Visit the Knoxville Public Library: Hours & Services
How can the Knoxville Public Library meet your needs and join your busy life so well? The library serves a wide range of interests and acts as a learning and fun center. It has many locations, with the Lawson McGhee Library being the most active in downtown Knoxville.
Here, you’ll find a vast collection of reading materials, digital tools, and fun events for all ages. It’s more than a place for books; it’s a gathering spot for the whole community.
Key Takeaways
- The Knoxville Public Library offers varied operating hours to accommodate everyone’s schedule, with most branches open until 8:00 PM on weekdays.
- Free library cards are available to Knox County residents, giving access to an array of resources and services.
- The library provides extensive community events, from children’s storytimes to author talks.
- Digital resources, free WiFi, and computer access are available at all library locations in Knoxville.
- Meeting and study rooms can be booked for group work or individual study needs.
- Historical resources and archives are centralized at the East Tennessee History Center.
Library Hours and Locations
The Knoxville Public Library has many branches. Each one is made to meet the community’s needs. This includes having different Knoxville library hours to suit everyone’s schedule. Whether you’re in the city center or a quiet area, you’ll find a library nearby. Here are the main libraries you can check out.
Lawson McGhee Library
At 500 W. Church Ave, you’ll find the Lawson McGhee Library. It’s a key spot in the Knoxville Library lineup. The library is open six days a week, giving plenty of time to discover, learn, and enhance your skills. Here’s when you can visit Lawson McGhee:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Bearden Branch Library
The Bearden Branch Library is known for its wide range of resources and services. It is a significant part of the Knoxville Library network. Located for easy access, the Bearden Branch has extended hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Burlington Branch Library
The Burlington Branch Library serves a lively community. It provides easy access to resources for learning and fun. This branch adjusts its Knoxville library hours to be as helpful as possible:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
The Knoxville Library network tries to meet the various needs of its users. It does this by being open a lot and being available in many places. Be sure to stop by your local library to see what’s on offer.
Knoxville Public Library: Services Offered
The Knoxville Public Library works hard to serve its community. It offers everything from books to free WiFi. It also has modern meeting rooms. This means people have more ways to learn and grow.
Book Lending and Returns
Books are at the heart of what this library does. Every branch has lots of books to borrow. This is great for people who love to read or learn. Returning books is easy, so patrons can enjoy their reading without stress.
Free WiFi and Computer Access
Being connected is key in today’s world. That’s why the library has free WiFi. It’s in all branches. This lets visitors browse, do research, or keep in touch without any trouble. Terminals are also there for anyone needing digital help or a quiet place to work.
Meeting and Study Rooms
The library offers rooms for meeting and studying. They have spaces for both quiet study and group work. There’s a big community room that fits over 50 people. It can be used for different events. This includes workshops and group activities.
Knoxville Library Catalog Overview
The Knoxville library catalog opens the door to a diverse world of materials. People can easily explore bestsellers, classics, and more. This happens through an intuitive online search.
A committee manages the selection of adult books. Another looks after children’s and teen materials. These groups are made up of professional librarians from Knox County Public Library.
When adding items to the catalog, quality is key. Books with outdated info or poor quality may not be accepted. Likewise, textbooks are not often bought unless they offer the best on a topic.
The library takes special care of rare items. Parents and guardians are responsible for what their kids read. If something is not in the catalog, patrons can ask for it through interlibrary loan.
If someone doesn’t like a library item, they can talk to the manager. This helps keep discussion open and everyone feeling welcome. The library accepts donations, but they check them with the same care as items they buy.
The McClung Historical Collection is a key part of the library. It has over 75,000 books and much more. All about the east Tennessee region, these items are available both in-person and online.
The Knoxville library catalog is a crucial tool. It helps people find what they need and supports choices in our society.
Upcoming Knoxville Library Events
The Knoxville Public Library isn’t just for books. It’s the heart of the community. It’s a place where people come together to enjoy reading and learning.
Author Talks
Head over to the Knoxville Public Library for talks from famous authors. You can chat with them and learn about their work. Check the library’s schedule for when these lively author talks are happening.
Children’s Storytime
Your little one’s imagination will soar at the library’s storytime.
For young kids, there are fun story events on different dates:
- May 29: Preschool Story Time
- June 5: Preschool Story Time
- June 12: Preschool Story Time
- June 19: Preschool Story Time
- June 26: Preschool Story Time
These story sessions are designed to make kids love books in a fun way.
Community Workshops
Don’t miss the chance to learn new things at the library workshops in Knoxville. Some of the upcoming sessions are:
- May 28: Crafting Circle
- June 18: Recurring Summer Program
- June 25: Recurring Summer Program and Crafting Circle
These workshops show how the Knoxville Public Library is at the center of the community. Everyone gets the chance to keep learning.
Historical Resources at the East Tennessee History Center
The East Tennessee History Center is a goldmine for history lovers. It’s home to the Calvin M. McClung Collection and the Knox County Archives. Inside, you’ll find an ocean of past information perfect for history buffs, genealogists, and anyone keen on history.
Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection
The Calvin M. McClung collection is a paradise for those passionate about the past. It has more than 75,000 books, 3,000 genealogies, and many old records. Thanks to the internet, you can dig through its digital archives from anywhere. This library is a must-visit for anyone wanting to learn more about local and state history.
Knox County Archives
The Knox County Archives safeguard the area’s past records. They keep manuscripts, court records, and more, giving insights into daily life across the years. These records are a direct link to the vibrant history of Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Both the McClung Collection and Knox County Archives are vital for preserving history. Thanks to them, we have deep resources for studying the past. They are key in sharing the area’s historical richness with everyone.
| Institution | Location | Key Holdings |
|---|---|---|
| Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection | East Tennessee History Center | Books, genealogies, manuscripts, censuses, digital photos |
| Knox County Archives | East Tennessee History Center | Manuscripts, court records, deed books, vital statistics |
| National Archives at Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Federal agency and court records for AL, GA, and TN |
| Tennessee State Library and Archives | Nashville, TN | Vital records, county records, maps, military records |
| Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives | Nashville, TN | Southern Baptist Convention records |
| Library of Virginia | Richmond, VA | Genealogy collection, births, deaths from mid-19th century |
How to Get to the Knoxville Public Library
It’s easy to reach the Knoxville Public Library, whether by public transport or driving. The city has several branches located all over. This makes it easy for everyone to get to the library and use its resources.
Public Transportation Options
Getting to the Lawson McGhee Library is simple with Knoxville’s public transport options. Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) runs buses and trolleys that stop near the library. This makes it convenient for people across the whole city. Thanks to the buses’ regular schedules, it’s easy to fit a visit to the library into your day.
Parking Information
If driving, you’ll find parking spaces near the library in Knoxville. There are metered spots for short-term parking. The library also has areas where you can park with validation. This takes the stress out of finding parking when visiting the library.
To help plan your visit, here’s a look at each branch’s hours:
| Library Branch | Hours Per Week | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson McGhee Library | 56 hours | Varies |
| East Tennessee History Center: Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection | 46.5 hours | Varies |
| Bearden Branch Library | 45 hours | Varies |
| Cedar Bluff Branch Library | 45 hours | Varies |
| Karns Branch Library | Varies | Open until 8:00 PM on certain days |
| Powell Branch Library | Varies | Open until 8:00 PM on certain days |
| Howard Pinkston Branch Library | 29 hours | Varies |
Support and Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are like the heart of the Knoxville Public Library. Their support is crucial. People who volunteer at the library help a lot. They must be at least 14 years old. And they should give at least 3 hours a month.
Volunteers can help in many ways, like at fun events for kids. But there are rules. They can’t do certain jobs or use special computers. Also, they must have a good Library card. This is to keep everyone safe, especially kids. People who have to do volunteer work by court order can’t help. This makes sure our volunteer team is strong.
People can also help by giving money. Even small donations, like $1, can make a difference. Bigger donations come with special benefits. This money helps the library do more for everyone. If you want to leave a big legacy, you can support UT Libraries with $25,000 or more. Contact Stacy Palado to learn more at 865-974-0055.
Your help, whether by giving time or money, is very important. It keeps the library going strong. Join our efforts. Together, we can make the Knoxville Library a place where learning and community grow.
