The Mentor Public Library celebrated the grand opening of the Read House last week.

The public was invited to the party for the renovated Lake County Historical Society Heritage Home, which is next door to the library's main branch on Mentor Avenue.

In June 2009, the library’s board of trustees voted to purchase the 1868 Greek Revival home.

The Read House grounds will be used for family programming and community outreach.

"The Read House is an investment in the community and supports the library’s strategic plan service points of early literacy, lifelong learning and stimulate imagination," said Mentor Public Library Board of Trustees President Amy Frank-Hensley.

She added that the Red House provides much-needed space for additional services and programming for library patrons.

"The Read House will also be an important anchor site for early literacy programming aimed at transitioning children birth to five to conventional reading and writing," she said.

Frank-Hensley said the Read House will also be the new home of the Friends of the Mentor Public Library, which will periodically host book sales inside the house.

Last Wednesday's celebration featured a performance by the Sunset Country Band, children activities, ice cream and cake, as well as a prize drawing for gift baskets.