PHOTOS: 110 Years of Library Service in Shorewood

Roughly 110 years ago, a public library was established in Shorewood.

It would occupy many storefronts and locations over the decades before village officials settled on its current location, inside the Village Center.

Starting out in the “pink” schoolhouse in the early part of the 20th century, then the basement of Village Hall, then several different storefronts — including the corner of N. Maryland Ave. and E. Capitol Dr., where City Market currently is — the Village eventually approved the creation of a designated building for the library.

That came in the 1960s when the library moved onto E. Shorewood Blvd. The building was later demolished to build the current Village Center, where the library has been for the last decade. 

Library staff are commemorating more than a century in the village, and 10 years at its current location, with an anniversary celebration this weekend. 

On Saturday, the Friends of Shorewood Library will host a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvre and drinks provided by North Star American Bistro. It's $40 a head with $10 going to support an early literacy center in the library. 

Then on Sunday, the open house — complete with cake and activities for all ages including balloon twisting, face painting and magic — will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Both events are at the library, 3920 N. Murray Ave. 

To receive an invitation for the fundraiser on Saturday, or for more information, email shorewood.friends@mcfls.org or call 847-2670.