Book and bake sale at Tippitt Library

Correction:  The PreSchool Program at the Mary E. Tippitt Memorial Library in Townsend was mistakenly listed as being for grades 3-5.  The program is for ages 3-5.  We apologize for the error.

The Mary E. Tippitt Memorial Library in Townsend will be holding a Used Book and Bake Sale on Friday, August 14th from 9 to 5 p.m. at the library.  All proceeds will benefit the library.  Anyone who would like to bake something for the sale should contact the library at 448-1441.   Baked goods can be dropped off at the library on Thursday, August 13th from 9 to 5 p.m.

The schedule for the library’s next children’s program is: Tuesday, August 18th – PreSchool Program for ages 3-5 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; AfterSchool Program for grades K-5 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.  Please call the library at 448-1441 to register your child.   PreSchool children must be accompanied by an adult who can be with them for the entire program.

The 2009 Summer Reading Program “Be Creative @ Your Library” was held in July.  Programs included special guests “Mr. David” the Bug Man and “Ronald McDonald,” and a talent show put on by the children.  33 children received reading certificates.   Special awards were given to the top two children in each age group who read the most minutes. Winners were: Ages 3-5 Julia King and Willow Rutter; ages 6-8 Bryson Myers and Sarah Tozzi and Kenzie Lane (tie); ages 9-11 Austin Light and Abbey Tozzi.  A special prize was awarded to Daniel Davis for the most minutes read with perfect attendance at all four programs.

The library thanks the following local businesses and patrons for their donations to the Summer Reading Program: Mountain Rose Bakery; Townsend/Great Smokies KOA; Deadbeat Pete’s Restaurant; Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop; Richy Kreme Donuts, Maryville; Parkway Grocery, Steve Headrick; Village Market/IGA, Darrell Welch manager; Townsend Shopping Center, Jerry Sullivan; Chilhowee Area Ministries, Joe and Linda Ledford; Nancy Hansard; Gary and Merri Holt; Denese Davis; Jennifer Hensley; Robin and David Kinser; and Wanda Wikle.   Thanks also go out to our teen volunteers: Megan Humphrey, Abigail Davis, Samuel Baugh, Aresha Robinson and Jake Emert; and to our adult volunteers: Jan Massey, David Wietlisbach, Russell Turner, Cindy Humphrey, Meloney Walker, and “Ronald McDonald.”

At the end of each Summer Reading Program the library puts a book into the collection in honor of each child, volunteer, donor, and staff member who participated in the program.   This year’s books were purchased with a grant from The Libri Foundation of Eugene, Ore.   The grant offered a two-for-one match, with the library raising $350 and the Foundation granting $700.   The grant also supplied an additional $350 worth of math and science books, bringing the grand total to $1400 worth of books for children.   The math/science part of the grant was from a donation to the Foundation from Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman.  The library was able to raise its $350 due to the support of the Laurel Valley community members and other local patrons.   Since the library is a non-profit organization, we depend on grants and donations for the majority of our materials budget.  Without the help of this grant and our generous donors, we would not have been able to purchase these books.

Several new books have been added to the library’s collection.   They include: Black Hills by Nora Roberts; Medusa by Clive Cussler; Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber; Happiness Key by Emilie Richards; Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout; Lottery by Patricia Wood; Sooner or Later by Debbie Macomber; and The Law of Love by Nora Roberts.

The Townsend Book Club meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. in the library.   The books for the next several months are: August 27th – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer; September 24th – Moloka’i by Alan Brennert; October 22nd – The Foster Girls by Lin Stepp; November 19th – Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCullough; December 17th – Levi’s Will by W. Dale Cramer; and January 28th – Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang.  On October 22nd the Book Club will welcome the author of The Foster Girls, Dr. Lin Stepp of Knoxville, who will talk to the group about her book and take part in the discussion.   She will also do a book signing in the library in the afternoon.  Please call the library at 448-1441 for more information.

The Mary Tippitt Library is located at 120 Tiger Drive in Townsend.   Hours are Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from Noon to 6 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  There is a drop box by the front door for after-hours returns.

Computer access is available to residents and visitors at no charge.   Faxing, printing, and copying services are available for a small fee.   Visitors are welcome to check out books and/or videos with a temporary patron number and a refundable $20 deposit.

For more information, telephone 865-448-1441; fax 865-448-1875; website: www.discoveret.org/metmlib; email: metmlib@yahoo.com.

Related story: Ronald McDonald stresses reading at the library