Offering informative sessions for health programs is just one of the many things the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library dabbles with throughout the year.

With a widespread amount of patrons funneling through during hours of operation, the facility has expanded its reach to not only just books. Due to the size of the building and goal of being a “community hub” to offer resources to citizens, the public library has stayed busy with seminars and events, and will continue to do so this month in regards to programs focused on healthy lifestyles.

Thursday was a busy day across the board, according ECCPL Adults Services Coordinator Maryann Owen. Owen was in the process of getting things together for reflexology, a course that was going to be offered by instructor Judy Addington later that afternoon, but added the instructor will be back Saturday, Aug. 11, for another unique course – this time in aromatherapy.

“Judy has been great to work with,” Owen said. “This goes with the theme of different health programs we’ve offered for adults services over the past couple of months.”

The weekend event is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 a.m. and offer informative tips about the benefits of aroma and color therapy. Owen added the event is free and open to the public.

While Owen worked to get the schedule together for the rest of the week’s activities, a handful of Carter County School System nurses were gathered inside the ECCPL community room Thursday receiving vital training in regards to Adverse Childhood Experiences.

The State of Tennessee has taken an extra step to address childhood trauma by offering seminars throughout the state to make health providers better aware of the situation.

Nurses were treated with a session titled “Key Principles of Trauma Information Care and Developing a Trauma Informed Approach,” which gives the public necessary information about addressing childhood trauma and what steps to take to assist a child.

Thursday’s event was being spearheaded by Jason Abernathy with Insight Alliance. Insight Alliance, Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition and Sullivan County Anti Drug Coalition are also partnering together to offer a free trauma informed care training session to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the library. Following the ACEs training, participants can stick around for free naloxone training from 5 to 6 p.m. and learn how to administer the drug in the event of an opioid overdose. Other events are also going on at the library, including a donation event to gather new children’s socks for foster children at Isaiah 117.

To learn more about the upcoming events and the ECCPL, visit their Facebook page or call (423) 547-6360.