Things in the City of Tyler: Tyler Public Library

Yes, we have a library on campus, in case you still have yet to figure that out.  However, there are students on campus that have not ventured out to the Tyler Public Library. I currently work at the public library, so let me introduce you. If you live within the Tyler city limits, (i.e. you have moved here recently or pay Tyler property taxes*) all the resources are free. Ready for a walk-through?

First floor:

As you enter, to the left, you will see a lobby. Behind our main entrance, we have a patio. On Thursdays, we have a farmer’s market from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It’s not just fruits and vegetables either; we have coffee sellers, live music, and more.

To the right of the entrance, the first thing you’ll notice is the circulation desk. If you wish to acquire a library card, this is where you’ll go.

Circulation is where you check out everything, as well.

The information desk is the place where you go when you know what it is that you’re looking for, but you have trouble finding. They also take care of the inter-library loans: other libraries can loan us materials if we don’t have them.

Also found on the first floor, you will find a space for our books for sale.

Wall of Books!!!

These books, VHSs and CDs cost anywhere from $0.50 to $2. (Pro tip: if you have a new bookshelf that looks a little sparse, add some old books and you’ll feel a tiny bit more mature and accomplished.) For our readers that are still in high school, I found these gems for a $1 each:

NOTE: these prep books are outdated. If you manage to find any kind of older SAT or ACT prep books anywhere, mind that things have more than likely changed and those books should be used as a supplement or starting point, not a cheap replacement,  for your exam study material.

On the first floor is our children’s section. If you babysit, have young siblings, or have children of your own, here’s free entertainment for them. We also have current magazines, newspapers, and a small Spanish section on this floor.

Second floor:

This is nothing but books. Here is where you’ll find our biographies, non-fiction, fiction, large print, sci-fi/fantasy, mystery, western, inspirational (a new section that we’ve added that highlights books that have no vulgarity or adult situations),and young adult books. If we don’t have it, feel free to request it.

Third floor:

Our little known audio visual department resides here. We have movies, documentaries, biographies, tv series, and audiobooks available for checkout. We also have a small computer lab in this department.

On the third floor, we have a genealogy (local history) department as well. Old stuff here man.  This is where you go to find out happenings from Tyler or surrounding areas from way back in the day.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the public library, check it out. It’s free and stuff, and there’s events happening all summer

*When you apply for a library card, please bring a photo ID and some kind of proof of current residency (if you live on campus now, you live within the city limits, so everything is free to you): any kind of utility bill, any kind of correspondence from the university, or any official kind of document that shows us where you live. If you do not live within the city of Tyler and/or pay property taxes here, you’re considered a non-resident and you have to pay $0.50 per each item you check out and each time you want to use a computer in AV. 

Now, you have no excuse to say that you're bored this summer. You're welcome. Let me know if there's any specific place in Tyler you want me (or any of our other bloggers) to cover.