HOISINGTON — In 1975 the Hoisington Public Library building was built, and in February, it underwent its first major upgrade in 44 years. Saturday, it will open its doors once more and welcomes the public to come and take a look.

The facility was closed for a couple of days as new carpeting was installed and a fresh coat of paint in modern earth tones was applied. The last time it was painted was in the mid-1990s, according to librarian Melissa Hipp.

Library staff have been busy rearranging furniture and creating displays in preparation for the grand reopening at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2. With over 21,000 books at the library, this was a major project. The shelves were moved with the books still on them, according to Hipp. See a video of this on the libraries Facebook page.

Free books will be given away. There will also be light refreshments.

 “The new look provides a serene and comfortable place to relax and enjoy some books,” said Karen La Pierre, library director.

Coincidentally, March 2 is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, so care has been taken to decorate accordingly, Hipp said. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2nd, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts in the United States. In 1921, he graduated from high school and enrolled at Dartmouth College. His first ambition was to become an English teacher, but was encouraged by Helen Palmer, who would later become his wife, to pursue a career in art instead. He began as a political cartoonist, and later wrote children’s books from his home under the pen name Dr. Seuss. 

Geisel died Sept. 24, 1991. In 1998, the National Education Association began observing Read Across America day, and set it to coincide with Geisel’s birthday. It has since been widely, though not officially, observed as Dr. Seuss Day.