Five surprising things at the Chattanooga Public Library

May 6

Want to grow new plants this season? Need a drill to hang shelves? The Downtown Library can help!

By David Pace, Contributor

In addition to traditional library resources like books and computer workstations, the Chattanooga Public Library has a surprising selection of unique items to take home or use on site. Here are five resources you should know about:

1. Tools for your home or yard project

Tools can be expensive, especially if there’s one you need for a one-time project. Luckily, the library has a large selection of home and garden tools available for check out, including:

Socket wrench sets
Cordless drills
Power sanders
Hedge trimmers
Shovels and other garden equipment
Circular saw

2. Instruments from the Noise Closet

The Downtown Library offers a collection of rock instruments available for checkout through the Noise Closet.

Library cardholders ages 10-17, or enrolled in high school, can check out one instrument at a time for a two-week period.
There are electric guitars, bass guitars, drum kits, and keyboards. You can even check out an amp to accompany a guitar or bass.

3. Seeds for your garden

Library cardholders can get packets of vegetable, fruit and flower seeds for free.
Seed Exchange: You can also donate seeds harvested from your personal garden.

4. Make crafts and digital creations in the makerspace

In the 4th Floor makerspace you can work on a variety of design, print and digital projects. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves and get messy, or keep your inventions to the digital realm, the 4th Floor has all the equipment you need.

Equipment on the 4th floor includes:

Laser cutter and vinyl plotter
Large format printer and 3D printer
Virtual reality system and Adobe Creative Cloud
Arts studio with sewing machines, serger, embroidery machine

These tools are available to anyone with a library card but must be used within the 4th floor space and cannot be taken home.

5. Record your music or podcasts using the studio

The library is home to a state-of-the-art recording studio. Anyone with a library card can reserve a 3-hour session to record live music or a podcast.

The studio consists of three rooms:

Vocal booth
Drum room
Main control room

The studio has the latest software and equipment and is Pro Tools enabled. You can get more information about The Studio by calling 643-7720 or emailing studio@lib.chattanooga.gov.

Getting a Library Card

In order to take advantage of all the library has to offer you will first need to get a library card or renew an expired library card (they last for one year).

A library card is free for any resident or employee of the City of Chattanooga as well as all Hamilton County public school students and college students who live on campus within the City of Chattanooga. If you are not a resident or cannot meet these qualifications you can still obtain a library card at the cost of $50 per year.

To obtain a library card you will need to show one of the following:

Driver’s License or learner’s permit
Tennessee Department of Public Safety ID
Passport
Military, school, or employee ID
International Driver’s Permit

You can register for a card online at https://chattlibrary.org/new-card/ or in-person at any branch location.

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