5.00 off your food bill when you show your library card between April 19 and Dec. 31!
Angelina’s Pizza in North Ridgeville
15% off your order when you show your library card on April 28!
Brass & Bronze in Lorain
Featuring a monthly rotating literary-themed beverage from April through December.
Fresco Bistro in Lorain
5% off your food order when you show your library card anytime during 2026. Also offering a special themed-beverage, "Aunt Julia & the Scriptwriter," based on the novel by Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa.
Grateful Dog Bakery in 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 in North Ridgeville
50% off a regular coffee on April 22 when you show your library card! Offer good 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lorain Brewing Company
Brewing a special Library Lager starting in June! Available at the Lorain location and Big Top Brewhouse in Avon while supplies last.
Marta's N More in Lorain
Offering one free glazed donut per patron on Thursdays in May when you show your LPLS library card!
Mulligan’s Pub in Avon
Offering a limited-time special beverage called “the librarian” available from April 19 through May 25!
Original Don Mould's Garden Center & Nursery in North Ridgeville
Get 10% off your total purchase when you show your LPLS library card during the months of May and June! Plus, enter your store receipt (with name and number written on the back) in the raffle for a $100 gift card! Some exclusions apply. Offer valid at the 34837 Lorain Road location only.
Ship to Shore in Lorain
Offering a special library/literary themed beverage and 5% off your purchase when you show your library card. Offers available the month of April.
Speak of the Devil in Lorain
Featuring a literary-themed cocktail every weekend in April.
If you own a local business in one of our service districts and would like to participate, please contact lbennett@lpls.info.
Commemorative Library Cards
Limited edition commemorative library cards will be available starting Monday, April 6 while supplies last.
Lorain County Memory
Lorain County Memory, one of our online resources, will be updated with oral history recordings from current and past staff, Board of Trustees, members of the Foundation of Lorain Public Library System, Friends of the library members and patrons.