The Niagara Library will host an open house starting at 1 p.m., celebrating calling the City Hall basement home since the building opened in 1990.

The open house will feature a display of the history of the library and City Hall. Light refreshments will be available as well.

Librarian Courtney Shafron said she was looking through some old stuff and came across a bookmark that said “Welcome to the grand opening.” It was only then that she realized it was the 35th anniversary.

“It’s a way to get people into the library,” Shafron said, adding that many people don’t remember they are in the basement.

Niagara Librarian Courtney Shafron looks through items in the display she created about the history of the City Hall and the library. An open house to mark the City Hall's 35th anniversary is planned at 1 p.m. Monday at the library. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

As part of the event, Audrey Fredrick, city manager/clerk/treasurer, decided to create a display of pictures — new and old — to line the newly painted walls inside City Hall.

“It was all her idea (for the open house). I didn’t realize it was the 35th anniversary,” Fredrick said.

She plans to start hanging photos today and over the weekend.

They also have a banner sign that was created by CJ Graphics.

“I have some fun pictures,” Fredrick added.

“I tried to find some of the old employees that worked here for a long time, like Kay Coppens, Geri Brault and Ellen Venstra,” she said. “It took more time than I thought, just sorting through pictures.”

She had help from Karen Klenke of the Niagara Area Historical Museum. “I hung out at the museum on Sunday,” Fredrick said.

She plans to create a log to identify the pictures and hopes people might be willing to contribute more pictures in the future.

“It’s definitely a work in progress,” Fredrick said. “I’m very excited about it.”

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.