Staff photo / Chris McBride Library staff, from left, Executive Director Jim Wilkins, Eastwood Mall Library manager Tammy Betker, and library board members James Duff, Michael McGee and Melissa Lattanzi, celebrate the grand opening of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library’s Eastwood Mall branch with a ribbon-cutting at Saturday’s luau-themed event.

NILES — Children, families and book lovers got a slice of Hawaii in Ohio as they packed the concourse of the Eastwood Mall Saturday afternoon for the grand opening of a new library storefront.

The party, which ran from noon to 3 p.m., started with a ribbon cutting ceremony, island-themed games, crafts, snacks and storytime with “Lilo & Stitch.” The celebration also featured ukulele music played by Paulette Darko.

Kimberly Garrett, the library’s deputy director, couldn’t stop smiling as she explained why the mall is the perfect home for the new library, which quietly opened its doors Sept. 2.

“The Cafaro Company, who runs the mall, came to us with this awesome idea,” Garrett said. “They told us about a library in a mall in Erie, Pennsylvania, that’s one of the busiest branches in their system. We loved the chance to bring the library to where people already hang out, like shoppers and families.”

The library’s spot is hard to miss, right by the children’s play area and across from the Mercy Health St. Joe’s at the Mall facility. That makes it super easy for everyone, from early-morning mall walkers to kids playing nearby, to pop in.

In its first week, Garrett said the library signed up 26 new people for library cards and welcomed more than 300 visitors in just two days.

“We’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays,” Garrett said. “It’s a great place for anyone to stop by, whether you’re shopping or just looking for something fun to do.”

The grand opening was a blast, with families crowding around craft tables and game stations. At noon, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcomed the library to the mall. From there, kids dove into activities like making island-themed crafts and grabbing snacks.

The highlight for some may have been the 1 p.m. storytime with “Lilo & Stitch,” followed by a meet-and-greet where kids snapped photos with their favorite characters. At 2 p.m., Darko took the stage with her ukulele.

Nancy Charles of Niles brought her grandchildren, Paxton and Ruby Grimm of Austintown, to join the fun.

“We found out about the library last week, and it’s awesome,” Charles said. “It’s so close to home, and it’s something different. We used to go to storytime in Girard every week when Ruby was little, and now we’ll probably make this a weekly stop.”

She loved how the library gives kids a fun break from shopping.

Vanessa McGee was there with her daughter, Mia, who was busy coloring at one of the craft stations.

“This place is perfect,” McGee said. “Mia loves toddler time, and now we can come here when we’re at the mall. It’s such a great spot for kids to have fun and learn.”

McGee said she’s already planning to make the library a regular part of their mall visits.

Brandy Wagner, a former librarian from Cortland, was also there, soaking up the excitement. Wagner worked at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library’s bookmobile in the 1990s and said it was “the best job ever.” She’s a huge book fan, is part of five book clubs, and loves classics like “Little Women” and “Catcher in the Rye.”

“I’m thrilled to see a library in the mall,” Wagner said. “With the kids play area and aquarium nearby, this is a fantastic spot for families. I think it’s going to be a big hit.”

She also shared how she enjoys talking about books at a monthly “Read and Rant” meetup at Art on Park in downtown Warren, where people chat about whatever they’re reading.