The children's four-legged character was first drawn by Dame Lynley Dodd in 1983 and had since captured the imagination of millions of readers worldwide.
Dunedin mother Sylvie Kaos took her three children, Kesi (12), Onawa (11), and Anton (6) Tobeck, to the library to celebrate one of their favourite characters and authors.
Ms Kaos said the Hairy Maclary series had always stood out to her three children as one with a lot of life and fun.
''My kids are compulsive readers and I have to check on them at midnight just to see if they have turned their lights out sometimes.''
Onawa, who has Asperger's syndrome, found comfort in reading the Hairy Maclary books and had taken a real shine to the villainous tomcat, Scarface Claw.
''She was born a cat; that was her alter ego.''
But her younger brother, Anton, loved the famous canine the most.
''My favourite is Hairy because he's playful.''
Kesi, who would one day like to write children's books, said Dame Lynley was one of her favourite authors.
Library marketing co-ordinator Lynette Hartgill said there had been a resurgence of people reading ''the old classics'' from well-known New Zealand writers.
''There's obviously an affection with these books that carries right through.''
More than 150 children and adults attended yesterday's celebration, which included the reading of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, the handing out of dog-shaped biscuits and a visit from dog Delphi, from Dunedin Dog Rescue.
Visitors donated cans and packets of dog food to Dunedin Dog Rescue.
