Germantown Library: Unique Loans And Surprising Collections

The Germantown Community Library in Tennessee has a long history of serving the local community, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s when Germantown was a small farming community. Today, the library has a monthly average circulation of 30,000 items and offers a range of resources and activities for people of all ages. But does the library loan anything unusual?

Germantown Community Library is owned and operated by the City of Germantown

The Germantown Community Library is owned and operated by the City of Germantown. The library has been serving the community for 50 years, with the aim of providing access to books and resources that educate, entertain and inspire. The library's mission is to foster a love of reading and learning for all ages, offering a range of programs and services to achieve this.

The library circulates approximately 30,000 items and serves up to 21,000 customers each month. It is open seven days a week, with varying hours depending on the day. The library also offers seating, computers, a printer and a copier for public use.

The Germantown Community Library has a rich history. In the 1930s and 1940s, Germantown was a small farming community, and its residents received library services from a bookmobile operated by the Memphis and Shelby County library board. The bookmobile discontinued visits to Germantown in 1953, which prompted the Germantown Woman's Club to lay plans for a library. The club sponsored fundraisers, and the library opened in the old St. George's Episcopal Chapel in 1954 with nearly 3,500 books.

In 1968, the first building designed specifically for library services was constructed, and the collection grew to 13,000 books. The library continued to expand over the years, and in 1997, a new 31,000 square foot public library opened at 1925 Exeter Road. The City of Germantown took full responsibility for financing and managing the library in 2004, after the Shelby County government withdrew funding for suburban library operations.

Today, the Germantown Community Library offers a range of resources and programs for its patrons, including educational presentations, book clubs, and creative activities for both children and adults. The library also has a musical instrument garden and a used bookstore operated by the Friends of the Germantown Community Library.

The library has a monthly circulation of 30,000 items and 21,000 customer visits

The Germantown Community Library in Tennessee has a monthly circulation of 30,000 items and 21,000 customer visits. The library has been serving the people of Germantown for fifty years, providing access to books and resources that educate, entertain and inspire. The library's mission is to foster a love of reading and learning for all age groups, from infants to seniors, through its diverse programs and services.

The library's history dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when Germantown residents relied on a bookmobile operated by the Memphis and Shelby County library board. In 1954, the Germantown Woman's Club laid plans for a permanent library, and the library opened that summer in the old St. George's Episcopal Chapel. The collection started with nearly 3,500 books, and the chapel was later moved to the St. George's Episcopal Church campus on Poplar Avenue.

As Germantown's population grew, so did the demand for a larger library. In 1968, the first building specifically designed for library services was constructed, housing 13,000 books. The current library, located at 1925 Exeter Road, opened in 1997 with 31,000 square feet of space. The City of Germantown owns and operates the library, subcontracting day-to-day management to Avenu Insights & Analytics.

The library offers a range of services and resources, including a used bookstore, early literacy play items, musical instruments, computers, and a printer and copier for public use. They also host various events and activities, such as educational presentations, book clubs, ecosystem creation, and craft sessions. The library has a borrowing agreement with the Collierville Burch Library, allowing patrons to request titles not owned by the Collierville library.

The library has a borrowing agreement with the Collierville Burch Library

The Germantown Community Library in Tennessee has a rich history of serving the people of Germantown for over 50 years. What started as a bookmobile service in the 1930s and 1940s has evolved into a thriving library with a monthly average circulation of approximately 30,000 items and up to 21,000 customer visits. The library is committed to providing access to a wide range of resources, including books, materials, and digital services, with the goal of promoting knowledge, enrichment, and enjoyment for all ages.

In addition to its extensive collection, the Germantown Community Library also has a borrowing agreement with the Collierville Burch Library. This agreement allows patrons of the Germantown Library to request items that are not owned by the Collierville Library. To submit a loan request, individuals must complete a form, agreeing to specific terms and conditions. These include the understanding that only items not available at the Collierville Library can be requested, and that popular items, DVDs, audiobooks, and periodicals are not eligible for loan. It is important to note that items borrowed through this agreement must be picked up and returned to the Collierville Burch Library, and late fees will apply for items not returned on time.

The borrowing agreement between the two libraries enhances the resources available to patrons of the Germantown Community Library. By collaborating with the Collierville Burch Library, the Germantown Library can offer its patrons access to a wider range of titles and resources. This partnership is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking titles that may be less common or more specialised.

To initiate the borrowing process, patrons of the Germantown Community Library can visit the library's website or contact the Information Desk to access the necessary forms. The library also offers a convenient mobile app for iOS and Android devices, making it even easier for patrons to submit loan requests and access other library services from the comfort of their homes.

Through its borrowing agreement with the Collierville Burch Library and its commitment to providing access to a diverse range of resources, the Germantown Community Library continues to play a vital role in educating, entertaining, and inspiring the people of Germantown.

The library offers a range of educational and creative activities

The Germantown Community Library in Tennessee offers a wide range of educational and creative activities for people of all ages. The library's mission is to provide access to knowledge, enrichment, and enjoyment through books, materials, and resources. With a monthly average circulation of approximately 30,000 items and up to 21,000 customer visits, the library is a bustling hub of activity and a vital part of the community.

The library's offerings include educational presentations, such as tutorials on converting analog audio to digital storage and sessions on navigating the library's website and catalog. Creative workshops are also available, including unique activities like decorating an underwater lair for a marimo moss ball, a pet that requires zero effort, and making flower gardens in teapots. The library also hosts monthly reading and activity sessions for children, such as the Magic Tree House, where they dive into books like "Dolphins at Daybreak" without prior reading necessary.

For those interested in music and the arts, the library has a musical instrument garden, and early literacy play items are available during regular library hours in the warmer months. The library also has a patio space that is open to the public. Additionally, the library showcases the Germantown Community Theatre, providing a space for staging and seating within the library.

The history of the Germantown Community Library is deeply rooted in the community. What started as a bookmobile serving the rural community in the 1930s and 1940s evolved into a dedicated library space in the old St. George's Episcopal Chapel in 1954, thanks to the efforts of the Germantown Woman's Club. The collection began with nearly 3,500 books, and the library has since expanded to a 31,000-square-foot space with a vast array of offerings.

The library's history dates back 50 years, with the current building constructed in 1968

The Germantown Community Library in Tennessee has a rich history that dates back 50 years. The current building, constructed in 1968, was the first designed expressly for library services and opened with 13,000 books. However, the library's history goes back further, with its roots in the 1930s and 1940s when Germantown residents received library services from a bookmobile operated by the Memphis and Shelby County library board.

In the summer of 1953, the bookmobile visits to outlying communities were discontinued. The following year, in January 1954, the Germantown Woman's Club laid plans for a library to serve the town's 600 citizens. The club sponsored fundraisers, including a book review and tea at the town hall, to support the establishment of the library. The library opened that summer in the old St. George's Episcopal Chapel, with a collection of nearly 3,500 books. Mrs. Pickering and Mrs. McGehee were employed as librarian and librarian assistant, respectively.

In 1955, the Germantown Library Association, Inc. was established and purchased the chapel for $8,000, with the Woman's Club taking responsibility for the payments. In the early 1960s, as Germantown experienced suburban growth, county officials advised that they were prepared to spend $125,000 to construct a library if the city provided the site. In 1966, the city leaders acquired a site on Old Poplar Pike for both a library and a community center for $9,000. This led to the construction of the current library building in 1968.

Over the years, the library has continued to expand and improve its services. In the 1970s, Germantown's population grew rapidly, leading to a demand for more municipal services, including a bigger and better library. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen committed to the inclusion of a 1.25-acre site in the new Municipal Center Park for the library. Today, the library has a monthly average circulation of approximately 30,000 items and up to 21,000 customer visits each month. The library is committed to providing access to books and resources that contribute to individual knowledge, enrichment, and enjoyment, as well as encouraging a love of reading and learning for all ages.

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