With trumpet blasts from a mariachi band, storybook time and free food, the Corona Public Library threw a wild party Friday night.

More than 2,000 people poured into the downtown library for a big occasion: the library's "100th Birthday Bash."

A crowd gathered at the doors waiting for the clock to strike 6 p.m. The doors soon swung open to a steady stream of party-goers eager to thank the city for the library.

An hour later, "they were still coming in," Beth Kearney, a member of the library's board of trustees, said. "It didn't slow down from 6 on."

Corona residents from all walks of life descended on the city's latest library building, which opened in 1993.

Some came in strollers; others in wheelchairs. Some wore ties; others wore shorts. Whether they arrived for the storybook hour or to get a library card, everyone seemed to be smiling.

"This is nice," Linda Robinson said as she led her family past a pretend 7-foot tall birthday cake to get their picture taken with a digital camera hooked to a computer. "We've had a great time."

Displays showed off the library's proud heritage. The city's first library was founded in 1900. Then, in 1906, the city dedicated the Carnegie Library. That library served the community until 1971, when a new building opened at Sixth and Main streets. In 1993, a modern building of polished granite opened at the same site.

Offering books for all ages, literacy programs, computer labs, study rooms, meeting rooms and other services, officials called the library a major hub of Corona.

The party aimed to thank the community "for using us and for supporting us," Library Director Howard Curtis said.

Officials handed out "passports" to children to encourage them to explore the library. The passports asked them to visit various parts of the library, from the Heritage Room to the Computer Learning Center. They earned a sticker for their book at each stop.

So many people filled the corridors that hearing speeches from Curtis and other officials proved difficult. After receiving proclamations from elected officials, the Corona Library Foundation handed over a check for $20,000 -- the culmination of about four years of fund-raising. The money will go toward children's books and audio-visual materials.

In the Computer Learning Center, John and Gwen Esqueda stopped by to print out a family portrait shot on the digital camera. John Esqueda said the family loves the library -- from storybooks for 5-year-old son John to the study rooms he uses to prepare his annual tax return.

"We've known people that come from different parts, Orange County, L. A.," John Esqueda said. "They come out here to this library."

Though food -- donated by businesses -- and passports disappeared early, the fun went on. Library officials were beaming.

"This is really special," Library Trustee Tacy Bensiek said. "To have a community that's been supporting their library for 100 years."

Mark Acosta can be reached by e-mail at macosta@pe.com or by phone at (909) 737-1366.

Published 4/8/2000