As summer wanes and changing leaf colors remind us that fall is just around the corner, keep in mind that your public library has online databases, e-books and multiple types of services available to assist you.  In addition, the library offers a wide range of programs for all ages.

Some of those programs include

  • Hot Summer Nights Concert finale, Knoxville Opera Company.
  • “Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening” – a memoir that is NOT a gardening how-to book, but a presentation by the author’s friend (local teacher, Brenda Johnson) and husband.
  • Appalachian Speaker Series: Beekeeping: Past, Present & Future by Dr. John Skinner.
  • Banned Books Week will celebrate the First Amendment Rights to Read with community members reading from books that have been banned including the Bible, The Grapes of Wrath and The Color Purple.
  • Children Story Times return with additional sessions.
  • Teens: Chess, Gaming and Nerd Computer Programing/Coding.

Computer classes are offered by library staff for Rookies and Beyond the Basics while this year’s Gains Classes (Microsoft Office computer classes to help people acquire a job or move to a different job), are taught by Adult Education teachers. Résumé Help (one-on-one) will be available in September and November.

We look forward to seeing you at the library!

 

MUSIC:

Thursday, September 1,  7 p.m.,  “Hot Summer Nights Concert Series Finale” at the library!  The concert will be inside the library, in air conditioning and is sponsored by the Blount County Friends of the Library.  The performers will be  “Knoxville Opera Company 2016-17 Season Preview.”  Maestro Brian Salesky, Executive Director and Conductor, will be the guest speaker and accompany two Knoxville Opera artists, Linda Barnett and Peter Johnson, who will preview the coming season’s operas: Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme and Gaetano Donizetti’s Mary, Queen of Scots.

 

EVENTS:

Thursday, September 1,  7 p.m.,  “Hot Summer Nights Concert Series Finale” at the library!  The concert will be inside the library, in air conditioning and is sponsored by the Blount County Friends of the Library.  The performers will be

September 1,  “Knoxville Opera Company 2016-17 Season Preview.”  Maestro Brian Salesky, Executive Director and Conductor, will be the guest speaker and accompany two Knoxville Opera artists, Linda Barnett and Peter Johnson, who will preview the coming season’s operas: Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme and Gaetano Donizetti’s Mary, Queen of Scots.

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 3, 4 & 5,  “Library Closed in Honor of Labor Day.”

Thursday, Sept. 15,  7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (3rd Thursday of each month), “Adult Coloring.” Remember the carefree joy of picking up your favorite crayon or marker and adding color to a beautiful picture? Experience the same fun and relaxation even though you are now an adult!  For this program, sponsored by the Blount County Friends of the Library and coordinated by Jennifer Spirko, participants (16 years and older) can bring their own coloring books and materials, or you can select from a variety of intricate adult coloring pages and utilize coloring supplies provided at the library. Just show up at the library at 7 p.m., on the third Thursday of every month, select a fun design and color away to your heart’s content. This program will be in the Main Gallery of the library.

Monday, September 19,  7 p.m., “Gardening for the Soul: Mr. Owita’s Guide to Gardening.”  NOT a how-to gardening book, this memoir shares how a friendship blossoms between a well-to-do white woman, Carol Wall, and an immigrant from Kenya, Giles Owita. A cancer survivor, she hires a gardener who harbors his own secrets, and, together, they gently probe and dig to nurture a beautiful garden landscape while also establishing a friendship that navigates joys, tragedies, racism, illness and more. Soon after this book was published, the author died. This program will be presented by the author’s husband, Dick Wall, and the author’s friend, Brenda Johnson, who is now retired as a local Maryville High School English teacher. This presentation will be in the Sharon Lawson Room of the library.

Tuesday,  September 20,  5:30 p.m.,  “Blount County Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting,” in the Board Room of the library.

Wednesday, September 21,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (3rd Wednesday of each month),  “Affordable Care Act Health Care Enrollment.”  A qualified Navigator will be at the library to meet with individuals and families to help with registration for the Affordable Care Act. An appointment is required by calling 1-844-644-5443, or you can visit www.GetCoveredTenn.org/commit

Thursday, September 22, 2-3:30 p.m., “Special Topic: Find It in the Library!” Reference librarians Jennifer Spirko and A.J. Rowe will demonstrate how to find books, e-books and other materials patrons need, using not only the library’s catalog computers but also their own computers and tablets at home. Registration is required. Call 865-273-1428 or 865-982-0981 ext. 4 or go to the Reference Desk. This presentation will be located in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Saturday, September 24,  9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (4th Saturday of each month), “Library at Downtown Maryville Farmers Market.” Visit the library’s table for garden- and food-related book suggestions and library information. The Farmers Market is located at Founder’s Square, Downtown Maryville, near CBBC Bank.

Saturday,  September 24,  11 a.m., “Banned Books Week ‘Read Free’.”  In celebration of Banned Book Week, September 25-October 1, library staffers and special guests will read from beloved but banned (or threatened) books to celebrate our nation’s First Amendment Right to “Read Free”! Join in a scavenger hunt that will be happening throughout the day as well. Complete the scavenger hunt to win small prizes. All Ages are welcome to participate in the Main Gallery of the library.

Monday, September 26,  7 p.m., “Southern Appalachian Studies Series: Beekeeping—Past, Present & Future.”  John Skinner, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Apiculture Specialist at the University of Tennessee, will discuss how and when honey bees were first introduced to the Americas, describing early tools that first settlers used, hive design and the simple language of beekeeping. He will cover major advances in bee biology, dance language and reproduction. Changes in hives occurred starting around 1851 with the movable frame hive and then, later, “bee gums,” board hives and modern hives. He will explain colony collapse and decline and will project ahead to what the process of beekeeping will probably be like in fifty years. The program will be in the Sharon Lawson Room.

Résumé Help Sessions – Résumé help sessions are designed to give one-on-one help to job seekers in need of a new or improved résumé. Instructors will be available to help individuals design or update a résumé using current formatting trends. A flash drive with various résumé templates will be provided to participants. Participants should bring job history, including employment addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, list of responsibilities, and salary going back ten years. A reference list can also be completed during a session; please bring reference names and contact information, including address, phone number, and email address.  Each session runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday through Thursday of the designated week. More than one session may be needed to complete a résumé and reference list. Registration is helpful but drop-ins are allowed. Please register at the reference desk. For more information on the program, please call Holly Scarlett at Blount County Adult Education at 865-982-8998. Bring your job history with dates to the computer lab.

Monday, Sept. 26,  9 a.m. to 12 noon (a single one-on-one session)

Tuesday, Sept. 27,  9 a.m. to 12 noon (a single one-on-one session)

Wednesday, Sept. 28,  9 a.m. to 12 noon (a single one-on-one session)

Thursday, Sept. 29,  9 a.m. to 12 noon (a single one-on-one session)

Wednesday, September 28,  11 a.m., “Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts & Probate.”   Matt Haralson, Elder Law Attorney with Kizer & Black Attorneys, PLLC, will discuss how to approach estate planning. He will talk about the difference between wills and trusts and information that’s important to know about, and include, in each. He will also discuss probate, especially in Blount County. The presentation will be in the Dorothy Herron Room A.

 

Tennessee  R.E.A.D.S.  HELP!

 

If you have an e-reader, tablet or other device, you may check out e-books, audiobooks, magazines and streaming movies from Overdrive and Tennessee R.E.A.D.S., through the library website. You can seek personalized help by calling the Reference Desk at 982-0981, ext. 302, or 273-1428 to schedule a time for an appointment.  To set up access to download e-books, audiobooks and materials from the library, bring these items:

  • library card in your name and in good standing,
  • your device (fully charged),
  • email account user name and password,
  • Amazon account sign-in and password,
  • Barnes & Noble account sign-in and password.

You are ready to enjoy your Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. experience!

 

COMPUTER COURSES – Registration Required:

For more information, go to the Blount County Public Library Reference Desk or call (865) 273-1428 or (865) 982-0981, ext. 4.

Basic Introductory Computer Classes:

Basic computer classes are offered, free, at the library: Meet the Mouse: Introduction to Computer Use, Internet Searching, Email, Facebook and monthly Special Topics. Registration is required for all classes by visiting the library’s Reference Desk or calling the library at (865) 273-1428 or (865) 982-0981, ext. 4. Registration for any class opens approximately one month before the class. Each of these one-time classes lasts approximately 90 minutes and is limited to an enrollment of 14 people, but students may take the classes more than once.

“Rookies” classes on Wednesdays are designed for computer users with little or no experience and will focus on very basic skills and techniques. “Beyond the Basics” classes on Thursdays are for computer users who are more comfortable with basic operations, but are not experts. As an example, a Rookie “Intro to Email” class will discuss how to set up an account, choose a password, send email and reply, etc. An “Email Beyond the Basics” class, on the other hand, will assume that students have those basic skills already. It will instead focus on such function as attaching files (pictures, documents, etc.), folders and file management within email, signatures, vacation replies, etc. Students in Beyond the Basics classes should arrive with their login names and passwords relevant to the class topic (email, Facebook etc.).

In addition to the regular slate of classes, the library will offer a Special Topics class on Sept. 22, “Find It in the Library!” Reference librarians Jennifer Spirko and A.J. Rowe will demonstrate how to find the books, e-books and other materials patrons need, using not only the library’s catalog computers but also their own computers and tablets at home.

Please note that the library’s Computer Lab is now designated “Dorothy Herron Room B.” There will be a hiatus in computer classes for the last few weeks of October to accommodate Early Voting.

 

If a person desires to enroll in the Microsoft courses but has had no computer experience, the one-session, class of Meet the Mouse is a pre-requisite.

 

The basic computer class schedule is:

Wednesday, September 7, 2-3:30 p.m., “Intro to Email” (Rookies Class) in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Thursday, September 8, 2-3:30 p.m., “Email Beyond the Basics” in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Wednesday, September 14, 2-3:30 p.m., “Intro to Facebook” (Rookies Class) in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Thursday, September 15, 2-3:30 p.m., “Facebook Beyond the Basics” in the Dorothy Herron B.

Wednesday, September 21, 2-3:30 p.m., “Meet the Mouse” (Rookies Class) in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Thursday, September 22, 2-3:30 p.m., “Special Topic: Find It in the Library!” in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Wednesday, September 28, 2-3:30 p.m., “Intro to Internet” (Rookies Class) in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Thursday, September 29, 2-3:30 p.m., “Google Better: Internet Search Beyond the Basics” in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Wednesday, October 5, 2-3:30 p.m., “Intro to Email” (Rookies Class) in Dorothy Herron Room B.

Thursday, October 6, 2-3:30 p.m., “Email Beyond the Basics” in Dorothy Herron Room B.

 

Microsoft Computer Courses:

Free computer classes are offered in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (2010). Course descriptions and schedules are listed below.  The free classes meet in the Blount County Public Library computer lab. Spaces are limited and registration is required. To register, please visit the library’s Reference Desk or call (865) 982-0981, ext. 4, or (865) 273-1428. Sign up no earlier than one month prior to a class.   (If a person desires to enroll in the Microsoft courses but has had no computer experience, the single session, one-hour class of Meet the Mouse is a pre-requisite; check above in Basic Introductory Classes.)

The free computer courses are offered through a partnership between the Blount County Public Library and the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and made possible by generous funding from the ALCOA Foundation.

Microsoft Word 2010 Essentials – This free class offers a general orientation to Word 2010, including topics such as toolbars/ribbons, shortcuts, save/save as, files/folders, selecting text, moving text, drag and drop, editing, formatting, spell check/thesaurus, page setup, line spacing, the ruler, navigating, changing margins, changing case, word count, bullets/numbering and attachments.

Time:   9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Dates:  This is a 2-session class, so plan to attend both sessions.

 

Session 6

Wednesdays, October 19 and 26, 2016.

 

Microsoft Excel 2010 Essentials – This free class is an introduction to Excel 2010. Topics include toolbars/ribbons; navigation; entering text and formulas; editing and viewing worksheets; introduction to formulas and functions; formatting the contents of cells; changing the appearance of worksheets; changing column width and row height; auto complete; fill series; selecting cell ranges; move and copy shortcuts; inserting/deleting columns and rows; inserting/deleting worksheets; renaming worksheets; and moving worksheets.

 

Time:   9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Dates:  This is a 2-session class, so plan to attend both sessions.

 

Session 5

Wednesdays, September 7 and 14, 2016

 

Session 6

Wednesdays, November 2 and 9, 2016.

 

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Essentials – This free class will provide students with the skills needed to produce a professional-looking presentation. Topics include editing, outlining, drawing, graphing, images, and presentation management functions.

 

Time:   9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

 

Dates:  This is single-session class.

 

Session 5

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

 

Session 6

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

 

Résumé Help Sessions – Résumé help sessions are designed to give one-on-one help to job seekers in need of a new or improved résumé. Instructors will be available to help individuals design or update a résumé using current formatting trends. A flash drive with various résumé templates will be provided to participants. Participants should bring job history, including employment addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, list of responsibilities, and salary going back ten years. A reference list can also be completed during a session; please bring reference names and contact information, including address, phone number, and email address.

Sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday through Thursday of the designated week. More than one session may be needed to complete a résumé and reference list. Registration is helpful but drop-ins are allowed. Please register at the Reference Desk. For more information on the program, please call Holly Scarlett at Blount County Adult Literacy at 865-982-8998.

 

Bring your job history with dates.

 

Time:   9 a.m. – 12 noon.

 

Dates: This is a single session.

 

Session 5:

Monday, September 26, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Thursday, September 29, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

 

Session 6:

Monday, November 28, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

Thursday, December 1, 2016 (a single one-on-one session)

 

TEEN PROGRAMS    –    Phone (865) 273-1414:

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 3, 4 & 5,  “Library Closed in Honor of Labor Day.”

Saturdays,  10 a.m. until 3 p.m.,  “Play Chess at the Library: Every Saturday.”  Middle and high school students (or any age) are invited to play chess.  Tom Jobe coaches most Saturdays in the Teen Central area of the library.  On one Saturday of every month, there will be a rated tournament at the Blount County Public Library.

Thursdays,  1 p.m. until 4 p.m.,  “Play Chess at the Library:  Every Thursday.”  Middle and high school students (or any age) are invited to play chess.  Tom Jobe coaches most Thursdays in the Teen Central area of the library.

Once per month:  “Sanctioned Chess Tournament,” coordinated by Tom Jobe, is held at the library in the Teen Central area.

Saturdays,  3 p.m. until 5 p.m., “Blount County Nerd Group.”  Students can learn the basic principles of computer programming, also known as coding. By participating in the newly-formed Blount County Nerd Group, students seventh grade and up can learn skills such as making simple games, developing professional websites and creating mobile apps. Kaleb Davenport and Garrett Smith will teach coding skills every Saturday from 3 until 5 p.m. throughout the rest of the year at the Blount County Public Library.   Experienced web developers, Davenport and Smith are students at local high schools who have worked very hard to learn about many different technologies and are excited to teach the group. Participating students are encouraged to bring their own technologies including a laptop. However, students who do not have adequate technology will be provided a laptop by the library when necessary.  Power outlets and internet ports will be provided, so students will be able to bring their laptops even if the batteries are old and do not function well. In the constantly changing job market, coding is a huge advantage for students and job seekers. At this library program, be prepared to learn and have fun. The Group will meet in the Board Room.

Saturday,  September 10,  2 p.m. until 4 p.m.,  “Gaming @ Your Library.”  Participate in games of all kind! Board games, MarioKart, Super Smash Bros., Yu-Gi-Oh!, or bring your own game to share! Snacks will be provided. Bring friends! Games will be on the second Saturday of every month in the Dorothy Herron Room A.

Saturday,  September 24, 11 a.m., “Banned Books Week: ‘Read Free’.”  In celebration of Banned Book Week, September 25-October 1, library staffers and special guests will read from beloved but banned (or threatened) books to celebrate our nation’s First Amendment Right to “Read Free”! Join in a scavenger hunt that will be happening throughout the day as well. Complete the scavenger hunt to win small prizes. All Ages are welcome to participate in the Main Gallery of the library.

 

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS:       Phone:  (865) 273-1414

Elementary Age Activities:

Tuesdays,  4 p.m. until 5 p.m., “LEGO Club.” LEGO Club will take place in the children’s library. Kids will complete different-themed and timed LEGO Challenges, as well as have some time for free building. The library will provide the LEGOs, so all you have to bring is your imagination!

Fridays,  4 until 5 p.m.,  “S.T.E.A.M. Kids,” for Grades K-5, In the Children’s Library.  Every week will be a different adventure, from science experiments to art projects and everything in between. Materials will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 3, 4 & 5,  “Library Closed in Honor of Labor Day.”

LEGO Robotics: Youth Services is excited to offer LEGO Robotics classes for teens starting in September. If your kid loves LEGOS, they will love learning new STEM skills while exploring the world of LEGO robotics. Spaces are limited, so please call to register to your child (865) 982-0981 ext. 114. Classes will gather in Children’s Library before moving to a different space

LEGO WeDo (ages 7-11)

6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, September 8

6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, September 15

6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, September 22

6:30-8 p.m., Thursday September 29

 

Saturday,  September 24, 11 a.m., “Banned Books Week: ‘Read Free’.”  In celebration of Banned Book Week, September 25-October 1, library staffers and special guests will read from beloved but banned (or threatened) books to celebrate our nation’s First Amendment Right to “Read Free”! Join in a scavenger hunt that will be happening throughout the day as well. Complete the scavenger hunt to win small prizes. All Ages are welcome to participate in the Main Gallery of the library.

 

Growing Ready Readers — Early Literacy Programs:

 

The Blount County Public Library is committed to growing ready readers and equipping caregivers with the tools they need to help their child be school-ready. Check the Blount County Public Library website (www.blountlibrary.org) or stop by the Children’s Library for more information on monthly themes, supplemental literacy activities for caregivers and more information on early literacy programming for our youngest patrons.

 

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 3, 4 & 5,  “Library Closed in Honor of Labor Day.”

 

Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., “Little Learners,” recommended for ages 3-5. Interactive sessions focus on language acquisition and pre-literacy skills incorporating stories, music, motion, play, crafts and more.

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., “Baby and Me,” recommended for ages 2 and under. These lapsit sessions for baby and caregiver feature short stories, action rhymes, music and pre-literacy tips and tricks for caregivers. It is also a great time for caregivers and babies to socialize!

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6:00 p.m., “Sensory Story Time,” An interactive storytime with stories, songs, movement, and activities designed to increase early literacy skills and provide a safe and open space for children and families to learn and interact. Open to children of all abilities but especially designed for the kids with special needs between the developmental ages of 3 – 5.

 

Library Tours and Outreach

Please call the Children’s Library at (865) 273-1414 or email rbaker@blounttn.org  to schedule tours for your group, class or organization. Also if you would like a librarian to come to your class, community event, or parent night and share about awesome library resources and services for patrons ages 0-18, please call!

 

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS:

September 1 to 30:

“Blount County Arts and Craft Guild Member Art” Exhibit, coordinated by Linda Waterhouse on the Art Wall at the Bookmark Café, on two easels in the sitting area of the Main Gallery, one vertical display case near AV area and in one mid-gallery display case across from the Bookmark Café in the Main Gallery.

“Blount County Photo Club” Exhibit, coordinated by Carol Rothschild, on the Art Panels at the Reading Rotunda end of the Main Gallery and in one square pedestal case in the Entry Rotunda.

“Good Neighbors” Exhibit, coordinated by Lisa Blackwood, in one square pedestal case near AV area.

“Black Bear Solar Institute: Solar Technology” Exhibit, coordinated by Mary Joyce Harris, one vertical display case in the nook of the wall at the end of the check-in desk of Main Gallery.

“Southern Appalachian Studies: Beekeeping” Exhibit, coordinated by Linda Marcus in the Genealogy display case at Temporary Books Shelves.

“Visiting Middle-Earth: Tolkien Memorabilia” Exhibit, coordinated by Jennifer Spirko, in the one mid-gallery display case across from the Bookmark Café in the Main Gallery.

“Banned Books Month” Exhibit, coordinated by BCPL Circulation Staff on two tables between the two Circulation Desks.

 

LIBRARY TOURS & COMMUNITY INFORMATION:

Group Tours of the Main Library and Reference Department may be scheduled by contacting Joan VanSickle Sloan at (865) 273-1408 or Kathleen Christy at (865) 273-1403 or (865) 982-0981, ext. 4.

Group Tours of the Children’s Library may be scheduled by contacting Becca Baker at the Children’s Check-out desk (865) 273-1414.

Community Information about Nonprofit Services or Fine Arts Events (flyers and brochures) is available for the public on the Community Information wall at the Reference area of the library.  If interested in displaying materials, contact Joan VanSickle Sloan at (865)273-1408 or make an appointment to see her at the library.

Outreach programs can be presented by the Library Director, Public Relations Manager or Children’s Librarian for civic organizations, community events, school fairs and special events or parent organizations.  Call (865) 273-1408 (for adult presentations) or (865) 273-1414 (for children’s programs).

Open to the public, this program is hosted by the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville, where services are an example of your tax dollars at work for you.

For further information about library programs or services, call the library at (865)982-0981 or visit the Web site at www.blountlibrary.org . To sign up to receive a monthly calendar by email, go to the library’s Home Page and type your email address in the box at the top right that says “Email for library news.”  Also check out Facebook at “Blount County Public Library, Twitter at “Blount_Library,” Tumblr and Pinterest.