We all remember the days when we were children of going to the library. We’d get to look through countless books trying to find the perfect one to borrow for the week. I would read it as fast as possible with the hope of being able to read it twice before it was due! While the library is still a place to borrow books, today’s libraries have so much more to offer and have become community resource centers. Your Elizabethton-Carter County Library is no different.
There are many resources to utilize at the library. Along with books, the library has many computer stations set up. If you are unable to afford a computer or the internet, you can surf the web, file your taxes, find product reviews, search for jobs, write a letter, and many other things minutes away from your home!
Why spend money at the Redbox or rent your movies online when you can borrow them for free at your public library? A simple library card (which is also free if you live in Carter County) gives you access to our local library DVD collection as well as access to the library’s collections from Greeneville to Mountain City.
Among the books, you will also stumble across the Elizabethton Archives. Here you can find various documents and information about the City of Elizabethton, businesses and industry in Elizabethton, and other churches and families that once lived in Carter County. The archives contain rare and unique items from Elizabethton’s past such as old city maps, North American building blueprints, and old churches and business directories. Our Archivist will also meet with you to discuss any unique items you may have and help with any genealogical research.
For those who may not live close to the library we are constantly looking for ways to expand our services to you as well. Currently our library subscribes to a service called Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. (reads.overdrive.com). This service provides many fiction and non-fiction digital books, audio books, and movies that can be accessed right from your home internet connection without making a trip to the library. With a digital reading device such as a Kindle or iPad or through your smart phone you can access this expanding collection with your library card, the Overdrive app, and a few finger taps!
The library also subscribes to the Tennessee Electronic Library (TNTEL.info). These services can be accessed from any internet-connected device and offers a variety of services. Take a practice test for your GED, do some research on a topic you’re interested in, find out more about a new career, do some genealogy research on your family, or learn a new language all right in your home for free.
As you can see, there are more than just books in today’s library. Take advantage of these services, they’re free to you! The City of Elizabethton is dedicated to providing and enhancing these services. What else would you like to see our library offer? Let’s talk about it!
(Jon Hartman is Director of Planning & Economic Development for the City of Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423-542-1503 or by email at: JHartman@CityofElizabethton.org)