Coaldale Public Library celebrates 80 years

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Sunny South News

Town of Coaldale

The Coaldale Public Library is turning the page on a remarkable chapter in local history as it celebrates its 80th anniversary this June.

The milestone will kick off with a special event, “Pages of the Past: 80 Years of Library and Community History,” on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., that features a photographic retrospective curated by the Gem of the West Museum and a long-anticipated moment – the opening of the Town of Coaldale Millennium Time Capsule.

Sealed in the year 2000 and scheduled to be opened in May 2025, the time capsule will be revealed for the first time during the exhibit’s opening night, offering a tangible connection between Coaldale’s past, present, and future.

This capsule is a message from one generation of Coaldale residents to the next,” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. 

“As we reflect on 80 years of library service and community growth, opening the time capsule allows us to rediscover what mattered to us at the turn of the millennium—and to imagine what we’ll leave for future generations.”

Curated by Gem of the West Museum’s Craig Day, the exhibit will explore eight decades of stories and snapshots from both the Coaldale Public Library and the broader Coaldale community.

“From black-and-white photos of the original library building to vivid memories of community events, this exhibit paints a picture of who we were and how far we’ve come,” said Day. “The opening of the time capsule is the perfect bookend to that story—it’s both a historic artifact and a conversation starter.”

Guests who attend the exhibit’s opening night can enjoy charcuterie, sparkling juice, and live storytelling from Day himself, as he reflects on Coaldale’s history and the Library’s enduring role at the heart of the community.

Head Librarian Kindra Birss sees the Library’s anniversary as more than a celebration of the past—it’s a chance to reconnect with the present. 

“For 80 years the Library has been a space for learning, imagination, and community,” said Birss. “This week of celebration, starting with the time capsule and culminating in our big community event on Saturday, June 7, is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has made that possible.”

The “Pages of the Past” exhibit will mark the start of a week-long anniversary celebration at the Coaldale Public Library, with activities for all ages leading up to a community celebration on June 7.