At 30 years old, today's library is about more than just free books, offering resources as varied as online research capabilities and special activities for kids aimed at building literacy skills from a young age

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The Riverview Library is 30 years old, and everyone is invited to their Open House Birthday Celebration. May 8 is the date, and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is the time.

"We're having a cake, and displays, readings, and special invited guests," says Library Director Lynn Cormier. "I think it will be an event worth attending."

Pictures of local and world events of 1978, the year the library opened, are mounted throughout the library in this anniversary year.

They lend a time-capsule feel to the library, which moved to its present location in 1984. Prior to that the library was in Coverdale Square.

There is also a display of library memorabilia, including rubber stamps and the like, to browse through.

"The main feature of our Open House is the readings," Lynn elaborates. "Five local authors and one illustrator will be doing readings and talks on their published work.

"The ones scheduled earliest will be excerpts from children's books, so kids are welcome too.

"And all the authors are contributing books to our draw. Just fill in a ballot, and you could win ten books in a lovely anniversary library bag.

"The authors will join us for cake, tea, coffee and juice, and will be glad to speak with people."

And while you're having cake and a beverage, guitarist David Steeves from the Harbour Lights Trio, will be providing entertainment. Mayor Clarence Sweetland and MLA Bruce Fitch will also be in attendance.

Lynn has been Library Director, or Head Librarian, in Riverview for 21 years. She has a Masters degree in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University.

Three Administrative Services Officers, formerly known as Library Assistants and Clerks, help her run the library, which is home to some 33,000 volumes.

One, Dawn Weir, has been there for 23 years.

The Riverview Library offers many things in addition to books, such as computer and internet time, several children's programmes, a quiet reference/study area, magazines, and books on CD and tape. All of these and more come at no charge.

To both support the purchase of new books and celebrate this year's anniversary, attractive custom designed cotton book bags are available for $10 at the library. The bags are on display at the check-out desk.

"The province has given us a birthday present of $300 worth of new books," Lynn says happily. "They will also be prominently displayed for the birthday Open House.

"We hope people will come out to this event. We scheduled it for May even though the actual anniversary was in March, because we wanted better weather which would allow people to get out more easily."

If you want to find out which authors are reading from their works, or when a particular author is reading, check out the poster at the library, or phone them at 387-2108.

Whether you're a long-time library patron or have never set foot inside it, May 8 would be a great time to go and join in the celebration.

"This is an Open House, so anyone is welcome," says Lynn. "We'll have cake enough for 100 people."