“The library has never gone backward in her 100 years – exactly 100 years – and we do not intend to begin now,” said Becky Nichols, librarian of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

Yesterday – June 22 – was the actual anniversary of the library’s opening on June 22, 1904, and after months of planning and preparation the capstone of the library’s yearlong celebration had to be scrubbed, at least for a time.

Nichols announced that the library’s birthday party has been rescheduled for exactly one month later – Tuesday, July 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with the program featuring Celebration!, the 100-voice children’s chorus, beginning at 6 p.m.

Nichols talked on the Tuesday afternoon storm and power outage that shut down power at the library and most of downtown Selma. The Performing Arts Centre, the scheduled backup location for the library’s centennial celebration – in case of rain – was also without power.

“The prime reason we decided to cancel was for the safety of those who had planned to participate,” she said.

She and Gordon Welch, music minister of First Baptist Church and director of the Celebration! children’s chorus, reflected on the unexpected events of the afternoon in her darkened office. Both were philosophical – and characteristically upbeat.

Nichols said, “The first concern was the participants. Under the circumstances we could not go forward with the threat of a dangerous storm coming. When we learned that the power was also out at the Performing Arts Centre we decided to reschedule.

“We plan to do exactly what we would have done today,” she said, “right down to the last detail.”

However, the planned balloon launch went off without a hitch about 5 p.m.

Welch underlined the significance of the balloon launch on the exact day of the library’s dedication 100 years ago, saying, “We launched 100 balloons today in the face of an approaching storm, symbolizing the confidence we have in the next 100 years for this wonderful library.”

“The children (in Celebration! chorus) wanted to go on. They have worked hard and they deserve to have another chance,” he said.

Celebration! was organized by Welch and Judy Reed, an assistant children’s librarian, and consists of a well-practiced group of 100 singers from 15 city, county and private schools, including home-schooled children, that had been recruited by the library.

The group has already recorded a CD in the studio of native Selmian and Christian recording artist Kevin Derryberry of Alabaster, who composed an original song for the event. He will join with Celebration! on July 22 and sing the song with the group. The CDs were scheduled to go on sale at the birthday party today.

Nichols described the library’s preparations for the big day and her feelings as events unfolded.

“Everything was going exactly according to plan,” she said, “and suddenly we saw the sparks flying on the light pole across from the city school headquarters (across the street) and then the fire coming down the line – pole after pole. At that point we were set up and ready to roll. The tents were set up in front of the library on Selma Avenue and we had just set up the stands for the block party. The situation was totally under control. Then we saw this bolt hit the power pole in front of the school headquarters building.”

Nichols concluded, “We will reclaim the energy, enthusiasm and meaning of the events scheduled for this day….In fact, it just could be that the rescheduled celebration will be more exciting and meaningful. I’m very excited about it.”