Murder Mystery Date Night in conjunction with FOL and CP&R Dept.
2024-07-30 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | West Room City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN, 37363
This activity is designed to be a fun night out for parents, grandparents, singles, girlfriends, etc.! For the adults there will be an interactive murder mystery activity where everyone will play a role – whether big or small. Tonight’s activity is a Murder at a Luau Mystery. Guests will enjoy pizza dinner and then work together to solve the mystery! Participants are encouraged to dress for a luau but it is not a requirement to participate. While the adults enjoy their time in the City Hall West Room – their children, grandchildren, etc will enjoy watching a tropical kids movie, crafts and pizza with our Children’s Librarian, Ms. Bailey. The kiddos will be located in the adjoining East Room – so not too far away and enough room to enjoy a fun, adults night out while they enjoy a kids night out!
This event will cost $5 per adult and registration will be located on the Collegedale Parks and Recreation Website. Registration is not yet open.

End of Summer Reading Party
2024-08-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Collegedale Commons, 4910 Swinyar Dr., Collegedale, TN, 37315, United States
Join us for this years Summer Reading Wrap-up Party! We are so excited to celebrate a Summer of reading fun for all ages. It’s amazing how quickly time is flying this Summer and you do not want to miss out on the end of Summer fun.

Raffle prizes will be drawn at this time as well – but you are not required to be present to claim your prize. We will contact any winners not present to arrange for pick-up.

We will have crafts, games, sparkle tattoos, an obstacle course and the always popular petting zoo! We hope to see you there.

Family Event: Collegedale Cupcake Wars!
2024-08-20 18:00 - 19:00 | West Room City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN, 37363
*THIS EVENT IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED FOR THE FIRST 50 PEOPLE.*

Join us for an August family fun night of our 2nd Annual Collegedale Cupcake Wars! Participants will decorate one cupcake and choose their theme. Supplies and decorating materials will be provided. There will be four grand prizes awarded for the following categories: Best of Show (best overall cupcake), Most Creative (with use of supplies/toppings provided), Best Literary Theme (for any cupcakes using a book or book character theme), The People’s Choice Award (voted on by the participants).

Kids Lego Club
2024-08-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
What’s better than a massive pile of LEGO bricks? Absolutely nothing! Stop by our Kid’s LEGO club and enjoy 45 minutes of LEGO free play. Ages 6+

Paws to Read with Therapy Dog
2024-08-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Meet Atreyu! This pup is all ears and ready to hear you read to him during our Paws to Read hour. Pick a book from our shelves and read to Atreyu or visit with him. If you are shy around dogs, you can watch Atreyu while you do the small craft provided. For safety, we will limit the number of people in the room with Atreyu at one time.

Origami Workshop: Pencil Cup Holder
2024-08-29 17:30 - 18:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join Ms. Shirley for some Back-to-School paper folding fun where we will make a cool pencil cup holder for our pens and pencils plus a mini notebook.

Happy Labor Day!
2024-09-02 | TN
The Collegedale Public Library will be closed Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of the state holiday. We look forward to seeing you again Tuesday, September 3rd.

Family Event: Charm-ing Color Scratch Bookmarks
2024-09-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us Thursday afternoon for an easy, customizable bookmark craft. We will use tools to scratch a colorful design or name onto your bookmark. Then we will add a satin tassel with a cute charm of your choosing. This craft is open to participants of all ages, first come, first served, no library card requirement.

Paws to Read: Therapy Dog
2024-09-12 16:00 - 17:00 | TN
Meet Phoenix! This pup is all ears and ready to hear you read to him during our Paws to Read hour. Pick a book from our shelves and read to Phoenix or visit with him. If you are shy around dogs, you can watch Phoenix while you do the small craft provided. For safety, we will limit the number of people in the room at one time.

Staff Development Day
2024-09-13 | TN
The Collegedale Public Library will be CLOSED Friday, September 13, 2024 for our annual Staff Development Day. We will resume normal operating hours Saturday, September 14, 2024.

Local Author Visit: Tyler Boyd’s The Biggs Machine
2024-09-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join the Friends of the Collegedale Public Library as they host local author Tyler Boyd who will discuss his book – The Biggs Machine – Historical/Non-Fiction. Open to everyone – no library card requirement.
For the first half of the 20th Century in Polk County, Tennessee, Sheriff Burch Biggs reigned supreme. From 1904 to 1948, the political machine of Biggs was built upon three pillars―election fraud, police brutality, and graft―and while it is true that Biggs was not the first (or last) American sheriff to permit “fee-grabbing”, take kickbacks, or stuff the ballot box, the duration and brutality of his tenure makes him exceptional. Biggs was elected sheriff eight times, and when he was out of office, one of his two sons served in his place. The Biggs Machine tells the story of Burch Biggs, his corrupt empire, and how it all came crashing down following World War II. Extensively researched, including interviews with Polk Countians who lived during the Biggs regime, The Biggs Machine presents the true story of how “absolute power corrupts absolutely”, and a cautionary tale to prevent history from repeating itself.
About the Author: Tyler L. Boyd is an author, historian, and educator in McMinn County, Tennessee.
In Spring 2017, Boyd began work on his first book, a biography of Harry T. Burn, his great-granduncle. Burn became famous for casting the deciding vote in the Tennessee General Assembly to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, granting the right to vote to women across America. Boyd debunks the myths about Burn and his role in the woman suffrage movement, and chronicles the rest of his life and career in Tennessee politics. “Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn: Woman Suffrage, Free Elections and a Life of Service,” was published by the History Press in August 2019. It won several awards, including the Award of Distinction from the East Tennessee Historical Society, the Award for Historic Preservation from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and was selected for the Tennessee State Museum’s 2020 Book Club.
His second book, “Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist,” was published in April 2022 by Waldenhouse Publishers. In an era when men dominated the field of journalism, Kenyon covered some of the 20th century’s biggest stories, including the trials of John T. Scopes and Jimmy Hoffa. Through her outstanding work, she paved the way for the many women that work in journalism today. Boyd’s biography of Kenyon won the Project Excellence Award from the East Tennessee Historical Society.
In September 2023, Acclaim Press published Boyd’s third book, “The Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County, Tennessee.” Previously a forbidden topic of discussion for many Polk County natives, Boyd finally chronicles this story for the first time. Inspired by the Battle of Athens in 1946, a bipartisan group of veterans formed the Good Government League (GGL) to challenge the political machine of longtime Polk County Sheriff Burch E. Biggs. Through election fraud, graft, and police brutality, Biggs perpetuated his corrupt regime in power for nearly two decades before its violent overthrow in 1948.
Boyd was born and raised in Athens, Tennessee. He studies history, civics, economics, geography, and philosophy. He enjoys genealogy, running, traveling, and the cinema. He has a B.A. in history and a M.S. in teacher education, both from the University of Tennessee. He has taught high school in Loudon, Bradley, and McMinn Counties. He currently serves as a Programs committee member at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, vice president of the McMinn County Historical Society, secretary of the McMinn County Library Board, and on the Athens Historic Preservation Commission. He is also a member of the East Tennessee Historical Society, Tennessee Historical Society, and the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

Origami Workshop: Autumn Leaves Garland!
2024-09-17 17:30 - 18:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join local Math teacher and origami artist Ms. Shirley for some early Fall fun. We will learn to fold various styles of autumn leaves in this month’s origami workshop. We will provide twine to string these up to make a festive fall garland to hang in your home! This would be a great activity for families to make a garland together or for an individual to create their own garland.
This program is open to anyone in the community, free and no library card requirement.

Family Event: Mini Halloween Glitter Globes
2024-10-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for a Tuesday afternoon family craft where we will make cute mini glitter globes for this Halloween season. This program includes a kit for each participant to create their very own Halloween-scene glitter globe.
This event is open to the community, all ages, no library card requirement! First come, first served!

D&D Club Interest Meeting
2024-10-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Want to play D&D? Come to this meeting to discuss how to play, what everyone is interested in, etc. Hopefully, we can end the night playing.
Ages 11+. Warning: This game does involve descriptions of violence.

Paws to Read: Therapy Dog
2024-10-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States

Escape From Narnia
2024-10-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Library, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, 37363, United States
This Event is full.
Get ready to unlock some fun at our annual escape room: Escape From Narnia!
This year, we’re throwing in a Sunday option on October 20 for a fun family weekend adventure.
Step into the icy world of Narnia through the closet door. The White Witch has wrapped this land in an endless winter chill. To restore the balance and find your exit, you’ll need to solve a series of spellbinding puzzles.
Your quest? Release all the magical gifts required to take down that frosty villain!
We ask you to register using the link provided below. If you are part of a group, please register under a single entry and indicate the total number of participants in your group.

Escape From Narnia
2024-10-21 17:00 - 19:00 | TN

Basic Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers
2024-10-23 15:00 - 15:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Our Collegedale neighbor, student and library patron Ms. Ellie will be here to teach us some of the basics of ASL communication to toddlers and baby + their parent, grandparent or other guardian. She will demonstrate greetings, basic words and emotions in order to allow our youngest patrons to communicate before developing their verbal skills. Join Ms. Ellie for a taste of ASL communications for parents and babies/toddlers!

Origami Workshop: Pumpkins & Ghosts
2024-10-29 17:30 - 18:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join local Math teacher and origami artist Ms. Shirley for some Fall fun and paper crafting. We will learn to fold paper pumpkins and ghosts in this month’s origami workshop. This is a fun activity for all ages and families. This program is open to anyone in the community, free and no library card requirement.

Trick or Treat at the Library
2024-10-31 15:00 - 19:00 | TN
Stop by the Collegedale Public Library between 3:00 – 7:00 PM on Halloween night in your costume or wearing your favorite Halloween or Fall shirt to receive a Fall treat bag from your local Collegedale librarians. We hope that each and every one of you has a fun, happy and safe night and we hope to see some of you in the library. While supplies last, first come, first served. No library card requirement.

Dungeons and Dragons Club
2024-11-05 17:30 - 19:30 | West Room City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN, 37363
Join us this month for a one-shot! We will be using pre-made characters this time for ease. No experience is needed.
Located in the West Room of City Hall.

Family Board Game Night
2024-11-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for a laid back afternoon of board game fun. We supply the games and location. This activity is open to all ages and there is no library card requirement.

String Theory
2024-11-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Bring any style of needlework project (knit, crochet, cross stitch, embroidery…) to this informal gathering and talk about books, recipes, and whatever else strikes your fancy while you work.

Origami Workshop: Holiday Ornaments
2024-11-13 17:00 - 18:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join local Math teacher and origami artist Ms. Shirley for some Fall fun and paper crafting. We will learn to fold holiday ornaments for Christmas season decorating and tree trimming in this month’s origami workshop. This is a fun activity for all ages and families. This program is open to anyone in the community, free and no library card requirement.

Basic Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers
2024-11-14 14:00 - 14:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Our Collegedale neighbor, student and library patron Ms. Ellie will be here to teach us some of the basics of ASL communication to toddlers and baby + their parent, grandparent or other guardian. She will demonstrate greetings, basic words and emotions in order to allow our youngest patrons to communicate before developing their verbal skills. Join Ms. Ellie for a taste of ASL communications for parents and babies/toddlers!
Open to all community members – no library card requirement.

Collegedale Family BINGO Night
2024-11-26 17:30 - 18:30 | City Hall​, 4910 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN, 37315, United States
This event has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Gingerbread Wars
2024-12-03 17:30 - 18:30 | TN
Get ready for a deliciously fun challenge at the library! Gather your friends and put your creativity to the test in our Gingerbread Wars. Teams will design and build amazing structures using graham crackers, icing, and candy decorations—all while exploring engineering and design principles. Limited availability; first come, first served.

One-on-One with a Financial Advisor
2024-12-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
The Library is offering One-on-One sessions with Anthony Young who is a financial advisor from Thrivent, a non-profit financial organization. 30 minute sessions are free and private in our meeting room. Getting your finances in order isn’t always easy or clear. That’s why Anthony is here to provide the expertise and support you need. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for a meaningful retirement, you deserve personalized financial guidance driven by what’s important to you. Together, we’ll assess your financial picture and explore how you can.
There are 4 sessions available starting at 5:00 PM: 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30. Sessions are free, but limited. Please register for a session (only one session per person). If you need to cancel, please let us know so we can contact someone on the waiting list. *No products will be sold*
Pre-register today to reserve a spot!
Open to any and all community members – no library card membership required.

Tales and Tails with Phoenix the Therapy Dog
2024-12-11 16:00 - 17:00 | TN
Celebrate the holiday season with us at the library! Meet Phoenix, our colorful therapy dog, and his owner Cu for a festive hour filled with joy. Enjoy a delightful Christmas story read aloud, interact with Phoenix, and get creative with a fun craft activity!
Bring your family and friends for a heartwarming experience that spreads holiday cheer and creativity. Don’t miss out on this paws-itively wonderful event!

Family Origami Workshop: Snowflakes
2024-12-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join local Math teacher and origami artist Ms. Shirley for some holiday fun and paper crafting. We will learn to fold super cool, large, 3-D paper snowflakes for winter and the holiday season during this month’s origami workshop. This is a fun activity for all ages as well as families. This program is open to anyone in the community, free and no library card requirement.
