Tazewell County Public Libraries will reopen our buildings to the public *by appointment only* on Monday, June 1. We will have limited services and hours during this time in order to responsibly help slow any spread of COVID-19 throughout our community.
To make an appointment, you can call the location you wish to use. Appointments will be offered in hour blocks of time between the hours of 10AM and 4PM. Services offered by appointment will be:
Check out and/or returns of materials
Computer use, limited to 15-minute increments. (Job seekers and/or those applying for benefits may let us know and that time will be extended.)
One-on-one computer assistance
One-on-one job seeker assistance
Business services: printing, faxing, etc.
Our staff has been diligently working during the library closure to enhance our online and curbside services. Those will continue for the foreseeable future. Additionally, we have modified our buildings to protect the staff and the public. You may notice some of the following changes when you visit us:
Some furniture removed
Remaining furniture spread further apart
Sneeze guards installed at circulation desks
All toys and manipulatives removed from children’s areas
6 ft floor markers at circulation desks
Returned materials sanitized and quarantined for 72 hours
All staff wearing masks
We strongly encourage all members of the public to wear masks when entering our buildings. This is for the protection of our staff and other vulnerable members of the public. We also have hand sanitizing stations available throughout the buildings, and encourage frequent hand washing and social distancing.
We appreciate your patience as we navigate these new challenges.
All TCPL locations will be closed to the public until further notice due to COVID-19. This was a very difficult decision to make, but the health and safety of our community, our patrons, and our staff is our priority.
The American Library Association released a statement today urging libraries to close, so we feel this is the right decision however upsetting it may be.
Please do not worry about returning what you have checked out right now, as due dates are automatically being extended. Late fines will not be accruing during this time.
In the meantime, we will still be offering limited services! These include:
Tazewell County Public Library is proud to announce the Week of Stories from Thursday, April 25, 2019 to Friday, May 3rd at the Tazewell Main Library. Our four scheduled programs include a Poetry Reading (Open Mic), a Local Author Event, a Memoir Writing Workshop, and a Storytelling Program for Adults.
April is National Poetry Month so join us on Thursday, April 25 at 7pm for an Open Mic Poetry Reading. Read a poem (yours or your favorite), sing a song, or tell a story. You do not need to read anything to join us for the night.
Join us on Saturday, April 27 from 9am – 1pm for a Local Author Event at the Tazewell Library. Meet and purchase books from local Southwest Virginian and Southern West Virginian authors at this event. We will have a total of eleven authors attending the event: Robert Merritt, Tom Fugate, Cyrus Alderwood, Kari Kilgore, Maddie White, Werner Lind, Jason A. Adams, Kirk Abner, J.S. Crews, Mary Alice Barksdale, and Donna Fogelsong.
On Tuesday, April 30 at 6pm, Instructor of English at Bluefield College, Crystal Kieloch, will lead a Memoir Writing Workshop. We each have personal stories with universal meanings – learn how to start, and how to develop what you want to say even if you don’t know what it is yet. In this workshop, participants will receive the tools to help develop their own personal stories. Learn story structure, and writing techniques that will move you toward a solid memoir. No previous writing experience required.
Join us at the Tazewell Library on Friday, May 3 at 1pm for a storytelling event for adults. Storytellers Rema Keen and Deb Linkous will perform engaging stories that will make you smile, laugh, and think. Rema Keen has performed in a number of regional and national theaters including The Barter Theatre in historic Abingdon, Virginia. Deb Linkous has told her stories at Crab Orchard Museum and many local libraries.
For additional details about scheduled programs, check out our website at tcplweb.org or call (276) 988-2541. The address of the Tazewell Main Library is 129 Main Street, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Rising 6th – 8th graders will have a blast at our 2019 STEM Camp, held from June 17-21 at our Tazewell Main Library from 9am – 12pm every day. Kids will have the opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through a myriad of hands-on activities.
Activities will include:
– Chemistry: Thermodynamic Slime
– Engineering: Filling Materials
– Astronomy: StarLab Planetarium
– Math: Treasure Hunt
– Engineering: Make a Roller Coaster
– Chemistry: Elephant’s Toothpaste
– Math: Tower of Hanoi
– Technology: Binary Code Bracelets
– Biology: Live Bees Exhibit
– Engineering: Build a Tower
– Technology: Drone Demo
All of STEM Camp spots are currently FULL, but if you would like to be added to the WAITING LIST, please follow this link: Get added to the waiting list here!
**This camp is made possible by donations made in memory of Jerry McPherson.**
TCPL is excited to partner with Girls Who Code, a national non-profit working to close the gender gap in technology. Girls Who Code Clubs are FREE programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade girls to join the sisterhood of supportive peers and role models, and use computer science to change the world.
3rd-5th Grades
In our brand new elementary school program, girls will learn basic computer science concepts in a fun and creative way. Guided by our New York Times Bestseller, Learn to Code and Change the World, Clubs spend time reading, discussing their ideas, working on activities and challenging each other to be brave.
6th-12th Grades
Our middle and high school Clubs encourage girls to impact their community in a positive way through code. Girls are able to engage in fun and simple online coding tutorials, build community through interactive activities, and learn about inspiring role models. The girls then work in teams to build a culminating Girls Who Code Project, where they use coding skills to solve a real world problem they care about.
Don’t forget to turn in your 2018 Reading Challenge by Tuesday, January 8, 2019! Remember, the challenge does not have to be complete for you to bring it back!
For the Adult Challenge:
Patrons who read 6 to 15 books will be entered into a 3rd place prize drawing.
Patrons who read 16 to 30 books will be entered into a 2nd place prize drawing.
Patrons who read 31 to 52 books will be entered into a 1st place prize drawing.
For the Tween/Teen Challenge:
Patrons who read 5 to 10 books will be entered into a 3rd place prize drawing.
Patrons who read 11 to 20 books will be entered into a 2nd place prize drawing.
Patrons who read 21 to 32 books will be entered into a 1st place prize drawing.
For Kids & Tweens (12 & Under)
Patrons who read 3-6 books and be entered for a 3rd prize drawing
Patrons who read 7-10 books and be entered for a 2nd prize drawing
Patrons who read 11-13 books and be entered for a 1st prize drawing
The Tazewell County Public Library has recently added a new, wonderful resource: Universal Class. With over 500 continuing education courses in a variety of fields, this free resource is the perfect resource for home school students, parents, job seekers, or anyone just looking to acquire a new skill or hobby.
Available 24 hours a day, you will be able to learn in multiple ways at your own pace. When completing courses, you will receive continuing education courses (CEUs) by finishing exams and assignments. CEUs are globally recognized. If you would simply like to take a class without assignments, you can video audit a class.
How to Sign Up
Enter your email, create a username and a password.
The Course Catalog
With over 500 courses in Universal Class, there are classes for everyone.
Learn a new hobby
Cake Decorating, Bread Baking, Genealogy, Face Painting & More
Learn Job Skills
Marketing, Accounting, Interview Skills & More
Learn Computer Skills
Learn HTML, Introduction to SQL, Windows 10 & More
For Students & Parents
ABCs of Algebra, American Revolutionary War, and Essay Writing.
How to Register for a Class
Once you choose a class that interests you. There will be a course description, including the number of lessons, the number of exams and assignments, and how many CEUs a particular class is worth. If you decide this class is right for you, simply select “+Join this Class.”
Now, decide if you want to take the class in Video Only Mode or Normal Mode. If you only take a class in Video Only Mode, you will not receive any CEUs. If you take a class in Normal Mode, you must complete assignments and lessons in order to receive any CEUs.
Still have questions about Universal Class? Call the Tazewell Library at (276) 988-2541 and ask for Adult Services Librarian, Chris Wilkes.
