Painted rock photo holders and more at the Sullivan libraries

The Sullivan County Public Library has five locations to serve the community. LIBRARY NEWS All library branches will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday. The Tuesday Zumba class at the Blountville branch is canceled for this week but will return Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. FOR CHILDREN Storytime and Activity with Ms. Nancy. Storytime focuses on fun books and activities to help build skills needed for entering school. This program includes picture-book time along with activities or crafts that help children learn concepts and socialize with other children. Our themes are the same at each branch, so if you miss the storytime at your branch you can always visit another. This week's theme is: "D" is for Dog. Thomas Memorial - Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. Bloomingdale - Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Colonial Heights - Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Blountville - Friday at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. - Baby Bookworms at the Bloomingdale branch. Infants through age 2 and their grown-ups can join us for a special time of bonding through songs and stories. This week's theme is: Sharing! Tuesday at 1 p.m. - Tween Book Club with Ms. Nancy at the Blountville branch. Our new tween book club with Ms. Nancy will be starting the Newberry award-winning book "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Hatchet follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet after a plane crash. Can't make it to the Blountville branch? Join us live online through Google Meet. To get a Google Meet invitation please call 423-279-2714 at least one day prior to the book club meeting. Tuesday at 3 p.m. - Read to Therapy Dog JB or Jackson at the Colonial Heights branch. Boost your child's reading confidence by booking time for them to read to therapy dogs JB and Jackson! Our furry friends are available 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 or Jackson, please call the library at 423-239-1100 or sign up online. Friday at 1 p.m. - Home School Extra Credit: Taste the World at the Blountville branch. Want to discover snacks from around the world? Yes, please! We will explore different countries through the one thing we all love: food! A fun (and edible!) approach to exploring geography for our homeschool patrons. Registration is required for this event. Register online or call us at 423-279-2714. Friday at 2 p.m. - Story Explorers at the Blountville branch. Join Ms. Nancy for some exploratory fun! We'll investigate different themes each week through science, books and art! For elementary age readers. This week we'll explore Solar Systems. Friday at 4 p.m. - The Gold Star Book Club at the Colonial Heights branch. This is a fun and inspiring reading group for kids ages 8–12 who love great stories! This club focuses on award-winning books, so join us each Friday as we read through the book together. This month's book is "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly. This week we will begin reading chapters 3-13 together. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. - Little Librarian Orientation at the Thomas Memorial branch. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the library? Come to Thomas Memorial and learn what goes on in the library each day! We will show you how we shelve, find books for patrons, check in/check out books, and more! It's sure to be a fun time for everyone. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 3:30 p.m. - Kids' Computer Basics Class at the Colonial Heights branch. Kids 6-12 can register for a spot on our computer crew! Attendees will learn the basics of computer hardware vs. software, mouse and keyboard skills, and internet safety during this class led by Colonial Heights staff. Chromebook laptops and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP by Sept. 14. FOR ALL AGES Wednesday at 4 p.m. - All Ages Painted Rock Photo Holders at the Colonial Heights branch. Looking for a cute way to display your back-to-school photos or that awesome pic of you and your bestie? Stop by the Colonial Heights branch and make your very own painted rock photo holder! We will use basic wire wrapping techniques to turn a simple rock into a decorative, functional piece of art! All ages are welcome, and all supplies will be provided. Friday at 6 p.m. - All Ages Fishing Lures - Bass Lures Craft at the Blountville branch. Join us for an evening of lure creation as we make bass lures fit for rod and reel! Create your own lure, learn the best ways to catch fish in the area, and enjoy refreshments while supplies last. All skill levels and all ages welcome. RSVP in person or online. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. - All Ages Squishy Stress Ball Craft (afternoon) at the Blountville branch. Sometimes you just need a cozy squish to keep your hands and brain occupied! Join us to make your very own squishy stress ball. Registration is required. Please sign up online, in person or call 423-279-2714. FOR ADULTS AND TEENS Geri Fit is a fitness program designed exclusively for older adults and those with physical disabilities. Geri-Fit will be offered at our Thomas Memorial branch on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Geri-Fit at the Blountville branch will not take place this week due to the holiday. Gentle Chair Yoga is an adapted yoga practice that allows you to stay seated while practicing yoga focused poses. This week, Chair Yoga will be offered at the Thomas Memorial branch on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m., at the Colonial Heights branch Wednesdays at 9 a.m., and at the Bloomingdale Baptist Shelter Building Friday at 10 a.m. Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. - After Hours Adult Craft: Painted Barn Quilt Canvases at the Sullivan Gardens branch. Get ready for cozy season with a barn-quilt inspired painted canvas! Participants will choose from a variety of traditional quilt patterns and colors and learn a little bit of quilting history. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. - Adult Knit and Crochet Group at the Blountville branch. A group of fiber enthusiasts who get together weekly to work on projects aimed at helping members of our community. Our Wednesday session is for adults only, but our bimonthly Saturday sessions are open to ages 8 and up. All skill levels are welcome. This is not an instructional event. Thursday at 1 p.m. - Tech Assistance Hour at the Bloomingdale branch. Have questions about any technical devices? Not sure how to set up an email account? Need help with a phone app? We can help! Come by the Bloomingdale branch library between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and we will be glad to answer questions and seek solutions. Bring your phone or tablet with you. No registration needed. Thursday at 5 p.m. - Mahjong Tile Time at the Blountville branch. Already learned how to play Mahjong and are looking for other players or a place to practice? Still learning how to play? This time is for you! We've set up Mahjong Tile Time at the Blountville branch library twice a month. Bring your Mahjong set, if you have one, or use ours with the group. A minimum of six players is required for play. We will contact you if minimum is not reached. Registration is required. Thursday at 5:30 p.m. - You and Your Sewing Machine at the Colonial Heights branch. Open to ages 12+. Jennifer Rasnake, a local sewist, will lead participants through using their sewing machines, practicing stitches, and creating a pillow to take home. You will learn how to operate your sewing machine proficiently, how to wind a bobbin, and how to sew curves and corners. Participants must bring their sewing machine. All other materials will be provided. Registration is required. BRANCH LOCATIONS To register or find other upcoming events, call or come by one of the branches: • Sullivan Main, 1655 Blountville Blvd., Blountville, 423-279-2714. • Bloomingdale, 3230 Van Horn St., Kingsport, 423-288-1310. • Colonial Heights, 149 Pactolus Road, Kingsport, 423-239-1100. • Sullivan Gardens, 104 Bluegrass Drive, Kingsport, 423-349-5990. • Thomas Memorial, 481 Cedar St., Bluff City, 423-538-1980.