You may recall the story we published in March 2020 introducing the SLOTH reading program, encouraging children to Slow down, Learn, Overcome obstacles, Think, and be Happy. No doubt you also recall the rapid closings that year due to the Coronavirus. Although the SLOTH launch didn’t go exactly as planned, the program has moved forward. Kids are picking up their SLOTH reading buddies at the library and turning in their participation reports to earn prizes. To learn more, visit https://www.maynardvillepubliclibrary.org/read-to-your-sloth.
Special guests will be visiting the Maynardville Library this summer including Big Ridge Park Ranger Derek Wilson with snakes, Mr. Berry and Sam the Turtle, The Knoxville Zoo and Virtual Puppets/Ventriloquist.
Other additions made to the library to enhance the Summer Reading program include Animal Section, New Puppet Theatre, Overhead projector (inherited from upstairs courtroom) for hosting meetings, etc. and Tales and Tails
The new puppet theatre provides the materials and guidance for children to make marionettes encouraging them to create characters and introducing new puppets “Wonky Donkey,” on his first day of unicorn school and “Rocky Racoon,” a new baby puppet.
The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages with programs and prizes designed for readers from age 0-100. Most of the summer reading program materials are provided by funds from the United Way and saving and reusing or upcycling existing resources. For example, boards from old bookcases have been repainted and reused as open shelves, Library Director Chantay Collins doesn’t throw anything away.
Services available for adults also include:
Classes by appointment
1. How to set up an email
2. How to use Facebook.
3. How to design a website
4. How to sell your products online
5. How to set up a home-based business
The Maynardville library is an Imagination Station that provides books to children age 0-5. If you live in Union County and have children under the age of five who are not yet receiving books from the Imagination Library, please contact the Maynardville Public Library at: mayna2bk@comcast.net or call 865-992-7106 to enroll your child.
Unfortunately the Healthy Kids Day and Small Business Expo have been cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but the library is fully open, so you can come in person or participate online. The library is at 296 Main Street in Maynardville and is open Monday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed Wednesday and Sunday.