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NILES -- After closings its doors for six months in 2016 for needed repairs and upgrades, the McKinley Birthplace Home and Research Center on South Main Street was reopened and will hold special open houses in January and February.
McKinley Memorial Library Director Michele Alleman, who will mark the completion of her first year as director, said waterproofing and reinforcement work was finished at the replica house, with plans for landscaping work around the building to be scheduled in spring.
She said there is discussion to have the house open Mondays and Wednesdays later this year, but special open houses are planned noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 28 for President William McKinley's 174th birthday and noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 20 for Presidents' Day at the Birthplace Home. Both open houses will include tours, while the birthday open house will feature a special birthday treat.
Alleman said the McKinley Memorial building is marking its centennial in 2017 with opportunities to celebrate the milestone throughout the year and a main event in October.
"We are working with the (McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees), which overseas the memorial and museum and are planning joint programs for the 100-year celebration,'' she said.
Alleman said the summer children's reading program theme will be "Building," which will tie in with the centennial and other events related to the memorial.
She said her first year was a busy one, allowing her to get acquainted with patrons, the community and the other Trumbull County libraries.
In March, the library and others in the area will take part in ''One Book, One Community,'' a program that asks participants to read the book "All the Light We Can't See'' by Anthony Doerr. There then will be discussions, programs and events related to the book.
With the replica house open again, children's programs will be held in the basement, Alleman said, including several the storytimes, teen programs and clubs.
The new manager of the children's library, Olivia Jones, starts in January, followed by the Baby and Toddler Storytime and Preschool Storytime programs Jan. 23.
Former children's librarian Kim Garrett accepted a position as director of the Kinsman Library in November.
Alleman said the technology classes also will return to the replica house. Linda Knepp, a technology instructor, will coordinate classes at the home. She also works with libraries in Hubbard, Girard and Newton Falls.
Alleman said one-on-one technology help for people who own a tablet, cellphone, an e-book or e-reader or other device are planned for Tuesday afternoons by appointment.
''People may need help learning how to use the devices they received as gifts for Christmas,'' she said.
Also planned in 2017 are an adult book discussion group, which will meet 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 13, and a midday mysteries book club that meets 11 a.m. to noon the second Tuesday of each month at the replica house. The first book for the mysteries book club is ''Maid of Murder'' by Amanda Flower.
For information on library events and programs, call 330-652-1704.