Unless you’re a student or have school-aged children, chances are you’ve not seen the inside library in quite some time. Given our online shopping options, big box bookstores and nearly limitless digital offerings, it’s no wonder you’ve not visited your local library lately.

But you can change that habit today. You can make the short drive to your closest library and see what they have to offer. You might be surprised by what you find. In today’s world, libraries are more than just book depositories.

Libraries are community centers, gathering places and voting sites. Visitors walk through the doors every day to access the internet, do genealogy research, watch a movie, listen to a lecture, participate in an art class or just hang out with friends and family.

At the Kingsport Public Library, folks can check out more than just books. For example, did you know the library has a healthy selection of video games for the XBOX One, Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch?

All of the video games can be found in the main floor lobby just near the circulation desk. Dozens of video games - both mainstream titles and lesser-known gems – are available to check out. Games such as The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, Elden Ring, Resident Evil, Madden, LEGO Star Wars, the Outer Worlds and Assassin’s Creed.

The games can be checked out for seven days and there’s a $1 a day late fee applied in case you keep over to beat that final stage.

If video games are not your forte, the Kingsport Public Library does have a small collection of unconventional items to check out. “Things” like garden tools, a pressure washer, board games and sporting equipment.

Our “Library of Things” debuted about two years ago offering a variety of items members might need to use infrequently or want to try before purchasing. These items are available to adults with a Kingsport Public Library card, and you can check them out for 7 days with a one-time renewal if there are no holds on the item.

Other items available in the Library of Things include – a bean bag toss set, cultivator, electric air pump, embroidery hoops, horseshoes, leaf blower, pickleball set, posthole digger, soccer ball and goal, stud finder, volleyball set and wrenches.

And new things are added from time to time, so be sure to check it out periodically.

Finally, an offering the Kingsport Public Library is in no short supply of is programs. Whether it be an arts & crafts class, story time session, teen gaming tournament, puzzle competition or genealogy club, the library has something for all ages groups – from toddlers to seniors and everyone in between.

Simply go to www.kingsportlibrary.org and click on the “Events” tab at the top of the page. From there, you’ll be taken to a calendar that lists all of the programs, activities
and classes coming up. Occasionally there’s a charge, but most likely the programs are free.

During any given week, there’s something happening every single day at the library. Often times, there’s two or three programs taking place daily.

The Kingsport Public Library is located at 400 Broad Street and can be reached at 423-229-9489.