It's not often that citizens walk into their local library to be greeted by live music, a table of cakes and coffee, a photo booth, and an offer to tour the innermost rooms of the building, but that is exactly what patrons got at the Turning a Page Celebration at the George W. Hawkes Central Library on Saturday, December 13.

More than 1,800 visitors enjoyed an afternoon of history, fun, and planning for the future as the building prepared to close its doors permanently while a new Central Library facility is under construction. For those who wanted to explore the building's history, a collection of artifacts including photographs, a book press, newspapers, a microfiche, and building plans for the original Central library provided a look back at the Central Library's journey through the last several decades. Those interested in learning how the Arlington Public Library system developed could watch an interactive retelling of how APL began in 1927 as a simple crate of books located in a bank, and grew to become the seven-branch system it is today. Library staff were on-hand to share information about programming and outreach such as adult education, robotics, and library technology capabilities, while architects designing the new Central Library shared models that are being considered for the new facility.

"This event was about more than just saying goodbye to the Central Library," Director of Libraries Cary Siegfried said. "It was a chance for the citizens of Arlington to look back on the history of the building, to learn about the opportunities that the future holds, and to interact with library staff and the people helping make this next step a reality."

Attendees heard from Library Director Cary Siegfried; Erin Chaney, daughter of library namesake George W. Hawkes; library advisory board chair Antoinette Nelson; and Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck. After hearing these individuals speak about the library's history and the vision for the future, patrons released balloons into the air to say goodbye to the current building and begin the next page of the library's story.

Generous donations from Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Sugar Bee Sweets, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Whole Foods Market, Fiesta Supermarket and Fuzzy's Tacos provided delicious snacks for everyone in attendance. A local guitarist and a Beatles cover band provided music throughout the afternoon, and patrons who felt like dressing up and showing off could make a photo booth flip book to take home as a souvenir.

The George W. Hawkes Central Library will close permanently to the public on December 23. This final chapter in the building's history is the start of a new story for the Library, with construction on the new Central library slated to begin in the spring of 2015. A temporary location, Central Express, located at 200 N. Cooper Street, will open on January 13, 2015. For more information about the Central Library Project, visit www.arlington-tx.gov/centrallibrary.