Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Warren County Commissioners approved a proclamation Wednesday highlighting the 150th anniversary of the Warren Public Library. In the photo are, from left, Commissioner Ben Kafferlin, Commissioner Jeff Eggleston, Library Director Kelli Knapp, Communication & Outreach Librarian Julie Miller and Commissioner Tricia Durbin.

In 1873, Ulysses Grant was president, the P.T. Barnum Circus debuted and Levi Strauss was awarded a patent for using copper rivets to strengthen the pockets of what we now call jeans.

It also marks the year that the Warren Public Library was born.

And the Warren County Commissioners took some time in Wednesday’s meeting to highlight the Library’s 150th birthday.

“Despite being 150 years old,” Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said, the Library remains a “very vibrant institution.”

He credited the staff and library board for doing an “amazing job.” The library is a “gem of the Warren County community because of their work.”

The library has a series of events coming up to highlight the 150th.

The first is set for next Tuesday when Bernadette Lear, author of “Made Free and Thrown Open to the Public” will discuss the early history of libraries in Pennsylvania. Some of the research of that book happened at the Warren Library.

Ellen Paquette will present next Wednesday a program entitled “Old Warren & The Allegheny in Pictures.”

On Thursday an 8170s tea party will be held at 4 p.m. in the Jefferson Room. Because space is limited, that event required registration at the Library.

The Wetmore Gallery also has a show on display highlighting the 150 years of history.