Gaston Park Branch Library

Address: 1040 S. Third St., 38106
Telephone: (901) 942-0836
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 12:00 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri. and Sun - CLOSED
Holiday Closings for all Memphis Public Library & Information Center libraries can be found here.

History

The site of the John Gaston home was used to build a community center in 1933. In 1978 the center was refurbished and a Headstart center and a community library were added. The 5,100 sq. ft. Gaston Park Library was built with federal and municipal funds. Its initial design differed from other libraries in the region in that it did not include meeting room space, a staff workroom, or exterior windows.

In 1990, the library was renovated at a cost of $81,000. The collection was enhanced, a new meeting room was added, the shelving was redesigned to provide a more visually appealing atmosphere, and computer workstations were added.

Child Care Provider Workshops
GASTON PARK LIBRARY

For a complete schedule, see below.

Community

Gaston Park Library’s service area encompasses the residential areas of Crump Ave. and South Parkway, west of Bellevue Blvd., and the industrial area west of Florida Street and east of the Mississippi River. The actual service area is considerably smaller than the established boundaries would indicate because of transportation barriers, railroads and other barriers. There are no middle or secondary schools located in the service area. LeMoyne-Owen College is located within our area also.

Collection

We have an exciting array of materials geared toward providing the information that our customers want and need. Our collection includes:

Popular library fiction
African – American fiction collection especially paperbacks
Romance novels
Parent/teacher collection
Job and Career development collection
Job postings notebook which includes First Tennessee Bank, City of Memphis, &University of Memphis postings
Vast array of African – American subjects and biographies
Large collection of easy non-fiction
Great collection of Classic Books

Computers

Computers for browsing the Internet (including email), accessing information online, or for use with word processing etc. are available for public use. See the Internet Use Policy and the Computer Assistance Policy for more information.

We have 12 computers and an electric typewriter that are free and open to the public. Call and reserve time.

Internet access available on 10 computers
Complete word processing capabilities using Microsoft Word
Spreadsheet and database applications using Excel and Access
Powerpoint, an extremely powerful presentation tool
Publisher, designed to meet all your desktop publishing needs
Encyclopedia Products, including Encarta programs
CD-ROM products featuring educational games, formal education support products are on 1 designated children’s computer
Barney and Magic School Bus programs on two computers for children

Meeting Room

Gaston Park provides meeting room space to groups and individuals on an as-needed basis. We are pleased to offer this space to any community group or agency that needs comfortable accommodations for their meetings, workshops or client interactions. Seating is limited to 15 persons. This room is also designated as the Grizzlies Reading and Learning Center and is used as a study room for teens and children.

Programs and Services

Gaston Park is pleased to provide and conduct programs on an outreach basis. Here are a few of the services and programs offered:

Special displays and collections targeting specific topics
Job and Career collection including a job postings notebook, resume materials, career assessment materials and numerous titles to aid you in fulfilling your career expectations
Adult book club meets the 4th Saturday of each month at 3:00 p.m.

For the current schedule of all programs offered by the library, consult InfoDATES, News and Events at Your Memphis Public Libraries.

Items for Sale at Check-Out Desk

The Check-Out Desk at each library has a handy "store" of useful items for sale

GASTON PARK LIBRARY

1040 S. Third St.
942-0836
ONLY SATURDAYS 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

September 26, 2009: Creative Afterschool Activities; Joyce Fields, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center
October 17, 2009: Critical Thinking Skills; Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center
November 7, 2009: Transportation Rules and Regulations; TN. Dept. of Human Services: Day Care Licensing Unit
December-None: January 23, 2010; Classic Childhood Music and Songs; Karol Hogan, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
February 20, 2010: Nutrition; Donna Downen, MS, CFCS; University of TN Extension Program
March 20, 2010: Child Abuse Awareness; Keita Cooley; Education Specialist; Memphis Child Advocacy Center
April 3, 2010: Building Self-Esteem through Literature; Conducted Joyce Fields, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center
May-None

NORTH BRANCH LIBRARY

1192 Vollintine Ave.
276-6631
Only Saturdays 9:30-11:30 am

September 19, 2009: Sensory Learning; Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
October 3, 2009: Transportation Rules and Regulations; TN. Dept. of Human Services: Day Care Licensing Unit; 2 Hours
November 14, 2009: Human Resources: Professional Practices for Child Care Center; Conducted by Merlyn Clemons, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; *3 Hours
December: None
January 9, 2010: Classic Childhood Music and Songs; Karol Hogan, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
February 13, 2010: Child Abuse Awareness; Keita Cooley; Education Specialist; Memphis Child Advocacy Center; 2 Hours
March 6, 2010: Nutrition; Donna Downen MS, CFCS; University of TN Extension Program; 2 Hours
April 17, 2010: Critical Thinking Skills; Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
May: None

Whitehaven Branch Library

4120 Millbranch Road
396-9700
ONLY SATURDAYS 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

September 12, 2009: Art of Storytelling; Akiba Shabazz, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; *3 Hours
October 10, 2009: Nutrition; Donna Downen MS, CFCS; University of TN Extension Program; 2 Hours
November 14, 2009: Child Abuse Awareness; Keita Cooley; Education Specialist; Memphis Child Advocacy Center; 2 Hours
December-None
January 30, 2010: Transportation Rules and Regulations; TN. Dept. of Human Services: Day Care Licensing Unit; 2 Hours
February 20, 2010: Human Resources: Professional Business Practices for Child Care Centers; Conducted by Merlyn Clemons, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; *3 Hours
March 6, 2010: Classic Childhood Music and Songs; Karol Hogan, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
April 24, 2010: Learning Styles; Conducted by Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
May-None

CRENSHAW LIBRARY

531 Vance Ave.
525-1643
ONLY SATURDAYS 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

September 12, 2009: Transportation Rules and Regulations; TN. Dept. of Human Services: Day Care Licensing Unit; 2 Hours
October 24, 2009: Child Abuse Awareness; Felicia Gladue; Memphis Child Advocacy Center: Education Outreach Coordinator; 2 Hours
November 21, 2009: Art of Storytelling; Akiba Shabazz, BA; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; *3 Hours
December: None
January 30, 2010: Nutrition; Donna Downen, MS, CFCS; University of TN Extension Program; 2 Hours
February 27, 2010: Science: Going Green!; Sandra Upchurch, MS-HRD; Chemistry Teacher; Memphis City Schools; 2 Hours
March 20, 2010: Building the Brain through Art and Games!; Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
April 3, 2010: Multicultural Literature; Inger Upchurch, M.Ed.; Memphis Public Library and Information Center; 2 Hours
May-NONE