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STAR CORRESPONDENT

When one thinks of a library, the mind goes immediately to a place where books can be checked out — from fiction to autobiographies.

However, one doesn’t always see the opportunities that the local library can offer in making their community a better place.

Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library Director Bernadette Weese would be the first one to tell anyone that the offerings provided by the library reach much farther than what may be written on the pages of a book.

Weese admitted that the biggest thing that the library has is all the community partnerships that have been established.

The library partners with the Elizabethton Senior Center, the Carter County Health Department, and the University of Tennessee Extension Office, as well as the Drug Prevention Coalition and Jeremiah School, just to name a few.

During Valentine’s Day, the library assisted with the Valentine’s fundraiser breakfast at the Senior Center due to the services offered by the center being vital to the community.

The teen library offers programs such as movie night, where teens can come to a safe place and enjoy spending time with other teens.

Recently, a crafting session was offered for teens to come and work on cross-stitch, crocheting, or any other crafts, allowing the teens to just be themselves while relaxing, reconnecting, and recharging.

Parenting classes that are court-approved are another resource that helps make the community stronger. These classes are offered on the second Wednesday of every month.

On the fourth Wednesday of the month, the library has partnered with the Mommy and Me Recovery House, Drug Prevention Coalition, and Jeremiah School in sponsoring a family dinner book club.

The Jeremiah School is a school for those on the autism spectrum, which allows these individuals to meet so they can get the skills and knowledge to interact with everyone, using their interests such as cooking and crafting.

Participants get food, books, and activities to take home, so they can learn to communicate with their children.

Utilizing grants to provide training on the 13 public access computers, the library has the means to teach computer classes ranging from basic computers and coding to even making Christmas cards.

The public can also come in and utilize the computers without even having a library card.

Those using the computers will have full access to the internet, and with programs available to help the community write resumes, seek jobs, and even offer free public Wi-Fi where outside devices can be used anywhere in the library.

It’s just the tip of the iceberg on what one can find at the public library. With over 60,000 pieces of reading material along with all the services offered, one can easily see how the library makes things better for children and adults where these libraries exist.