The Monroeville Public Library hosted a New Year’s Eve ball drop - albeit 12 hours early - on Dec. 31.
Hundreds of people attended, along with library staff, for this free event, which was held inside Monroeville Mall on the first floor in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“It all started with the question, ‘What is there to do if you don’t stay up until midnight?’” said Alice Rathjen, head of public relations for the library.
This all-ages event began a few years ago at the library, recalled Rathjen, but the event became so popular that it needed to be moved to a bigger space.
“We had to find a new place to hold the event, and contacted the mall,” Rathjen said.
“We’re thrilled to have this space,” adds Barb English, assistant to the director at the library. “We really are grateful to the mall for having us here.”
The ball drop began at 11:30 a.m., with party hats and horn blowers, snacks, a New Year’s Eve backdrop for photos and two free raffles. Prizes included a fox Critter Sitters ottoman for kids and gift cards for adults.
There also was an information booth about the library, at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. Rathjen stressed that community members can take out more than just books at the library, including Rokus, streaming hotspots and sewing machines. Another popular item that patrons can borrow is a Cricut machine, an electronic crafting device used to draw and cut shapes on various materials such as paper or fabric. The library also offers classes on sewing and embroidery machines.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a reader to enjoy the library,” Rathjen stated. The library also offers both adult and after-school programs, career assistance, genealogy resources, faxing and printing, yoga classes and meeting spaces.
Just before noon, a large disco ball descended from the second floor, outside of JC Penney, while the crowd counted down. Children were permitted to examine the ball after it descended.
