The Ames Public Library will celebrate its 100th year of service with events throughout 2003 and 2004, complete with a birthday party on Saturday.

Dawn Hayslett, assistant director of the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave., said the celebration will include displays about library history and a community book discussion in September.

The library, which serves members of the ISU community as well as Ames, Gilbert and Story County residents, was funded and built in 1903, but did not officially open for service until 1904, said Shelley Hart, member of the centennial committee and graphic artist at the library.

Library staff said technological advances have changed the library drastically during the years.

Carol Elbert, head of youth services and library employee for more than 25 years, said the library now has a computer lab, color printer, copy machine and a special children’s lab.

“It’s fascinating to see how some things change and some stay the same,” she said. “Children are now growing up not having known a world where they didn’t use computers.”

Hayslett said the library has more forms of media available.

“Our collection is around 180,000 volumes, and that includes audio books, CDs and DVDs,” she said.

One important change that has taken place in recent years is the use of automated cataloging.

“We have come a long way from starting with a card catalog,” Hayslett said.

In addition to cataloging, record keeping and book ordering is all done with computers now.

Not everything has changed though. Hayslett said a mutual love for reading will continue to bond library patron for another 100 years.

“Children still run to the window each week to see which new scene has been set up in our window,” she said.

Elbert said she enjoys seeing families take time out of their fast-paced lives to spend time together at the library.

“One thing that keeps the job so interesting is there are always new things to learn and think about,” she said. “I think children will always love to read; that’s universal.”