As the weeks pass on, the goal of the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library stays the same.

Offering an outreach to the adult population of the community, staff member Maryann Owen recently announced the facility will host computer classes to help provide information to the public.

The “Basic Computer Classes” will be held June 12, 19 and 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. each day and be under the direction of instructor Danny Lane.

Owen added that space is limited and that preregistration is required.

One perk of offering the class is allowing the public to utilize the resource for free, Owen said. Over the months, the facility looks at offering different community-based projects and initiatives to help the public, along with their regular service as a library.

“We want to be a place for everyone,” Library Director Renita Barksdale recently told the Elizabethton Star. “This is our community hub. We keep seeing our numbers grow each year and we want to keep offering different resources to the public to be part of the growth in Elizabethton and Carter County.”

Away from the confines in downtown Elizabethton, library staff also partners in a variety of activities throughout the community. The library works with the Carter County Community Advisory Board, Parks & Rec, UT – Extension, Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition and other outlets to offer different events for community members of all ages.

Another outlet being offered by the facility is yoga classes, set for June 15, 22, 29 — also free to the general public. Registration is also required to participate.

Residents were able to have a first-hand encounter with the library’s services programs thanks in part to a weekend RAM clinic that was hosted at the location.

Over 200 residents were able to take advantage of the resources offered by volunteers, which ranged from dental to vision services.

Raising awareness for these types of issues can prove to be important for further growth in the community, according to the library director.

“We didn’t have enough spots to help the people who are in need,” Barksdale said. “We had several people who cried because we had to turn them away since we couldn’t provide that service and it was heartbreaking. We’re hoping the city and county leaders see that we need something bigger. Our citizens do need help.

“It takes a library to raise a community. We see there’s a need and now we all need to work together to see that that need is fulfilled for our community.”

Moving forward, staff indicate the hope to bulk up the different opportunities available. To learn more about the library or to register for the mentioned classes, visit the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library.