Crime Reads Book Club: Zenith Man by McCracken Poston, Jr.
2025-09-13 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Crime Reads Book Club will be discussing Zenith Man by McCracken Poston, Jr.
Like a nonfiction John Grisham thriller with echoes of Rainman, Just Mercy, and a captivating smalltown Southern setting, this is the fascinating true story—sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking—of an idealistic young lawyer determined to free an innocent neurodivergent man accused of murdering the wife no one knew he had.
An inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice for readers of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Just Mercy.
Was this small-town TV repair man “a harmless eccentric or a bizarre killer” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). For the first time, Alvin Ridley’s own defense attorney reveals the inside story of his case and trial in an extraordinary tale of friendship and an idealistic young attorney’s quest to clear his client’s name—and, in the process, rebuild his own life.
In October 1997, the town of Ringgold in northwest Georgia was shaken by reports of a murder in its midst. A dead woman was found in Alvin Ridley’s house—and even more shockingly, she was the wife no one knew he had.
McCracken Poston had been a state representative before he lost his bid for U.S. Congress and returned to his law career. Alvin Ridley was a local character who once sold and serviced Zenith televisions. Though reclusive and an outsider, the “Zenith Man,” as Poston knew him, hardly seemed capable of murder.
Alvin was a difficult client, storing evidence in a cockroach-infested suitcase, unwilling to reveal key facts to his defender. Gradually, Poston pieced together the full story behind Virginia and Alvin’s curious marriage and her cause of death—which was completely overlooked by law enforcement. Calling on medical experts, testimony from Alvin himself, and a wealth of surprising evidence gleaned from Alvin’s junk-strewn house, Poston presented a groundbreaking defense that allowed Alvin to return to his peculiar lifestyle, a free man.
Years after his trial, Alvin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a revelation that sheds light on much of his lifelong personal battle—and shows how easily those who don’t fit societal norms can be castigated and misunderstood. Part true crime, part courtroom drama, and full of local color, Zenith Man is also the moving story of an unexpected friendship between two very different men that changed—and perhaps saved—the lives of both.
McCracken Poston, Jr. McCracken Poston Jr. is a criminal defense attorney, former Georgia state legislator, and author of “Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom” (Citadel, 2024).
He served four terms in the Georgia House of Representatives before returning to private legal practice. In 1999, he defended Alvin Ridley, a reclusive television repairman in Ringgold, Georgia, who was accused of murdering his wife after she hadn’t been seen in public for nearly 30 years. Poston’s discovery of Virginia Ridley’s extensive writings helped prove her agoraphobia and epilepsy — and led to Alvin’s acquittal in one of the most misunderstood criminal cases in Georgia history.
More than two decades later, Alvin was diagnosed with autism at age 79, casting the case in an entirely new light. Poston remained close to Alvin until his death in 2024, and their story is the basis of Zenith Man, a literary true crime memoir about justice, misunderstanding, and late-life redemption.
This program is open to any community members, no library card membership required!

Fiction Addiction Book Club: The Guernsay Literary & Potato Peel Society
2025-09-16 16:30 - 17:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE ON NETFLIX – A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.
“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb…
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options Before Enrollment! This informative session is led by Mr. Tim Reynolds, a local Licensed Medicare Advisor who is passionate about demystifying Medicare for future enrollees or those enrolled who are curious about any upcoming updates or changes to Medicare policy and procedure. This session and his services are free of charge to our library community and everyone is welcome, no library card requirement for attendance. Bring your questions and get clear answers!
Two Options:
a.) Tuesday, September 2nd from 6:00-7:00 PM
b.) Tuesday, September 16th from 6:00-7:00 PM

LEGO Robotics
2025-09-17 16:30 - 17:30
Using LEGO Spike and Prime kits, participants will design, build, and program robots to explore mechanics, sensors, and coding. With STEM concepts woven into every build, and a selection of robotics-themed and LEGO books available, you’ll be exploring hands-on learning. Join us for an hour of creativity, coding, and discovery! Limited availability.

City of Collegedale's Grand Reopening of the Katie Lamb Public Library
2025-09-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Library, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, 37363, United States
Come celebrate the city of Collegedale’s Grand Reopening of the newly renovated Katie Lamb Public Library. This celebration features a ribbon cutting by Katie Lamb, Friends of the Library silent auction fundraiser, refreshments, a scavenger hunt created by Miss Bailey and a bookmark craft.

Local Author Series: 2nd Chances: A Book of Choices by T.D. Cooper
2025-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join the Friends of the Katie Lamb Public Library as they host local author T.D. Cooper who will discuss her book – 2nd Chances: A Book of Choices. Event is open to everyone – no library card membership requirement.
Imagine being in love for three hundred years with the same soul…
Trevor Brady drowned while pirating on the Caribbean in the 1700’s and was given a chance to redeem his soul. He begins life anew, as a guardian of human beings. Trevor finds himself in love with what may be the reincarnation of his childhood sweetheart, who was murdered by Trevor’s former ship captain. To make things worse, it looks like the ship’s captain has returned from the grave, bent on taking his revenge on Trevor and all whom he loves. They all collide in the world of kidnapping, drugs, and slavery.
About the Author – I never thought I would be a writer when I was young, in fact I didn’t like to read. I was an outside girl, riding my bike, swimming, climbing trees, and making up my own stories as I played. We lived in the San Joaquin Valley where it was hot in the summer and foggy in the winter. My brother and I were close and spent most of our free time together. My dad owned a nursery and we were required to work watering the plants and pulling weeds. But for the most part I had a normal childhood and teenage life. High school consisted of cheerleading, competing on the swim team, and making grades, so that I’d be accepted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
I met and married the love of my life while working as an EMT. When the girls came along I stayed home and raised them. My husband found his passion in I.T.
My writing career began when I broke my leg and was not allowed to walk. I had to do something to purge my wild imagination and energy. I discovered the computer. I spent the next six weeks reading every book I could find on how to write. I read and wrote every day until I could tell a story. When I felt I was ready I began researching and writing my own novel. I doubted myself almost every day, but here I am, five years later with a completed novel. (Thank you to all the people who helped and encouraged me along the way).
I teach my swimmers to work hard and never give up on their dreams. I think the same advice applies to me. The word can’t is not in my vocabulary. My motto: Dream big, work hard, and never give up has worked well for me throughout my life.

Minecraft Monday
2025-09-22 16:30 - 17:30
Build, explore, and collaborate at Minecraft Monday! Unleash your creativity as you construct and code in Minecraft, practice spatial reasoning, and even develop stories or quests within your builds. Minecraft-themed books will be on display to inspire both gameplay and reading. Join us for an hour of gaming, building, and storytelling. Laptops are provided, and you can bring your own device with Minecraft: Java edition. Limited availability.

Little Debbie Storytime
2025-09-23 10:30 - 11:00
Join your nutty buddy, Ms. Bailey, at the Little Debbie Park for a super sweet storytime! Ages 0-5, meet at the Oatmeal Creme Pie.
McKee has donated Cosmic Brownies, which will be distributed to participants. Thank you, McKee!

Dungeons and Dragons Club
2025-09-23 17:30 - 19:30
Join us this month to play D&D in the library!
Ages 11+, Limited Availability

Romantasy Book Club: Fourth Wing
2025-09-27 14:00 - 15:00
Do you love Romance and Fantasy and want a place to meet and discuss your favorite books? Romantasy book club is perfect for you! This month, we will discuss Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros while having light refreshments. At the end, we’ll vote on next month’s book! The library will have copies to available to check out.

Chess Club
2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:00
Sharpen your strategic skills at Chess Club! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, this session helps develop logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and strategic planning. Chess-themed books and guides will be available for newcomers, and friendly matches will help build skills and confidence. The library has limited boards, please bring your own if possible!

Kitten Storytime!
2025-09-29 16:30 - 18:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Reading aloud helps kids expand their vocabulary and improve their reading skills. Learning to read can be scary – but a friendly face particularly one with a soothing purr can help build reading confidence! Join us for a meet and greet with some adorable rescue kittens at the library and seize the opportunity to read in front of a group (of feline friends!). Our community will have the opportunity to mingle with kittens from Rad Cat Rescue (https://www.radcatinc.org/) and learn more about adoption and fostering opportunities as well. We would love to have you drop in during this time to read or simply love on some sweet kittens!

Adult & Teen Craft: Book Bedazzling! Bring Your Own Book!
2025-09-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for an evening of Bedazzled Books—where hardbacks and paperbacks meet pizzazz! Bring your favorite book and transform it into a glittering work of art to take home using gems, glue, and a little imagination. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just in it for the good vibes, this event is for you! This program is intended for adults and teens (13 years and up) and is first come, first served, as supplies and space are limited. No registration is required.

Book Besties
2025-10-06 16:45 - 17:45
This program is a book club for ages 7-13! We discuss any of the books we have read in the last month, eat snacks, and then play a game or create a craft.

Halloween Storytime
2025-10-07 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-08 10:30 - 11:00
Join Ms. Bailey for a spooky Halloween-themed storytime full of stories and songs!

Dungeons and Dragons Club
2025-10-07 17:30 - 19:30 | East Room City Hall
Come adventure through a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Ages 11+.

One-on-One with a Financial Advisor
2025-10-08 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!

Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options
2025-10-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options Before Enrollment! This informative session is led by Mr. Tim Reynolds, a local Licensed Medicare Advisor who is passionate about demystifying Medicare for future enrollees or those enrolled who are curious about any upcoming updates or changes to Medicare policy and procedure. This session and his services are free of charge to our library community and everyone is welcome! Bring your questions and get clear answers!
Drop-in from 5-7:00 PM!

Beginner Yoga for Adults & Teens
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:00
Local community member and Certified Yoga Instructor Cyndi Allen will be leading us through a beginner yoga class focused on relaxation. We will read a passage related to self-care, and then she will lead us in some beginning yoga moves that are sure to ease away the day’s tensions and stresses. Cyndi currently teaches yoga around the Chattanooga area – including Chattanooga Yoga Center of Ooltewah https://thechattanoogayogacenter.com/. She is donating an hour of her time to be here for us and there is no cost required of you to participate. Bring your own mat (or a beach towel) and meet in the Library Meeting Room.

Crime Reads Book Club: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
2025-10-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Crime Reads Book Club will be discussing Thunderstruck by Erik Larsen.
The interwoven stories of two men whose lives intersect during one of the greatest criminal cases of all time – Hawley Crippen, a very unlikely murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of a seemingly supernatural means of communication.
A true story of love, murder, and the end of the world’s “great hush”
In Thunderstruck, Erik Larson tells the interwoven stories of two men—Hawley Crippen, a very unlikely murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of a seemingly supernatural means of communication—whose lives intersect during one of the greatest criminal chases of all time.
Set in Edwardian London and on the stormy coasts of Cornwall, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia, Thunderstruck evokes the dynamism of those years when great shipping companies competed to build the biggest, fastest ocean liners, scientific advances dazzled the public with visions of a world transformed, and the rich outdid one another with ostentatious displays of wealth. Against this background, Marconi races against incredible odds and relentless skepticism to perfect his invention: the wireless, a prime catalyst for the emergence of the world we know today. Meanwhile, Crippen, “the kindest of men,” nearly commits the perfect crime.
With his superb narrative skills, Erik Larson guides these parallel narratives toward a relentlessly suspenseful meeting on the waters of the North Atlantic. Along the way, he tells of a sad and tragic love affair that was described on the front pages of newspapers around the world, a chief inspector who found himself strangely sympathetic to the killer and his lover, and a driven and compelling inventor who transformed the way we communicate. Thunderstruck presents a vibrant portrait of an era of séances, science, and fog, inhabited by inventors, magicians, and Scotland Yard detectives, all presided over by the amiable and fun-loving Edward VII as the world slid inevitably toward the first great war of the twentieth century. Gripping from the first page, and rich with fascinating detail about the time, the people, and the new inventions that connect and divide us, Thunderstruck is splendid narrative history from a master of the form.
Erik Larson (born January 3, 1954) is an American journalist and author of mostly historical nonfiction books. His books include Isaac’s Storm (1999), The Devil in the White City (2003),[1] In the Garden of Beasts (2011), and Dead Wake (2015). The Devil in the White City won the 2004 Edgar Award in the Best Fact Crime category, among other awards.

Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options
2025-10-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options Before Enrollment! This informative session is led by Mr. Tim Reynolds, a local Licensed Medicare Advisor who is passionate about demystifying Medicare for future enrollees or those enrolled who are curious about any upcoming updates or changes to Medicare policy and procedure. This session and his services are free of charge to our library community and everyone is welcome! Bring your questions and get clear answers!
Drop-in between 3-5:00 PM.

LEGO Free Play
2025-10-13 16:30 - 17:30
Let loose with LEGO Free Play, where imagination takes the lead! This open-ended session encourages kids to explore engineering basics like balance and symmetry through creative building. Perfect for budding builders and storytellers alike. Ages 6-12.

Preschool Storytime
2025-10-14 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-21 10:30 - 11:00
Join a special guest for a fun storytime filled with stories, movement, and songs. This program is for ages 3-5 and capped at 40 participants.

Adult Craft: Ghostly Doormats
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join us for an evening of Ghostly Doormat crafting at the library! We will be making the friendliest ghostly doormats using black mats, paint and cookie cutters. This craft is a fairly easy to execute home decor creation open to all adults 17 years of age and up in our community. We can even discuss our favorite boooooks during this activity. This library-funded craft is provided at no cost to you, limited supplies.
The Adult Craft is open to participants AGED 17 YEARS AND UP. This is designed to be a creative outlet for our adult participants to unwind and create.

Baby and Toddler Storytime
2025-10-15 10:30 - 11:00
Join a special guest for a fun storytime filled with stories, movement, and songs. This program is for ages 0-3 and capped at 40 participants.

LEGO Robotics
2025-10-16 16:30 - 17:30
Using LEGO Spike and Prime kits, participants will design, build, and program robots to explore mechanics, sensors, and coding. Join us for an hour of creativity, coding, and discovery! Limited availability. Ages 8-17.

Local Author Visit: Garrett Nudd’s More Than
2025-10-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Library Meeting Room, 9318 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN, United States
Join the Katie Lamb Friends of the Library as they host local author Garrett Nudd who will discuss his book – More Than – Nonfiction/Self-Help/Christian
Most people view themselves as less than―less than they are, less than others see them, and less than God designed them to be. Countless times in our own lives and throughout the Bible, God shows us that we are More Than. Garrett shows readers how to notice instances in their own lives when God reveals that they are More Than. He challenges readers with the ideology that when God gives us More Than, he expects us to share More Than with others so they can experience More Than too.
From the Author:
More Than is for parents because parenting is the hardest job in the world. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt unworthy to be a parent and unworthy to raise children.
More Than is for teens because being a teenager today is filled with so many challenges and pressures. I want you to know how much you are loved and valued.
More Than is for creatives. I’m a creative and in the deepest depths of my soul, I have a passion to create and a constant desire for the approval of others.
More Than is for people who feel stuck in their job. You spend so much time at work, and many people feel stuck in their job punching a clock and collecting a paycheck. It’s easy to feel like there’s more to life. There is!
More Than is for people who feel like they aren’t worthy. I don’t know your story―maybe it’s a failed marriage, a lost job, trauma from your parents or someone in your past, a series of bad decisions, a challenging financial situation, or a betrayal from someone you thought was a friend. You are more than. You are worthy. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are bought with a price.
My encouragement to you is to set aside intentional time each day to reflect on your own story and look at how God has shown up and shown off in your life. Write, journal, make notes, and channel those discoveries to help shape your perspective from a mindset of less than to a mindset of more than.
After completing this book, you will:
* Recognize God’s promise for More Than in your life.
* Have the tools to overcome long-standing feelings of less than.
* Be inspired to look for your own More Than experiences and share them with others.
* Become intentional about embracing the concept of More Than and engaging in its impact in your life.
About the Author: Garrett is a storyteller and connector. He is a speaker at conferences and groups around the country. Blending humor and poignancy, Garrett delivers compelling keynotes on the topics of mission, culture, individual worthiness, faith, marketing and branding. He was named by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine as one of the top destination wedding photographers in the world. Garrett leads communications and fundraising for AdventHealth Georgia. In his free-time he enjoys reading, golf, traveling and making guacamole. Garrett and his wife, Joy, live in beautiful Northwest Georgia with their three spirited daughters, Graycen, Campbell, and Spencer.

Minecraft Monday
2025-10-20 16:30 - 17:30
Build, explore, and collaborate at Minecraft Monday! Unleash your creativity as you construct and code in Minecraft, practice spatial reasoning, and even develop stories or quests within your builds. Minecraft-themed books will be on display to inspire both gameplay and reading. Join us for an hour of gaming, building, and storytelling. Laptops are provided, and you can bring your own device with Minecraft: Java edition. Limited availability. Ages 8-17.
