Celebrate Spring with the Library and a few special guests this month, including Dollywood’s Imagination Playhouse, chef Lil Oso and Outdoor Chattanooga. All events are free to attend, and materials are provided.
For inquiries or requests, contact Christina Sacco, Library Public Relations coordinator at 423-643-7711 or cpsacco@chattanooga.gov.
Chatt & Chow Chef Spotlight: Lil Oso
Tuesday, March 3 @ Downtown // 2-3 p.m.
Chatt & Chow is back with a Chef Spotlight this month: Chattanooga’s own Lil Oso! At this special event, Chef Chris Greer will teach attendees to make cavatelli pasta from scratch and an accompanying tomato-basil sauce.
Lil Oso is a restaurant that serves up unique food and beverages in a relaxing atmosphere.
They have been building their brand here in Chattanooga for 2 years from sidewalks to test kitchens, cooking for anyone and everyone. They are a rowdy group filled with heart and passion, excited to change up the food scene here in Chattanooga with their brick and mortar location opening on E. Main Street this Spring.
This event is open to adults, and due to limited space, registration is required. To reserve your spot, visit chattlibrary.org/event/chatt-chow-chef-spotlight/.
Imagination Playhouse Presents Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
March 3-5 @ All Branches
Join us for the theatrical adaptation of the beloved book Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.
This delightful story about self-acceptance and overcoming obstacles will be brought to life by Dollywood’s Imagination Playhouse. This is an event that you don’t want to miss, and we've got multiple times and locations to make it convenient for you!
March 3: Eastgate Branch, 10:30-11 a.m.
March 3: Northgate Branch, 2:30-3 p.m.
March 4: Downtown Branch, 10:30-11 a.m.
March 5: South Chattanooga Branch, 10:30-11 a.m.
March 5: Avondale Branch, 3:30-4 p.m.
This event is open to families, and no registration is required.
Wow Wednesday: Mosaic Stepping Stones
Wednesday, March 4 @ Eastgate // 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Fun & fantastic are just two words to describe Wow Wednesdays at the Eastgate Branch. This March, get ready to plant your Spring garden and beautify your yard with a homemade mosaic stepping stone.
Children ages 5 and up are invited to join us the first Wednesday of each month. All materials provided, and no registration needed.
Learning Your Musical Instrument
Fridays @ Downtown // 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Introducing a new program for March and April, Learning Your Musical Instrument! Become a self-taught musician during this workshop every Friday on the 4th Floor.
Bring a song you want to learn on the guitar or the piano. Having your own instrument is recommended, but it is not required. We’ll have limited instruments available.
This program is open to adults 18 and up, and no registration is required.
Sew What & Sew What Kids
Various Dates & Times @ Downtown & Eastgate
Join us on the 4th Floor of our Downtown Branch every Tuesday for fun sewing workshops! Can’t make it during the week? We also have a Sew What event the 1st Saturday of every month and Sew What Kids at our Eastgate Branch the 3rd Thursday of the month.
March 7: It’s March Macramé Madness! We’re celebrating the art of macramé for this month’s Sew What Saturday. Come learn basic macramé knots, then choose from a variety of projects to make for your home, including a wall hanging, planter and jewelry.
Tuesdays in March: During our weekly Sew What this month, we’re learning everything you need to set your table in style. Join us to make your own napkins, placemats, table runners, coasters and silverware travel rolls, and impress your dinner guests all year long!
March 26: Little ones who want to join in shouldn’t miss out on Sew What Kids at our Eastgate Branch. This month, we’ll be making adorable fox or bear bags that are perfect for a springtime adventure!
All ages are welcome, but those under 10 need an adult with them. Materials are provided, and no registration is required.
We Count: A Census Celebration for Kids
Saturday, March 7 @ Northgate // 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Fact: Children are historically undercounted during censuses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s why we’re getting kids involved with a fun-filled event to celebrate the 2020 Census!
Children ages 5 - 11 are invited to come make a life-sized drawing of themselves, win prizes during a Data Collecting Scavenger Hunt, play games and craft with us.
The Chattanooga Public Library is committed to ensuring everyone counts, and we’re also hosting events later in the month to get adults involved as well.
Art Therapy for Adults
Fridays @ Downtown // 1-2:30 p.m.
EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH! Join us for the therapeutic benefits of art-making, facilitated by master’s level art therapist Hannah Ligon. Reduce stress and anxiety, express yourself, learn new skills and meet new people.
Adults 18 and up will meet in the 1st Floor Auditorium. Due to the high demand for these sessions, we ask that you reserve your spot via Eventbrite.
While this will be a free expression group activity, it is still a therapeutic one. Therefore, we ask that participants respect each other’s privacy.
Teen & Tween Weekly Series
Monday - Thursday @ Downtown // 5-6 p.m.
Teens and tweens are invited to join us after school for a variety of exciting activities. Each week, we pick a theme to explore through music, art, food, craft, games and more. Check out the schedule below, and don’t miss out!
March 3-5: Wired Week! We’ll be experimenting with all things electric, from DIY batteries to robotics.
March 9-12: Micro Week! Join us this week for all things teeny tiny. We’ll be exploring tiny foods, art and science.
March 16-23: Equality Week! This week we’ll be celebrating equality, empathy and inclusion with fun activities to get you thinking and expressing.
March 23-26: Indoor Sports Week! If you get bored on a rainy day, this week’s for you. We’re playing a variety of indoor sports with some community partners, including Chattanooga Rugby.
March 28: Sweaty Saturday - Indoor Archery! Outdoor Chattanooga is bringing indoor archery to our 2nd Floor for this special event. A waiver is needed beforehand, and one can be picked up in person or found on our website event page.
All materials and equipment will be provided!
Movie Matinees
Tuesdays @ Downtown // 2-4 p.m.
This March, we're getting mysterious! Join us every Tuesday for these mystery movies:
March 3: The Sixth Sense (1999)
March 10: Knives Out (2019)
March 17: The Da Vinci Code (2006)
March 24: Murder on the Orient Express (2019)
March 31: Alex Cross (2012)
Movies are screened in our 1st Floor Auditorium for adults 18+. Popcorn will be served!
Book Chatt Connection
2nd & 4th Fridays @ Downtown // 10:30 a.m.-noon
Calling all book lovers! If you’re a reader who loves telling others about your latest read, join us for Book Chatt Connections.
On March 13 and 27, meet up with your fellow readers and local librarians at the Downtown Library’s cafe to talk about what you are reading. Share what you’ve been reading, and hear book suggestions from other readers. Plus, you can browse the stacks with your librarians, and grab a delicious cup of Shush coffee, roasted by Mad Priest.
Friend of the Library Spring Book Sale
March 14-31 @ Eastgate Mall
Mon - Sat @ 9 a.m.-6 p.m. // Sun @ noon-6 p.m.
It’s that time of the year to expand your book collection! Join our Friends of the Chattanooga Public Library for their annual Spring Book Sale.
The sale happens every day from March 14 through 31 with these special sale dates:
March 27: Half Price Day
March 28: $5 per Bag Day
March 29: $2 per Bag & Free Books for Teachers and Nonprofits Day
March 30: $1 per Yard or Bag Day
March 31: Free Books Day!
If you would like to support the Friends or volunteer, email folibchatt@gmail.com or call (423) 643-7747.
Sale is happening at the Town Center “B” Entrance, Eastgate Mall, 5600 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
Crafting with Craft Beers
Sunday, March 15 @ Barley Chattanooga // 5-7 p.m.
If you like making upscale arts and crafts, enjoying cool, local bars and hanging with your friends, then you are in luck!
Crafting with Craft Beers meets every third Sunday of the month at Barley Chattanooga from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. During this program, you are encouraged to enjoy Barley’s wide selection of craft beers, cocktails and wine, while also partaking in a seasonal “make and take” craft.
This month we’re “springing forward” with handmade sundials! We’ll provide you with materials we’ve laser cut on our 4th Floor for you to assemble and decorate.
All crafting materials and instructions will be provided by the Library. All that we ask is that you please craft responsibly.
Free Health Screenings
Wednesday, March 18 @ Downtown // noon-2 p.m.
The UTC Nursing Department will be administering free health screenings in the 1st Floor Auditorium at the Downtown Branch.
This is a confidential screening in which BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, balance check, asthma screening and cholesterol can all be checked. If you can’t make it on March 18, additional screenings will also take place at the Library on the following dates:
April 1
April 6
April 15
Resource referrals for healthcare will also be available, as well as the Library’s Social Worker Intern.
Seniors Ready to Play!
Mondays - Thursdays @ Avondale // 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fridays @ Avondale // 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Our Avondale Branch welcomes all seniors to join us Monday through Friday for fun morning and afternoon activities.
We’ll be pouring free Shush! Coffee (specially roasted for the Library by Mad Priest), and offering newspapers, magazines, computers, puzzles, board games, coloring and fellowship.
The Avondale Branch is located in the new YFD Center at 1305 Dodson Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37406.
Spring Celebration
Saturday, March 21 @ Northgate // 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Gardeners and plant lovers of all ages are invited to our Northgate Library’s Spring Celebration! We’ll be hosting a variety of neat nature activities to get you into the season, including:
Seed Swap: We'll have lots of seeds, so bring your own to trade.
Crafts for Kids: Kids can get involved with garden-themed crafts.
Garden Booth: Share seeds and get your garden questions answered by Agriculture Teacher Lee Friedlander from Hixson High School, and hear all about our Seed Exchange downtown.
This event is open to all ages and no registration is required. Come hobnob and chat with other gardeners!
2020 Census: #CountOnLibraries Silent Discos
March 25 - April 18 // Times & Locations Vary
For every person in Chattanooga who does not complete the Census, we lose $1,024 of federal funding. To make sure everyone is counted, we’ve teamed up with libraries across the country to make sure everyone counts. From answering privacy questions to helping you self-report online, we’re here to get you ready. Plus, we’re going to make it fun!
Join us at one of our upcoming Silent Discos to learn about the census, (silently) jam out to great tunes and enjoy food and games.
March 25: Chattanooga State Community College, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 4: Avondale Branch, 4-6 p.m.
April 18: Book Fiesta in East Lake, 1-4 p.m.
Weekend Craft Club
Saturday, March 28 @ Downtown // 1-3 p.m.
If you haven't heard the news, crafting isn't just for kids! On the last Saturday of every month, we get together on our 1st Floor to make a useful craft.
This March, create your own custom bandana! We’ll provide wooden stamps carved with our Glowforge laser cutter to help you create a bandana that's a perfect accessory for you or your pet.
No registration is required, and materials will be provided.
Symphonic Tales Presents Listen to My Trumpet!
Saturday, March 28 @ South Chattanooga // 1-2 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 @ Downtown // 3-4 p.m.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Department of Performing Arts in partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library’s Children’s Department presents Symphonic Tales, a music and literacy series for young children.
Join us on Saturday, March 28, for an exciting presentation of Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday” with piano performed by Ethan McGrath and trumpets by Erika Schafer, Tina Erickson and Meaghan Hibbs. This piece will be paired with an act out presentation of Mo Willems’ book, Listen to My Trumpet! Games and crafts will follow the performance.
There are two chances to catch this special event:
1-2 p.m. at our South Chattanooga Branch
3-4 p.m. at our Downtown Branch
Symphonic Tales is made possible thanks to the generous support of The Tennessee Arts Commission, the Francis Hall Hill professorship, UTC Department of Performing Arts, the Chattanooga Public Library and the Friends of the Library.
The Studio @ the Downtown Branch
Did you know The Studio features a main control room, vocal booth, drum room and live room? Library card holders have access to the Downtown Branch’s professional studio featuring industry standard equipment, professionally led workshops and learning opportunities.
For inquiries about partnership with The Studio or open studio times, contact our new Studio Engineer Sam Mentzer, spmentzer@chattanooga.gov or (423) 643-7720. You can also learn more at chattlibrary.org/thestudio.