Surprising things you can find at the local library
You might be surprised what you can find at the local library
If your to-do list includes getting a passport, researching your genealogy, mending a hemline, downloading a book, searching for your next job and entertaining the kids today, you can knock that out in one trip to the Chattanooga Public Library. And that’s not all. You can also grab a movie or even record a song while you’re there.
These are some of the surprising tasks and services that can be done at the library.
And for all of you traditionalists, the library still circulates books — a couple hundred thousand on shelves and another 70,000 electronic books, says Mary Jane Spehar, deputy director of operations.
Easily a quarter-million titles for anyone who might think the library is getting too modern. “Believe me, we’re still open for business [with books],” she says.
Visitors only need a library card to
take advantage of all that’s available. It’s free to anyone who lives or owns property in Chattanooga or who works in city government. It’s $50 per year to anyone else, but it’ll be the most cost-efficient $50 ever spent, says Spehar.
Learn more at https://chattlibrary.org.
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PASSPORTS: Of the four branches with the Chattanooga Public Library system, only the downtown location offers passport processing because that’s where there are trained staff to do it. The
library is becoming more popular for the service because it offers longer hours to get it done.
The processing fee of $35 is set by the state, and it’s the same at the library and the post office. But while the downtown post office closes at 4:30 Monday through Friday, the library stays open to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (closed on Sundays). People interested in getting a passport should call 423-643-7724 to make an appointment so that someone trained in processing passports will be available.
This month is a good time to call because the demand isn’t as high as it is in January and February when people get passports in preparation for summer travel, says Spehar. Diane Moore is the passport coordinator.
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SEWING: The library offers Sew What, a sewing class at 4 p.m. Thursdays on the 4th Floor.
All that’s needed is a library card. The library provides the sewing machine and some scrap material. Visitors may bring their own material to sew dresses or other clothing.
The library welcomes people who want to use the machines when class is not in session.
“All kinds of of people come in for the Sew What class, from ages 10 to 80,” says Meredith Levin, head of youth services. “What people are making directly impacts their lives.”
She calls sewing machines the “OG (old gangster, i.e. old school)” of makerspace, the collaborative spaces where people gather to get creative with DIY projects, invent new ones and share ideas.
Librarian assistant Megan Emery, who teaches the Sew What class, says she’s had students as young as age 4.
“One of my favorite things about the class is that you see big kids teaching little kids and adults teaching each other, and it turns into this big community event. It’s an encouraging thing to watch,” she says.
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GENEALOGY: The third floor of the library offers card holders free use of its subscription to Ancestry, one of the largest online family history databases. The library also subscribes to Heritage Quest, which includes family and local histories and Revolutionary War files. And it has census and death records. “If you want to do genealogical family history, we have resources to help,” says Spehar.
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YOUTH PROGRAMMING: If your kids don’t have plans for the rest of the summer or after school this fall, consider the free programming offered at the library. There are activities for all ages. Baby Bounce at the downtown library is scheduled at 10 a.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The class targets babies from newborns to 18 months old. Once a month, the library partners with UTC’s Department of Performing Arts to offer Symphonic Tales, music with storytelling and acting that targets preschoolers and elementary-age children. Tweens and teens can participate in clubs devoted to chess, Scrabble, film and pen pals. Learn more by visiting the second floor of the library, or call 423-6437700.
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THE STUDIO: The library offers a full-service sound studio and classes that teach sound engineering. Songwriters may come in to create demos. (Hear some of them perform on the Times Free Press’ weekly Facebook Live program Music Wednesdays.)
Visitors can’t just walk in. You’ll need to call ahead and reserve the studio for three hours at a time. Visitors only need a library card for access, says Spehar. Call Charles Allison at 423-643-7720 to learn more or to schedule studio time.
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JOB SEARCHES:
The library also puts an updated twist on some traditional services. Most people expect public computers at the library, but maybe you didn’t know that the library has really good databases to help people get jobs. Librarians won’t edit a person’s resume, but they can point out the sites to visit on the computer. Visitors can submit their resume and get instant feedback on what’s good about it and what needs to be improved.
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THE LATEST MOVIES: People know the library has DVDs — not just educational documentaries but the latest movie titles. When “Antman and the Wasp” is available at stores on DVD, the library will have it too.
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ELECTRONIC BOOKS: Don’t forget that the library still has books, says Spehar. What’s different about that is its collection of electronic books for users of Kindle and other electronic devices. Instead of buying books, you can check them out from the library and download them to your device. They can never get lost or be overdue because when the due date comes, the volume vanishes off the computer.
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A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO: Need a head shot of yourself or a quality photo of a product you’re trying to sell? The 4th Floor downtown has a professional-grade camera available by appointment.
“We don’t pretend we’re really good photographers, but we furnish the equipment [and the backdrop],” Spehar says.
Call 423-643-7753 for an appointment.
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HAND TOOLS AND POWER TOOLS: A basic selection of DIY tools — clamps, socket wrench sets, small power tools — is almost ready for checkout at the downtown branch. Spehar says it’s for people who don’t need a whole set of tools but don’t want to go out and buy a hammer.
“It’s not like you could redo your house with all of our tools,” she says, “but it’s basic, standard fare that wouldn’t take any special training to use.”
You must be at least 18 and sign a waiver. Call 423643-7740 for more information.