Can you think of a better way to spend your Saturday than at a library? Don't kid yourself--the answer is no. :)

The Emmet O'Neal Library in Mountain Brook, Alabama is celebrating its 50th birthday with a series of events and all readers are welcome to join the fun. 

The library will celebrate its birthday with a full day of activities on Sat., Sept. 12. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and patrons are invited to stop by the library to celebrate with cupcakes and lemonade.

And if you love antiquing or have fond memories of watching Antiques Roadshow, you're in for a special treat. At 9:30 a.m., there will be a talk with John Jones, a fine art broker and consultant. Jones has more than 15+ years of experience as an independent private consultant and broker of fine paintings, silver, Asian art, and decorative arts. He has been featured on HGTV, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Networks and has been a regular appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. 

Not to mention that a little bird told me there'd be mimosas. The event is free, though registration is required, so hop on it! 

Additionally, they're having a “50 Books Contest.” Those that have read 50 books since November 2014 are encouraged to stop by the 2nd floor reference desk for information on the contest and to pick up a game sheet. The contest ends September 16th and contestants have the opportunity to win a $50 Village Gold Card, which can be used at most Mountain Brook businesses. I don't know about you, but it looks like it's time for me to count up how many books I've read! 

And if you have little ones who love dressing up and having their pictures taken, be sure to bring your camera. Kids can enjoy the 50th birthday fun in the Children’s Department by dressing up from different decades of the last fifty years.

Plus, if you haven't ever been to the Mountain Brook library, you should definitely stop by. Unlike some libraries, they have the great fortune of being well-funded, so they're able to do some cool things that other libraries aren't able to afford yet. For example, if you've been hearing whispers about how libraries are the next community makerspaces, you'll be happy to know that the Emmet O'Neal Library is already on top of the trend.

They have 3D printers, 3D scanners, a green screen, digital camera sets, the Adobe Creative Suite 6, and more. Since my focus in grad school is digital preservation--specifically, I want to digitize 3D objects in a museum--I've always wanted to play with a 3D printer. While the technology is getting more affordable, they're still too expensive for most people, so opportunities to work with them can be few and far between.  

I will, unfortunately, be out of town for the celebration on September 12th, though I encourage local book nerds to attend. And be sure to bring your friends who don't have library cards since they have a goal of sending home 50 new library cards before the day is done. As someone who got her library card not too long ago, let me tell you--it's magical. 

If you have any questions about the event activities, please contact Katie Moellering at 445-1118 or kmoellering@bham.lib.al.us. The library is located at 50 Oak Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35213.