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Coming up this weekend is the Spring 2024 book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library – the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library.

The sale will be held April 11 for Friends of the Library members, and Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the public. The sale will be held at the Parks and Rec Center, 300 W. Mill St.

The Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library is about more than books and reading.

Some of the best things in life are free – including libraries. It’s no longer a place where a stern librarian frowns and shushes loudly to “be quiet” as they once did, but our library is a community center where people can gather and learn arts and crafts and a variety of skills through programs and events.

The local library has a Teen Tuesday, a time when teens are welcome to come and do crafts, play games and hang out. There is Qigong…know what that is? It, too, happens every Tuesday and consists of gentle moves which benefit our health and well being. There is “Tea Talk” every Wednesday, where patrons can learn about herbal benefits and alternate ways to gain and maintain a healthy lifestyle…and enjoy a cup of great tea.

All of this in addition to games, crafts, and books.

Adults and children alike can find programming specific to them, from informative classes, to reading time for toddlers, to teen spaces.

Books are still the main business at the local library, providing fact or fiction – knowledge, travel, and fantasy trips to other dimensions. New writers are always emerging and the library keeps current as possible with its limited budget.

In a couple of months the Summer Reading Program will begin, and it will be entertaining as well as educational with workshops and activities for the children attending.

The library is also happy to receive your donations of good, clean books, which may be shelved for readers or put in the next fundraiser book sale. Audio books in good condition are also accepted and appreciated.

This weekend’s book sale is a fundraiser for the library to provide for needs that the library may have.

In a time of rising costs of everything, it’s a wonderful gift that libraries still check out books, games, audio books, offer a place to cool off in the summer, read quietly or hang out with friends – all for free.

Libraries help build a sense of community. Albert Einstein is credited with saying: “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”

If he didn’t say it, he should have. It’s a good quote and true.

If you don’t find a book at this weekend’s sale, chances are you will run into a friend, or make a new friend. Check it out and see for yourself.