Library offers computer classes, CD sale
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For many communities the public library has become a hub for informational and educational programs, and ideally, programs that seek to entertain while they inform. That is certainly the case with Magness Library.
Already the center of a wide variety of innovative programs, library director Mary Robbins says the facility has a number of interesting events in store for Magness patrons.
First will be an open house at the library on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with refreshments being served.
The library is also repeating one of its more popular programs in December. On three consecutive Mondays, beginning Monday, Dec. 6 and continuing Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, the library will be offering free Windows-based computer classes.
There will be two classes each night, one running from 6 to 7 p.m., and one from 7 to 8 p.m. The classes are open to the public, but those interested need to register by no later than Friday, Dec. 3. The classes are in a series, so each student should expect to come for all three evenings.
There is no charge for the classes, which will be held in the genealogy department and taught by the library’s director of computer services Brad Walker.
At the end of this week, the library will be having its holiday book and CD sale Nov. 26-27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The exciting thing about this event, according to Robbins, is the wide choice of new music CDs that will be available for sale.
“There was a court case with Time-Warner,” Robbins said, “and as part of the settlement they were required to give music CDs, thousands of them, to public libraries. And the libraries in Tennessee were fortunately among the recipients of that. These got distributed through the regional library system.”
Robbins was able choose a variety of CDs to start a music collection for the library, like all the other regional libraries. But when all the facilities had made their selections, there were a substantial quantity of CDs left over. These were distributed among the libraries to sell and use the funds to buy other music for their collections or books about music.
The CDs will be selling for $3 each and should offer some major bargains for local music lovers no matter what their preference with styles ranging from rap, to classical, to Christmas music.
Another project Robbins is excited about is a state grant that will allow the library to obtain Spanish language materials. Robbins attended a workshop on how to utilize the materials and develop outreach programs for local Spanish-speaking residents and plans to have a workshop locally for Magness staff and volunteers in December.
Magness Library is continuing its seasonal reading programs and established a young adults department this past July. The library is making good use of the big-screen TV donated by local patrons by showing movies on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. This program is set up to encourage reading, so the only admission is a library receipt where patrons have checked out a book.