Arcade Day

Arcade Day comes to the University Hills Branch Library on Sunday, August 9, as part of the library's 40th-anniversary celebration, which they're billing as their "big four-oh." It's a video game-themed afternoon, and the consoles are the main draw: they'll have Switch, PS4, and Xbox on hand, so you can jump between platforms without having to bring your own gear.

If you're not in the mood for button-mashing, there's plenty to do around the edges. They're setting up crafts and big board games for when you need a break from the screen, and Bananarchy is handling the catering. It's the kind of afternoon that works whether you're there to climb a leaderboard or just to hang out and eat.

University Hills is a long-standing Austin public library with a track record of getting noticed. Over the years, the Austin Chronicle has recognized it across a wide range of categories: it won the 2022 Critics Pick for Best Reason to Go Back to the Library, and was a Critics Pick for Best Self-Care for Your Imagination in 2021, Best Out-of-the-Book Idea in 2018, Best Stairways to Heaven in 2017, and Best Neighborhood Dream Deferred Realized in 2010. Earlier still, it took home the 2004 Critics Pick for Best New Public Building and the 2002 Critics Pick for Best Branch Library Oasis.

Arcade Day is on Sunday, August 9, at the University Hills Branch Library, 4721 Loyola, Austin, TX 78723.