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Johnny Mautz, the state senator and St. Michaels resident and businessman, fondly remembered using the library as a child, getting shushed as he walked into what was a much smaller space than it is today.

Mautz called the library 鈥渁n anchor鈥� of the community, thanking the staff and volunteers for their dedication to growing the library as it celebrated 100 years on Thursday evening.

But before he could finish his praises, Mautz had two special surprises for library staff. 鈥淭he Ugly Duckling,鈥� last checked out June 7, 1975; and 鈥淭he Steadfast Tin Soldier,鈥� last checked out Aug. 26, 1975.

鈥淛ohnny Mautz, you are in trouble,鈥� the senator joked.

Mautz鈥檚 return of the children鈥檚 books was just one of many moments where community leaders and residents smiled and chuckled on Thursday during the Talbot County Free Library鈥檚 centennial celebration.

Board of Trustees President Susan Sherman blew out the candles on the 100th birthday cake. Dana Newman, the library鈥檚 director, said the century mark wouldn鈥檛 be possible without Caroline Burnite Walker, the founder of the library in 1925.

In its first year, the library paid $15 monthly rent to use two rooms at the Avon Realty Building on South Washington Street in Easton. Now, the library is a full-fledged community hub, stocked full with books, computers and research rooms, offering residents access to the internet, community events, children鈥檚 festivals, wellness services and much more.

Talbot County Council Vice President Pete Lesher remembers his son biking to the library at 9 years old. One of his son鈥檚 proudest moments was getting a library card.

Lesher, chief historian at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, reflected on the how the library has guided his research projects and skills.

鈥淎re you a better person, are you a better version of yourself because of the library?鈥� Lesher asked a crowd of over 100 people at Thursday鈥檚 gala.

In unison, they clapped and exclaimed, 鈥淵es!鈥�

鈥淚 know that I am,鈥� Lesher continued. 鈥淎nd I know that thousands of people in this county alone are, as well. There are something like 200 people here this evening. Multiply that number by 100, and you鈥檙e looking at roughly the number of cardholders for this library. There may be more cardholders for this library than there are licensed drivers in Talbot County.鈥�

He added: 鈥淚t will continue to serve the next generation of children up to our citizens who are over 100, all of whom use this library. Rich and poor, all ages. This place impacts lives and must continue to do so.鈥�

Local authors gathered to reflect on how the library helped their journeys. Tim Young, founder of the Chesapeake Children鈥檚 Book Festival, recalled how the library allowed him to bring esteemed children鈥檚 authors to Talbot County for a festival now running on 10 years.

Carole Boston Weatherford, an author and former professor, said the Talbot County Free Library was her go-to place for borrowing DVDs, grading papers, internet access and research.

She used the library鈥檚 expansive Maryland Room for 鈥淜in: Rooted in Hope,鈥� a 2023 book reimagining the lives of her ancestors, who were slaves in Talbot County.

鈥淭his library is very close to my heart,鈥� Weatherford said.

While the library鈥檚 main branch is in Easton, a St. Michaels branch provides key access for residents in many other parts of the county. The St. Michaels location is currently undergoing renovations to expand and add more children鈥檚 spaces, a project that will be finished in early 2026.

Newman, the library鈥檚 director, thanked county officials for their continued financial support that has made the St. Michaels expansion possible.

State officials shared heartfelt words for the library and its leaders during Thursday鈥檚 centennial gala.

In a video message, Comptroller Brooke Lierman said the library is so critical as a place for people to apply for jobs or file tax returns, among many other uses.

鈥淐onsider the child who became a reader here, the entrepreneur who built their business plan at your computers, the senior who found community in your programs, and the immigrant who learned English,鈥� Lierman said.

Joy Moore, the mother of Gov. Wes Moore, attended the gala and read her son鈥檚 citation to the Talbot County Free Library aloud.

Maryland State Librarian Morgan Miller, acknowledged the Talbot library as an inspiration to other rural libraries on the Eastern Shore. Miller, former director of the Cecil County library, said Talbot鈥檚 children鈥檚 book festival inspired her to implement a similar program up in Cecil.

鈥淲hen I think about all of the stories in this library 鈥� and not just on our shelves 鈥� we鈥檙e looking at 100 years,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淭he stories of generations, and the generational impact of libraries, that just can鈥檛 be captured in a night. But it is captured so well in your community here every day.鈥�