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Saturday, March 24, 2018 Collier County Public Library invites the public to celebrate its 60th Anniversary Saturday, March 24. Events include fun and games for all ages. NAPLES REGIONAL LIBRARY 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 650 Central Avenue, Naples, Florida 34102 Coffee and Snacks Family fun day, games for all ages, all day in every space HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, Florida 34109 Groovy games and dancing, cake and refreshments, music by Richard Smith SOUTH REGIONAL LIBRARY 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, Florida 34113 Appetizers and refreshments, music, cooking, history, comedy and magic The Collier County Library has its origins in the Naples Woman’s Club when 85 years ago, in 1932, it initiated the county’s first lending library. In 1957, the Friends of the Library petitioned Collier County for approval and helped create the Collier County Free Public Library. On August 1, 1958, the library opened its doors to the public with a book collection of under 4,000 items, supplemented with a loan of 1,000 volumes from the Florida State Library. A bookmobile started overall county service in September 1958. Despite limited resources, the library circulated a total of 50,000 items during its first year of operation. By the end of 1959, there were 2,397 registered borrowers. The following year saw an increase of borrowers to 3,658 with more than 80,000 circulating items. In 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Lee donated a large block of land on Central Avenue to the Friends of the Library to be used for a public library. The Naples Regional Library is still located there today. Currently, the Library has more than 200,000 library card patrons. Last year, there were more than 2,500,000 online visitors. The Library now has access to more than half a million physical and virtual items spread out over 10 branches. The Library’s long history is well documented and preserved for all to enjoy. There is a photographic microfilm collection of Collier County history compiled through local newspapers and residents available at the Naples Regional Library. Even after sixty years, the library remains a popular and comforting destination in Collier County. For more information visit us online at collierlibrary.org.