Children, teens, families and adults of all ages braved 90-plus degree temperatures to find their way under shade trees at a community block party to celebrate Carson City Library’s 60th year, making it one of the capital city’s longest-serving public institutions.
With snow cones, ice cream and other sweet treats plus Galaxy Carson City popcorn, block party revelers perused multiple information tables highlighting local organizations while enjoying free balloon animal demonstrations, games, activities and opportunities to connect with neighbors.
The library opened June 15, 1966 as the Ormsby County Library. That changed when Carson City became a consolidated municipality, becoming Carson City Library. The original one-story portion of the library at 900 Roop Street was opened in 1971 and in 1982, the two-story annex was built.
Monday’s party is among several events commemorating the library’s 60th anniversary and coincides with Saturday’s launch of the library’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, Wander Beyond Words.
The annual summer reading program runs now through August 15 and encourages locals of all ages to discover new stories, attend library programs and build a lifelong love of reading. Go here for more information about the Summer Reading Challenge and how to sign up, along with upcoming library events. You can also visit the Carson City Library online at carsoncitylibrary.org.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting summer as we celebrate the library’s 60th year and our summer reading program, which just kicked off Saturday and will go through the middle of August,” said Joy Holt, Carson City Library Director. “It’s going to be great fun with several programs lined up celebrating the theme Wander Beyond Words.”
Planning for the 60th anniversary began eight months ago and started with the February launch of “Walk Through Time,” where staff celebrates themed decades, including photographs from each decade beginning with the 60s, which are posted in the library’s breezeway.
Every other month, Carson City Library staff dresses up to match what was happening during those specific decades, having already done the 1960s, 70s and 80s, with the 90s planned for August and will carry it through to the 2020s.
