Tazewell County Public Library

Library Updates

2023 Millions of Minutes: Summer Reading

Posted by jwilkes on

Tazewell County Public Library is excited to announce 2023 Summer Reading: Millions of Minutes. We are encouraging the Tazewell County community to again read over a million minutes this summer. Last summer, we successfully reached that 1 million mark.

Please enter the number of minutes you read into the Google form below. Remember, audiobooks count too! Enter minutes as often as you want.

We will report the running total on our website and Facebook.

No comments

Books, Bees, and Bargains Event

Posted by jwilkes on

Cohosted by Winter Honey and The Richlands Library Restoration Project

Date: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: RICHLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT COMPLEX- RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA

Spaces are available for a $30 donation- it is best to reserve your space early! Specialty products or yard sale items are encouraged at this event.

On the day of the event, setup will begin at 9:00am. Doors will open to the public at 10:00am and the event will last until 4:00pm (please try to stay the entire day). The size of spaces will be 6 feet in length and tables will be provided and setup if requested.

Please print out and fill out this PDF to secure a table and return the form with your check or money order (NO CASH PLEASE) by February 17th made out to: Richlands Winter Honey Organization- P.O. Box 14, Richlands, VA 24641.

No comments

Job Opportunities

Posted by jwilkes on

TITLE: Circulation Specialist-Part-Time (Bluefield Library)

FLSA: Non-exempt

Location: Bluefield Library in Bluefield, VA

Job Summary
Under general supervision of the Bluefield Branch Manager, performs a wide range of nonprofessional library work revolving around circulation of library materials, reader assistance, reference assistance, and maintenance of the collection.

Examples of Work (illustrative only)

  • Charges and discharges library materials according to established policies and procedures.
  • Registers patrons for library cards.
  • Advises library patrons about the library, its services and resources.
  • Instructs patrons in the use of the catalog and assists in locating materials.
  • Refers requests for material not in the collection to the proper source.
  • Collects and accounts for fines, photocopy fees, and other charges.
  • Answers reference questions and provides readers’ advisory services within the limits of available resources; refers other queries to the proper source.
  • Shelves materials and assists in shelf reading.
  • Assists patrons with library equipment available for public use.
  • Assists with designing, preparing, and installing displays.
  • Performs related work as required.

Physical Requirements
Requires sitting, standing, walking, climbing, stooping, bending/twisting, and reaching; talking and hearing clearly, including use of the telephone; lifting and carrying 50 pounds or less; pushing and pulling objects weighing 50 to 60 pounds on wheels; fingering for typing, writing, filing and shelving; vision to see all levels of shelving and to see while typing or using computer; mobility to travel to meetings outside the library.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Good knowledge of general clerical methods and procedures.
  • Ability to instruct others in the use of library facilities and services.
  • Ability to become familiar with titles, content, classification system, and arrangement of materials.
  • Working skill with computers, copiers, fax machines, and various other items of office and library equipment
  • Knowledge of and interest in books and literature.
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
  • Good knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and arithmetic.
  • Ability to work effectively with the public; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the supervisor and other employees.

Additional Requirements

  • Requires working some evenings and weekends.
  • Requires some travel to branch libraries.

Minimum Education and Experience
Two years of college and library experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applications accepted until position filled.
TO APPLY: Send completed TCPL Employment Application form to Erica Hall, Director. Email: ehall@tcplweb.org or Mail: Tazewell County Public Library, P. O. Box 929, Tazewell, VA 24651. Or, turn in an application at the Bluefield Library.

Posted 09/26/2023

No comments

Comic Con Information

Posted by jwilkes on

Comic Con Contest Rules

The 2022 Costume Contest will take place at 1:30pm at Nuckolls Hall. There will be a 5 categories:

  • Kids (0-5 years old)
  • Kids (6-12 years old)
  • Teen (13-17 years old)
  • Adult (18+)
  • Group

Individuals can participate in their age category as well as the group category. Groups can have a max of 5 people.

At the event, you will need to register yourself or your child, while signing a photo release to be used by Tazewell County Public Library in the future.

 
Comic Con Code of Conduct

Safety is our number one concern. Attendees are expected to adhere to TCPL’s Conduct Policy.

Remember this is an all ages event so please wear appropriate costume attire. All costumes should have a PG rating.

Any sexual or verbal harassment will not be tolerated.

Real weapons are not permitted

  • Toy or prop guns must have a bright orange, obvious tip  to show they are non-working guns.
  • Fake swords must not be sharp. Attendees cannot wave or wield fake swords at the Comic Con. In other words, swords must stay in a sheath.
  • Do not bring professional or compound bows. Any costume weapons may be disallowed at the discretion of Comic Con staff.
No comments

Mobile Hotspots

Posted by jwilkes on

Mobile hotspots provide free, unlimited high-speed internet access from almost anywhere when using a WiFi-enabled devices, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop. Check Availability

Checkout Period: 7 Days
Renewable: No
Late Fee: $1 per day
Lending Agreement: Before checking out a hotspot, patrons must read and sign our lending agreement: PDF
Replacement Fee: $185 plus additional processing and late fees
Return: Must be returned to the library circulation desk during open hours. Do not return hotspots in the book drop.

No comments

TCPL Community Journal Project

Posted by jwilkes on

What is the TCPL Community Journal Project?

The Tazewell County Public Library Community Journal Project is a creative outlet for you to share stories, drawings, recipes, and more with the Tazewell County community. This is for all-ages. These journals will be kept as a record for future generations in Tazewell County.

Can I check out these community journals?

Yes, you can check them out up to 2 weeks and renew them up to 3 times.

Are there any rules?

All journals are kid-friendly, G-rated. Do not write or deface the pages that comes before yours. You may sign your name or remain anonymous. We ask you to respect the privacy of others and do not share identifying information unless it is your own to share.

What community journals are available?

No comments

Fine Free Cards for Kids!

Posted by jwilkes on

On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed two motions concerning juvenile and young adult library cards:

Motion 1: Change the policy to where the age limit would be 0 – 17 years old.

Motion 2: Eliminate fines for card holders up to 17 years for a trial period for 1 year while we do internal research.

What does this mean?

1. Previously, juvenile cards were limited to ages 5 – 17 years old. With motion 1, parents will now be able to get library cards for children from birth to 4 years old.

2. Card holders from 0 – 17 years old will no longer accrue fines on their cards. We are waiving all fines on current juvenile cards. Damaged or unreturned items (checked out for over 8 weeks) will still be billed to a card.

Why are we doing this?

The library should be the one cradle to grave institutions that a person never grows out of.  One outgrows public school, but never outgrow access to a public library. Tazewell County Public Library is uniquely poised in our community to effect positive change by eliminating fines for late children’s books. The library has a responsibility to increase equitable access and remove obstacles to the collection.

A child who is told, “No, we can’t check out any books, we have fines,” that memory sticks and could impact that child’s future.  Tazewell County Public Library wants to extend a beckoning hand to every baby, toddler, child and teen of this community to welcome them back to their library. We want to encourage lifelong readers and access to books.

What’s Next?

Currently, the Board of Trustees has approved a one year trial period for eliminating fines. We will collect internal data to justify extending beyond the trial period, but we also need to hear how this change positively effects you. Please fill out the Google Form below to tell us your story.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Library Director Erica Hall or Children’s Librarian Lisa Tyson. If you would like to talk to the Board of Trustees about this change,  learn how you can can participate in a Board of Trustees meeting here.

No comments

Free At-Home COVID Test at TCPL

Posted by jwilkes on

Tazewell County Public Library is partnering with the Virginia Department of Health to distribute free rapid COVID-19 antigen at-home test kits.  No library card required. Tests are for personal, individual use. If you are experiencing symptoms, please ask someone else to pick up your test kit for you.

Current Availability

Bluefield: In-Stock
Richlands: In-Stock
Pocahontas: Currently Closed
Tazewell: In-Stock

How do I get a test kit?

  • Call your local library branch to check availability before visiting.
  • Due to high demand, the COVID-19 test kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the library.
  • We are not able to hold kits at this time
  • Kits are limited to two per person

How do I use the test kits

  • Librarians cannot assist you using the test kit
  • Directions and an FAQ will be provided to you.

What do my test results mean?

Library employees cannot assist you in reading or understanding the test results. Please contact the Virginia Department of Health of Cumberland Plateau Health District.

COVID Information Links

Image of Virginia Department of Health logo for the STACC program Virginia Department of Health logo

No comments

Virginia Legal Forms

Posted by jwilkes on

Legal Forms

Get access to Virginia Legal Forms, including forms for wills, divorces, power of attorney, and more. These forms are available in Microsoft Word and Rich Text Format.

No comments

Brainfuse HelpNow

Posted by jwilkes on

Brainfuse online tutoring assistance

Brainfuse HelpNow

Get free online tutoring with your library card from the hours of 2pm – 11pm for K – 12th grade in a variety of subject areas. A kindergartener can get reading and writing help. Where as, a senior in high school can get assistance in algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry, statistics, and many other subjects.

Students can even get assistance filling out FAFSA applications.

For adults, get assistance in GED preparation, career assistance, and the U.S. Citizenship Test.

Library card number required for accessing online tutoring. Other features may require the creation of an account.

No comments

This site is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is managed by the The Library of Virginia Library Development and Networking Division.