Children and adults enjoyed a Sunday afternoon of fun and food in Lower Park as the Lehighton Memorial Library celebrated its 75th anniversary.

There were free hot dogs, chips, and drinks, along with crafts and games, and tote bags and other memorabilia to celebrate the library.

During the celebration, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially dedicate the Story Walk in the Lehighton parks. There are 20 stations throughout both parks that tell an interactive story and allow parents to share with their children various parts of the stories. A new story is installed each month.

“The Lehighton Borough Public Works Department helped install the stations,” said Autumn Abelovsky, a member of the Lehighton Borough Council and the Parks & Recreation Board. “There are two stations in front of the municipal building and two at the amphitheater which will be used for advertising borough events. The other 20 stations are for the Story Walk.”

“We run on a very slim margin, to keep the doors open and pay the staff,” said Library Director Melissa Hawk. “Anything extra, we apply for grants.”

An upcoming project will be the 21st Century Learning Hub. A special grant will help the library acquire printers, iPads and software for kids to learn coding and other STEAM topics. Library staff will receive training for the new equipment and software.

“One of the other things we set up is a hot spot,” Hawk said, “Some people don’t have internet access, for one reason or another. This will allow them to come to the library and connect online here.”

To learn more about what the Lehighton Memorial Library offers go to: LehightonLibrary.com.