Speed puzzles and more at Sullivan libraries

The Sullivan County Public Library has five locations to serve the community. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Are you looking to help members of our community in a meaningful way? The Sullivan County Public Library in partnership with the United Way of Kingsport and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance are looking for volunteers to help provide tax assistance from February through April. The commitment would only be two days per week or less. Positions include, greeters, interviewers and tax preparers. All tools and training are provided. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Blountville branch of the Sullivan County Public Library at 423-279-2714. Appointments for tax preparation are now available at our Blountville branch or V.O. Dobbins in Kingsport. To register please visit www.uwaykpt.org/vita or call the Blountville branch at 423-279-2714. Tax appointments begin in February and end in early April. FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS Monday at 10:30 a.m. - Sing N' Play Storytime at the Blountville branch. Infants through age 2 and their grown-ups can join us for a special time of bonding through songs and stories. Monday at 4:30 p.m. - Teen/Tween Dungeons and Dragons Game. Monthly D&D game for ages 8-14. New players or players who do not come frequently should RSVP to get your character ready for the game. Pre-K Storytime and Activity with Ms. Nancy. For kids ages 2-5 years old. This week's theme will be: Hats and Mittens! You can attend Pre-K Storytime at Thomas Memorial on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m., Bloomingdale on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., Colonial Heights on Thursday at 9:30 a.m., and Blountville on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. - Baby Bookworms at the Bloomingdale Library. Infants through age 2 and their grown-ups can join us for a special time of bonding through songs and stories. Rhythm and play helps even the youngest among us prepare for reading and speech. This week's theme will be: Do you see the moon? Tuesday at 3 p.m. - Read to Therapy Dog JB at the Colonial Heights branch. Therapy Dog JB will be in the library by appointment between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to listen to young readers as they practice their new skills. To schedule your child's 15-minute appointment to read to JB, please call 423-239-1100 or sign up online through our website. Tuesday at 4 p.m. - Magic Tree House Book Club with Ms. Nancy at the Thomas Memorial Library. This week we'll continue the 11th book in the series, "Lions at Lunchtime." Can't make it to Thomas Memorial in Bluff City? We offer this class live on Zoom. Call 423-538-1980 to receive a Zoom invitation. Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. - Children's Classics Book Club at the Colonial Heights branch. This month we will be reading "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. Thursday at 1:30 p.m. - Greek Mythology for kids at the Colonial Heights branch. This class is recommended for ages 8-12. Thursday at 3:30 p.m. - Kids' Chess Club at the Bloomingdale branch. Need someone to play chess with? This club is for elementary and middle school ages. It is great for meeting other players and practicing your strategies. Friday at 1 p.m. - Magic Tree House Book Club at the Blountville library. This week we'll begin "Polar Bears Past Bedtime." This book club is also available on Zoom. Call the branch to get an invitation. Friday at 2 p.m. - Kids' Classics Book Club at the Blountville branch. We will be reading "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. This book club is geared toward ages 6-12. Can't make it to Blountville? This book club can be joined live online through Zoom. Please call a couple of days prior to the meeting to request a link to our Zoom meeting. Friday at 2 p.m. - Art History for Kids at the Colonial Heights branch - Going for Baroque. For kids ages 8-12. This week we'll be discussing Baroque architecture. FOR ALL AGES Thursday, starting at 4 p.m. - Visit with Annie the Therapy Dog. Come get a little dog comfort or companionship. You can practice reading to her or just enjoy her company. Visits with Annie are open to anyone age 5 and up. Please RSVP for your 15-minute time slot in person, by phone or online. Saturday, Jan. 31, at noon - Salt Art Snowflakes at the Thomas Memorial branch. Join us for a fun wintry STEAM activity! Create some salt art and learn how to paint snowflakes with salt! All ages welcome! Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2-4 p.m. - Speed Puzzle Competition at the Bloomingdale branch. How fast can you put a puzzle together? Teams of two are invited to enter this competition to see who can finish their puzzle first. We will provide the puzzles. Just come ready to win a prize! Sign up in teams of two. Want to compete but don't have a partner? Let us know by phone and we will try to pair you with someone. Please RSVP by Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. in person, by phone or online through our website calendar. Monday, Feb. 2, at 3:30 p.m. - Cursive Writing Workshop at the Sullivan Gardens branch. Get fancy with your handwriting and practice or learn some cursive writing techniques at the Sullivan Gardens branch. We will use books and worksheets to practice. This program is open to all ages, and all materials will be provided. Monday, Feb. 2, at 4:30 p.m. - Groundhog Day Storytime and Craft at the Thomas Memorial branch. It's Groundhog Day! Come for some after-school fun by listening to the story "Owen the Busy Groundhog" by Lisa Crim Galioto and make your own cute groundhog puppet to take with you! Saturday, Feb. 7 - Take Your Child to the Library Day events happening at Blountville, Colonial Heights and Bloomingdale. Colonial Heights' Celebration is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop in any time during that time frame for a library-themed scavenger hunt and a special craft. You can also catch storytime with Mr. Daniel at noon and 1 p.m. Bloomingdale is having a Prairie Style celebration at 2 p.m. Take Your Child to the Library Day happens to land on Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthday, so they are celebrating with a special storytime featuring "Little House on the Prairie." Come dressed up in pioneer clothing or just bring your pioneer spirit! There will be crafts and snacks. Blountville will be celebrating with Ms. Nancy at 1 p.m. They'll have some stories about the library, then go on a scavenger hunt and explore! There will be two levels of scavenger hunts: an easy one perfect for littles still learning about the library, and a more extensive one for our seasoned young users. No RSVP required for Take Your Child to the Library Day! Friday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m. - A Very Superstitious After-Hours Program at the Sullivan Gardens branch. Celebrate the unluckiest day of the year at the Sullivan Gardens branch with our Superstition Party! Test your luck with superstition trivia and a scavenger hunt to find lucky and unlucky symbols hidden around the library, and make your own luck with lucky charm bracelets. No registration is required, and all ages are welcome! EVENTS FOR ADULTS Geri Fit is a fitness program designed exclusively for older adults, and those with physical disabilities. Geri-Fit is offered at our Thomas Memorial branch on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. It is also offered at our Blountville branch on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. Gentle Chair Yoga is an adapted yoga practice that allows you to stay seated while practicing yoga focused poses. Chair Yoga is offered at the Thomas Memorial branch on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. The Blountville branch offers Chair Yoga on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. The Colonial Heights branch offers Chair Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m., and our Bloomingdale branch offers this program on Mondays and Fridays at 10 a.m. Due to limited space, please call 423-288-1310 to sign up for the Bloomingdale branch's program or sign up online. Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. - Adult Craft: After-hours Sashiko-inspired Mug Rugs at the Sullivan Gardens branch. Registration is required. Tuesday at 6 p.m. - Zumba at the Blountville branch. Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. - Adult Knit and Crochet Group. Our Wednesday session is for adults only. But our bimonthly Saturday sessions are open to ages 8 and up. All skill levels welcome. This is not an instructional event. Thursday at 6 p.m. - Under the Covers Romance Book Club. Bring a snack to share and get ready to dish. This month's book is "Lights Out" by Navessa Allen. It is a 4 out of 5 on the spice-o-meter. BRANCH LOCATIONS To register or find other upcoming events, call or come by one of the branches: — Sullivan main branch, 1655 Blountville Blvd., Blountville, 423-279-2714. — Bloomingdale branch, 3230 Van Horn St., Kingsport, 423-288-1310. — Colonial Heights branch, 149 Pactolus Road, Kingsport, 423-239-1100. — Sullivan Gardens branch, 104 Bluegrass Drive, Kingsport, 423-349-5990. — Thomas Memorial branch, 481 Cedar St., Bluff City, 423-538-1980.