The 16th-annual event will run from 2 p.m. Friday through 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8.

Area teens are invited to select a dress, along with shoes and accessories, during regular library hours throughout the three-day swap.

“Prom dresses are very expensive and this is a great opportunity for teens in the community to get a dress at no cost,” Dickinson County Library Public Relations Specialist Maggie Mooney said. “There’s so many that wouldn’t be able to go to prom if they had to purchase one.”

The Friends of the Library have collected more than 100 dresses in a large array of sizes.

Dickinson County Library Public Relations Specialist Maggie Mooney, left, and Interlibrary Loan Specialist Nikki Younk get a mannequin ready for next week’s Prom Dress Swap. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)

“We have just about every size available,” Mooney said.

Interlibrary Loan Specialist Nikki Younk added teens will find have a wide variety of styles. “Those who have attended in the past few years will see many new pieces,” Younk said.

Mooney noted that donors have been very good about bringing in quality, modern dresses.

The Friends of the Library will have fitting areas available for the teens.

In addition, there will be a large selection of shoes and accessories to finish their look, including necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

“We also have ties for the guys,” Mooney added. “It’s a great time for them as well, as they can select a tie to match their date.”

Participants do not need to be a Dickinson County resident or library card holder.

“Everyone is welcome to come and select a dress and accessories for free,” Younk said. “We have had girls from all over — there’s no restrictions.”

Teens are welcome to donate their dress back to the library after the prom, but they can keep them as well.

Younk noted that teens don’t need to bring a dress or accessories to take part in the swap.

The Dickinson County Library, along with its Solomonson Branch in Norway and North Dickinson Branch in Felch Township, accepts donations year-round.

Those wishing to donate for this year’s swap are asked to have items to the branches by Thursday.

The Friends of the Library ask for donations to be clean and in good conditions.

The Prom Dress Swap is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the generous donations from the public.

“We are excited to be hosting this event for another year and look forward to everybody feeling and looking their best at prom,” Adult Services Specialist Emily Cummings said.

Mooney said organizers plan to continue the yearly swap. “It’s been a hit. We get hundreds of area girls every years,” she said.

The Dickinson County Library, 401 Iron Mountain St., is open until 6:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.