Outreach projects continue to grow at public library
Published 5:24 pm Friday, January 26, 2018
- Star Photo/Curtis Carden Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library is continuing its goal of building up ithe outreach program to residents throughout the community. Pictured, ECCPL's Maryann Owen poses with books that will be distributed during the facility's second round of the mobile library.
Patrons can expect a little trickle of color when they visit the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library in the coming weeks.
Expanding the outreach of the facility has been key for the new year and Maryann Owen with ECCPL recently announced the library is partnering with Blue River Studio, the East Tennessee State University Storytime program and the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild to offer a storytelling event on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library.
Local storytellers, including Terry Arington, Judy Donley, Rudi Angelmaier and Kelly Swartzlander will be on site to perform their stories.
Saturday’s event is considered the first project in part of a blossoming partnership between the library and Blue River Stado located in downtown Elizabethton.
“This is just one of the results as part of us reaching out to Blue River Studio,” said Owen. “(Karen Hitchcock) has been amazing to work with.”
One of the goals of the partnership, Owen said, is to include paintings inside the library courtesy of local artists.
“We’re looking to highlight some of our local artists,” she said. “This gives the public a chance to see what some of our artists have to offer, and what Blue River Studio brings to the area.”
Owen added she is also excited to be part of the Blue River Studio’s Art Walk Committee — a group of local leaders and volunteers currently planning the 2018 Art Walk to highlight music and visual pieces all throughout downtown Elizabethton.
Along with the plans in place Owen that herself and Becca Dugger have looked at other ways of getting people involved, include a bookcase to highlight local authors.
“I’m very excited about all of it,” Owen said. “Art makes the world a better place. We don’t have a museum where we can appreciate all the local art, so I’m hoping that we can bring that type of element here to the library.”
Another portion of the outreach looking to grow this year is the mobile library at different rehab centers in the area. Owen added the library is adding Sycamore Springs this year to the program.
To learn more about the different events going on at the library, visit their Facebook page or call (423) 547-6360.
