The Chattanooga Public Library Foundation, in partnership with an anonymous donor, will offer a limited number of non-city resident library cards for free at the upcoming Fall Book Sale at Venue 701, Thursday through Sunday.
Currently, library users who do not reside within the city limits of Chattanooga can purchase a Chattanooga Public Library card for $50. The card can be used to check out books, audiobooks, DVDs, tools, seeds and digital materials, as well as to reserve meeting rooms and the Recording Studio located at the Main/Downtown Library. The non-city resident library card was created in 2012 after a tax agreement between Hamilton County and the city of Chattanooga was not renewed. Since then, the Library has been funded solely by city taxpayers.
“We are so grateful for our donor,” said Meg Crimmins Beene, chair of the Foundation. “Because of their generosity, we can offer a limited number of cards to help residents outside the city access everything that’s available through our phenomenal library.”
The Foundation is offering 70 cards, which will be available on a first come, first serve basis this week at the Fall Book Sale, at Venue 701, 701 Mississippi Ave. Anyone interested in applying can visit the Foundation table at the sale. After the sale, remaining library cards will be available at library branch locations. Additionally, the Library offers many services that do not require a library card. Anyone can attend fun, educational programs and use the public computers, 4th Floor Makerspace, Passports Acceptance Office, fax machines, printer/copiers and notary services.
For more information about CPL’s library locations, events, and more, please visit chattlibrary.org.