The celebrations, which will feature talks, demonstrations, stories, music and activities for the whole family, will run 1pm-4pm at Outram Presbyterian Church in Hoylake St.
Outram Public Library itself will be open from 11.30am.
Library committee president Sally Hodgkiss said it was great to be able to celebrate the long history of the library.
When the residents of West Taieri were first interested in establishing a library, the Otago Education Board gave a grant for its first books.
The leaders of the day felt education should reach people of all ages, not just confined to schools.
Outram's library service had operated since 1875, initially in an old school building until a purpose-built library was set up in Holyhead St in 1928.
Miss Hodgkiss said the Outram Public Library was operated on a part-time basis by a roster of 18 local volunteers, with financial support through the Dunedin City Council’s annual grant to Dunedin Public Libraries.
The library is open on Wednesdays 7pm-8pm, Fridays 3.30pm-4.30pm, and Saturdays 10.30am-11.45am.
There are about 5000 books in the Outram Public Library’s permanent collection.
"One fun fact about the library is that ... we work by an old fashioned card system," Miss Hodgkiss said.
"We get good support from the local community, both through taking out our books, and occasionally donating second-hand books to us."
The event was a chance for the community to celebrate a much-loved asset, she said.
Events
All day: Fun, science and magic activities for the whole family, plus a paper plane challenge.
1pm: Julie’s cooking demo; storytime with Stu.
2pm: Festive floral arrangement demo; storytime with children’s author Rachel McCoubrey.
3.30pm: Waiata, tea and coffee, prize draws.
Plus: "That Blind Woman" Julie Woods — your name in Braille; live music by Eleventh Hour; Book Week display by local schools; and an ice cream van.Primary school-aged children must be accompanied by an adult.
