On July 23, the Red Bud Public Library celebrated its 80th birthday with a celebration. While there are records that there was a library association in Red Bud since 1875, it wasn’t until July 7, 1946 that the Red Bud Public Library was instituted as a city library to serve local citizens. Pictured at the library’s 80th party are: in front: Library Director Jamie Joost, Jean Wetzel (daughter of the library’s first director, Bessie Finley) and Librarian Bailee McCarthy; in back former librarians Brenda Gilpatrick and Linda Krebel.