The town of Dublin showed up for the celebration of Dublin Community Day as well as the 125th birthday of the Dublin Public Library on Saturday.
The morning started with the second annual hat parade and competition in the Yankee Publishing parking lot, with the Dublin Fire Department serving free ice cream sundaes and the Dublin Police Department cooking American classics at the barbecue.
Community Day organizers joined kids strutting around the parking lot with their fancy and creative hats. Each participant received an award specific to their headpiece creation.
Pia Benavides-Gomez with her hat originally made with yarn for Halloween by her mother with an additional frog for flair. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
June Brening, Lucy Shonk and K Vanderbilt showcasing their floral arrangements as headpieces. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Hat parade takes off with kazoos following a tune. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
All participants were awarded for their creative caps. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript
Library turns 125
With more than a dozen birthday cakes for the celebration, the Dublin Public Library was ready to celebrate 125 years of public service.
With a history dating back to 1793 with the establishment of the Dublin Social Library, the staff and community celebrated the years since the building was gifted in 1901 by Eliza Farnham.
Dublin Time Capsule from 1900 showcasing life more than 125 years ago. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Dublin Public Library ledgers and minutes demonstrating the loss of money during the great depression. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Photo of Eliza Farnham, who donated the building for the Dublin Public Library, and her cottage. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Photos dating back to the late 1800s of the library and Dubiln. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript
Throughout the inside of the library, fairy lights and candles connect the historical artifacts showcased about the town and library itself. In addition to all the books, shelves are topped and filled with old photos from the late 1800s, bylaws from 1871, books about the town as well as ledgers and minutes from past library meetings. The time capsule from 1900 is also featured as the library requests residents and students to write letters to the future.
Emaline Bergeron, director of the library, said she has been amazed by the community effort to preserve town history since the creation of the town.
“They all held onto their stuff, and then they were placed in this building, and they have been lovingly held ever since here. So here, the fortitude of a community to prioritize their history and stories from 1785,” she said.
She credits the people that have run the Dublin Library over the past 125 years with this preservation and attention to detail. She also noted that in all those years, there have been five women directors and considers the library a sort of matriarchy.
Outside the library and before cake was served, participants gathered to hear more formally about the library’s impact.
Lucy Aprin shares her positive experience with the Dublin Public Library with a speech and rhyme. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Christopher Sprague has the crowd stand based on their different connections to the library leaving all seats empty. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript 
Some of the Birthday cakes donated for the celebration of Dublin library’s 125th. Credit: KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Ledger-Transcript
Traceymay Kalvaitis, pastor at the Dublin Community Church, was the guest speaker and described the library as a lighthouse for the community.
“I think of this library as a lighthouse, a constant and dependable presence in our community, and a source of light that can help us find our way through the storms,” she said.
She spoke of the importance of libraries throughout the nation and Dublin’s history, as well as the continuation of this tradition of knowledge.
“I celebrate that this library and all libraries all across the nation are shining with the light of knowledge that is available to everyone with no exceptions,” Kalvaitis said.
Christopher Sprague, one of the many library trustees, touched upon the difficult time in 2023 when the library was without a director and librarian. He said the state pushed the library to close, but this celebration proves the importance of keeping the doors open.
Zach Redler and Brittney Redler, musicians from Dublin, performed their original song dedicated to the library called “The Dublin Library Song,” accompanied by local musician Volkert Volkersz.
Followed by an original poem performed and written by Robert Forbes named “A Bright Wee Library by the Side of the Road”.
Before Bergeron welcomed the crowd inside for the reception, Lucy Arpin spoke about her experience with the library as a homeschool student.
Ten-year-old Arpin shared how the welcoming atmosphere at the library allowed her to make friends and learn openly.
“All the great experiences here have made me want to become a children’s author, illustrator and librarian here when I grow up,” she said.
She finished her speech with a rhyme about the library.
“Filled with glee. Bright as a star. Dublin Library is where our hearts are.”