Library News

A vintage newspaper classified ad solicits talent for a Knoxville, TN, recording company

Knoxville Gospel Quartet Preserved on Rare Record

TAMIS recently obtained a copy of the first record released by a Knoxville label, which also may have been one of its last.

In Search of Fort Sanders

In memory of Dr. Charles H. "Charlie" Faulkner, October 16, 1937–July 21, 2022

Knox County Takes Top Spot as Best-Read Area in Tennessee

Knox County takes the number one spot in Tennessee and ranks high as one of the country’s best-read cities (53 out of 200), according to an education website,

Sepia portrait of a man in a US Army uniform. The man's name is hand-written below his portrait "Will A. McTeer"

Will A. McTeer & A. S. Tilden Family Papers

The McClung Historical Collection’s newly processed McTeer-Tilden Personal Papers sheds light on a prominent early Blount County family, the McTeers.

Library Seeks Marketing Intern

Knox County Public Library and its subsidiaries (i.e, East Tennessee History Center, Dolly Parton's Imagination of Knox County) are seeking an intern to help analyze best practices for program and service promotion with a focus on appropriate platforms and subject-level account creation, search e

Black-and-white image of the exterior of a shop with a sign "The MIdget Shoe Shop" above the door. The sign is partially obscured by a lamp post. A 1920s automobile is parked on the street in front of the shop.

Midget Family Papers

The Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection's newly processed Midget Family Papers is a treasure trove of Knoxville and disability history. It tells the story of a Tennessee family who found success through entrepreneurship, hard work, and perseverance.

A Historical Recreation of the Founding of Knox County, June 11, 1792, oil on canvas by William Rawson, 1992

June 11, 1792: The Founding of Knox County and Jefferson County, Tennessee

In 1792, the federal government’s western lands that eventually became Tennessee, especially the area around and beyond Knoxville, sat on the far edge of the frontier.

TAMIS's preservation efforts featured on WATE-TV6

For her "Positively Tennessee" news segment, WATE-TV6's Lori Tucker recently interviewed Audiovisual Archivist John Morton about the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound's on-going preservation efforts.

1982 World's Fair materials added to McClung's digital collection

To mark the 40th Anniversary of the Knoxville International Energy Exposition–Energy Expo 82 (commonly called the 1982 World's Fair), more than 1,000 images from the international event have been scanned and added to the Calvin M. McClung Digital Collection. In time, additional items will be added as the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection is the official repository of the Knoxville International Energy Exposition. It also houses a number of unique, personal collections of photographs and memorabilia from "when the world came to Knoxville."

Memories of the War by Samuel Bell Palmer

U. S. Civil War sketches by Samuel Bell Palmer (1843-1872) added to McClung's digital collection

United States Civil War sketches made by Knoxville-native Samuel Bell Palmer (1843-1872) are now available for viewing on the Calvin M. McClung Digital Collection.

Census enumerator visiting a Virginia household during the 1950 Census

1950 Census made available for research

The 1950 Census meets its 72-year withholding threshold today, April 1, 2022, and is set to be released to the public, not only advancing the most recent census records available by a decade but also providing historical data for the start of what would become the Baby Boomer generation.

screen capture of library website home page

New website improves access to Library services and resources

Knoxville, Tenn | March 17, 2022 -- Knox County Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. Featuring a more intuitive design that better integrates online services, library patrons will now be able to manage their books, music, and downloads all in one place.