Maynardville Public Library has kicked off their Annual Summer Reading Program, A Universe of Stories. Reading is made fun with creative ways to earn prizes, rewards, and many perks of online programs. All ages are invited to join in on the program, youth and adult.

All summer from June 1 to July 6, a weekly Story Time is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the library (296 Main Street, Maynardville, Tennessee). Upcoming Story Times and special guests include June 18 - 4-Her Meradeth Whitley, June 20 – Storyteller Brooke Cox, June 25 – Ollie Otter, and June 26 – to be announced. Also on Thursdays, the library hosts Teen Day Movie Time from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. Fridays are Craft Day, meeting at 1:00 pm to flex creativity on crafts and other fun activities.

Summer Reading is for all ages. It is simple to sign up, just stop by the library during open hours, Monday 8am – 5pm, Tuesday 9am - 6pm, closed Wednesday’s, Thursday 9am – 6pm, Friday 8am – 5pm, and Saturday 9am – 1pm. You can also signup easily online at MaynardvillePublicLibrary.org.

After applying to be a part of the program, participants are ready to stop by to meet library staff and pick up their reading tickets. The tickets are used so that readers can log their hours of reading and return them to the library for prizes. The prize selection is an engaging, fun activity in itself. The kids turn in tickets, then get to throw a ball into the prize box with a galaxy backboard and lots of jars full of prizes inside. Whichever jar the ball lands in, that is the prize you receive.

On July 6, there will be an End of Summer Celebration to conclude the Summer Reading program in a fun, festive fashion. Watermelon, ice cream, firetrucks hosing down the kids, 100 foot slip-n-slide, what could be more deserving after a summer filled with voluntary reading? So far, there have been 160 to sign up for the program, but signups are open throughout the summer so it is never too late to join!

The local library is a wealth of resources. On September 7, there will be an author rally. This event, like many of the library’s programs, is free. Anyone who is a writer is invited to attend and meet folks, sell their materials, or just come to check out the event. Free computer classes are offered on several topics, by appointment, including how to setup email, use Facebook, design a website, sell your products online, and set up a home-based business. A Small Business Expo will be held next on March 21, 2020 spotlighting local businesses and resources.

Not only are there unlimited resources and programs available physically at the library, the options are endless on the web as well. Library staff works hard to keep social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook up to date. On the library website, you will find hundreds of free resources for nearly any task you wish to achieve. With a library card number, members can login to R.E.A.D.S (Regional eBook and Audiobook Download System) where there is access to thousands of eBooks and audio books right at your fingertips. RB Digital is a program that has audiobooks for children and young adults. A program called Transparent Language builds listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for 100+ languages. There are endless resources for all ages.

The library has three staff members, full time are Director Chantay Collins and Assistant Mandi Suddath with Tameka Chesney as a part time Assistant. These three offer so many options in programming and resources to the community and youth. As in most cases, the library could use a third full time employee to help increase service availability. If you haven’t already, be sure to stop by the library and join in on Summer Reading or simply to explore resources available to you.