Chattanooga Public Library reminds the community about free parking

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Public Library has recently announced new initiatives to make accessing literature easier by removing several financial barriers, including parking fees.

With their new Start Smart Initiative, which provides free library cards to children aged five and under and a free parking option, they hope the community will take advantage of these opportunities.

Will O’Hearn, the Executive Director of the Chattanooga Public Library, explains that they are partnering with EPB to provide this luxury to the community and hopes families will benefit from it.

“The first 40 people that come to the library are able to get two hours of free parking,” he says. “All they need to do is go to the EPB parking lot, kitty-corner from the library. Bring your license plate number, register at the desk, and you’ll get two hours of free parking. You can then enjoy all the library’s services and programs.”

O’Hearn also elaborates on their plans for the future regarding parking.

“Due to the current lack of demand, we don’t have any plans to expand the parking right now. However, if the people of Chattanooga show more demand for it, we’d love to explore expanding parking further to continue offering this convenience.”

While there are only 40 spaces available at a time for free parking, he assures the public that there are usually a few spaces left at the end of each day.

The Executive Director encourages everyone to tell friends and family about their visit to the library and to check out the variety of events taking place.

One of the library’s unique services is family passes, which allow individuals to explore different cultural institutions throughout the city.

Additionally, essential items such as camping gear can be checked out anytime, eliminating the need to stretch the budget to afford such equipment.

O’Hearn emphasizes the library’s wide range of events, tools, reading materials, and hands-on projects that are open to everyone.

“The library is a very community-driven organization. Whenever we identify a community need, we listen and work to address it. I feel really good about being part of that and helping make the library more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I’m someone who likes to support others, so this is the perfect job for me—a great way to help the community.”