Since getting my library card six years ago, I’ve come to love the Chattanooga Public Library. When I was little, the library was where we went to wait for our parents and there just wasn’t much for us when we were in our teens. These days however, the library seems so cool. My kids and I are always leaving with an armful of books and I always seem to forget to bring my library bag with me.
So why should you get a library card? Well, let me tell you.
Books: The library has a large selection of books in their collection. You can pick up the books at the branch closest to you and in fact I found out that they have pick up locations at some community centers. I have a growing list of books I want on Amazon and have discovered some of them at the library. This has given me the opportunity to check them out and see if they are books I want to have permanently take up residence on my shelves. The library also takes book suggestions; patrons can suggest up to 5 books every month. I haven’t quite figured out how they do this. In the past they used to notify you if a book you suggested was purchased. Now it seems like you have to check the library catalog after 30 days and if it’s not there then reach out to them.
Audio and E-books Apps: Audiobooks have been my best friend in this season of life. Your library card gives you access to Hoopla and Libby. Two apps for listening to and reading books on your phone. Not every book out there is available on these apps but books can be marked as you would like the library to get it and if there’s enough interest sometimes it’s added. Each app is slightly different in how many books you can borrow that month, how long you can borrow them for and if you have to be put on a waitlist. Hoopla also allows you to watch TV shows and movies too. They also have an app for the TV, but you’re limited to 3 episodes/movies a month. If you don’t find a book on one app then it could be available on the other, it’s rare I find a book available in both.
Art: The downtown branch hosts exhibits and art installations throughout the year. It’s a great way for you and your kids to discover history and art without paying a museum entrance. They also have Let’s Get Craft every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month for adults. Each meeting is something different. They have acrylic painting, string art, Thanksgiving name cards, pom pom wreaths and more. Great for day dates or ways to learn a new skill. Avondale has a paint and sip class for ages 55+. Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month there is a writer’s meetup at Adelle’s Creperie and every last Friday of the month there’s an Improv Comedy Show at the downtown branch.
Babies & Toddlers: Each branch offers two to three group classes for various ages under the age of 5. There’s Baby Bounce, Toddler Time, Music and Movement, Family Storytime, Yoga Storytime, and many more. Each branch offers something different.
Youth: Each library branch offers a variety of programs for K-12. There’s Steam groups, flavor lab, crafts & creative arts, teen cosplay, anime, adulting 101 class, anime, book club, creative writing, and a teen advisory board. In October they will be showing the Minecraft movie along with other activities.
Adults: The library has forgotten about its adult patrons. There are a variety of offerings for us too. Some of the classes are 55+. There’s Mahjong, chat & play for parents with little kids, craft night, monthly art class at Bohemian Village, a masquerade murder mystery, gardening, friendship connection, book clubs, and tutoring for those who want to improve their literacy.
Family Passes: This area has really expanded in the last year or so. You can get tickets from the library for The Hunter Museum, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Chattanooga Audubon Society, Chattanooga Football Club, Chattanooga Lookouts, Chattanooga Symphony & Orchestra, Chattanooga Zoo, Creative Discovery Museum, Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, Hunter Museum of American Art, the Incline Railway, Reflection Riding, Tennessee Aquarium, the Tivoli, and UTC Football. The pass is usually good for a week, but each might be a little different. I am not sure how many times a year you can use a pass, but each branch has a pass for each location listed above.
The 4th Floor: There is so much offered in this 12,000 sq. foot public laboratory and education space. Need a meeting space? They have some. Want to use a 3D printer? There’s one available. Want to learn some sewing? There’s a lab. Need to screen print some t-shirts? Want to record a CD or learn studio recording equipment? Need to take some headshots for your business? Looking to borrow some power tools? The 4th floor has everything you need for these areas and more. Check out the “4th Floor” tab on the library’s website.
Rentals: The library has several different closets of gear you can rent for various amounts of time. Camping and Hiking gear, telescopes, heat presses, sewing machines, A/V gear, inflatable movie screen & projector, musical instruments, toys, tools, and they even have a seed exchange.
There is so much more available than I have already shared. They have a treasure trove on online access to comics, business and career help, education tools, ancestry research, language learning, and much more. Kids K-12 can get a free Carta bus pass when they sign up for the Read and Ride program. I need to do a deeper dive into their online courses and see what I can learn about running a small business. Or even brush up on my German language with their language library.
