Featured in the Press Enterprise 1998

A Grand Event Honoring 100 Years of Literary Heritage

Redlands, CA – The city of Redlands is preparing for a weeklong celebration of the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s centennial from April 19 to April 25, 1998. The highlight of the festivities will be the "Centennial Gala: Celebration of the Year of the Tower," described as the grandest gala of the century for the library.

The black-tie affair will take place on Saturday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at the library’s historic location on Vine Street. The event is being meticulously planned by the Smiley Library Board of Trustees and the Library Centennial Steering Committee, ensuring an evening of extravagance and cultural appreciation.

Guests arriving at the gala will be greeted by an illuminated library, music, and banners painted by Redlands students relocated from downtown streetlight posts. Attendees will have the opportunity to admire the "Images of Smiley" art exhibition before making their way to an outdoor dinner in Smiley Park, located between the library and the newly expanded Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Shrine.

The dinner will be an elegant affair, featuring a menu sponsored by Bon Appetit at the University of Redlands and concluding with a musical program highlighting books and music. The program, written by theatrical director Paul Little and staged by Carole Beswick, will be performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.

In addition to fine dining and performances, the event will include the auctioning of blockbuster items and exclusive centennial gifts, including original art pieces depicting the library’s history.

Seating for the Centennial Gala is limited to 200 guests, and tickets are available for $125 per person, with proceeds supporting the fundraising campaign to restore the library’s tower. The original structure was removed in 1936 due to earthquake damage, and this initiative aims to bring back a historic piece of Redlands' literary heritage.

This momentous occasion is expected to be a night of elegance, culture, and historical significance, ensuring that the A.K. Smiley Public Library continues to thrive for future generations.

‍