TELLICO VILLAGE, Tenn. — The Public Library at Tellico Village has discussed a new feature with The Connection.

The Library of Things, a recent addition amongst libraries nationwide, is now a part of Tellico Village’s local literary spot.

Located right at the front of the Public Library at Tellico Village, it contains a couple of shelves stocked full of games for children and even adults. There is also educational equipment available such as microscopes and telescopes, as well as karaoke machines and strobe lights.


The Tellico Village Public Library’s director, Gina Mucci Geremia, is thrilled with the library’s most recent expansion and talked about everything that the Library of Things entails.

“It is simply a form of alternative lending,” Geremia said. “The idea is to expand it based on what this community likes.

“I’m excited that it’s done,” she said. “The majority of the work for it is complete.”

Geremia also talked about how the Library of Things can benefit the Loudon County community as a whole.

“It is a sense of community and the recycle or reuse mentality,” Geremia explained. “It has become popular in rural areas where the library can provide kids with educational things.”

She added: “A lot of people are reading online e-books and audiobooks now and do not come in. The more people can come in, the more we can launch things like the Library of Things.”

CHERI TOMPKINS GIVES HER THOUGHTS ON THE LIBRARY OF THINGS

A big part of the Library of Things getting started at the Public Library at Tellico Village was library assistant Cheri Tompkins.

Geremia credited her with all of the little details, such as logos and graphics.

“It turned out to be a lot of work because of things like the color of the logo and lending agreements,” Geremia told The Connection.

“Cheri [Tompkins] is my graphic goddess. She worked hard on all of the logos and to make everything interesting and jump off the page.”

Tompkins has been a fan of the process in putting the Library of Things together for Tellico Village.

“It’s been a lot of fun to brainstorm everything,” Tompkins said. “I wanted the logo to be simple and fun as well.”

OPEN HOUSE EVENT, WHERE TO DONATE AND MORE

The Library of Things at Tellico Village has already undergone a soft opening. However, a big open house event will be Tuesday, March 31, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

There will be wine, beer and snacks available as everyone in the community can get a look at what the Library of Things is all about.

The event also celebrates a presentation of a national grant the Public Library at Tellico Village is receiving.

For more information about the Public Library at Tellico Village or to donate, you can visit www.tvlibrary.org.