It’s a new era for public libraries in Martin County.

Though printed volumes remain the focal point, the Martin County Public Library at the Collier Center offers much more: computer labs, conference rooms, event spaces, hands-on experiences and a fun zone for children. In addition to stunning reading rooms, the library at the Collier Center has four cinemas, a gymnasium, an indoor walking track and much more.

Free Mystery Movies continue Friday at the Collier Center with showtimes at 7 p.m. PG-13-rated Sci-Fi, and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. PG-rated animation/family, R-rated comedy and R-rated action.

In Lovely, the Rufus Reed Branch Library aims to become a neighborhood gathering place.

Rufus Reed Book Club is welcoming new members and will meet at noon April 20. Call 606-395-6500 and ask for Debbie or come out to the meeting. The selected book will be “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham.

Rufus Reed is also calling all crafters to join the Craft Club at 1:30 p.m. April 20.

As an added community perk, King’s Daughters Medical Center Mobile Health Unit will be doing free healthy heart screenings May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Collier Center. The screenings will identify things that may affect your heart’s well-being, like total cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood pressure. KDMC will also measure your blood oxygen concentration and perform an EKG that could help identify heart rhythm issues. To schedule your appointment, please call Tracy Woods at 606-408-9304.

If you didn’t make it to the first Pages & Popcorn Book to Movie Club meeting last week, stop by the front desk in Inez and ask for the movie club book. This month’s book is “Eat Pray Love.” We will watch the movie at our next meeting May 5 at 4:30 p.m. We hope to see you.

Let us help prepare your preschooler for the next chapter. Storytimes at the Collier Center and Rufus Reed Branch feature a new theme each week and incorporate stories, songs, dance, crafts, play, and light refreshments for children ages birth to 5 years. Librarians emphasize early literacy and help nurture your child’s love of books and reading. Preschool Storytime is each Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Collier Center and Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Rufus Reed Branch.

Tabletop RPG Game Night is now every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Collier Center. The goal of Tabletop RPG is to teach and play Tabletop Roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder and Starfinder. The club is open to anyone. Make plans to join and bring a friend.

Hunt-A-Killer Murder Mystery Club meets on the last Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Collier Center. Help solve a cold case. Sort through evidence and piece together clues.

The library offers several convenient free services.

If you have a club or organization that meets up in person, you can conduct your meeting, small or large, in a meeting room at the Collier Center free of charge. Rooms are available during regular operating hours and meet general informational, educational, cultural and civic needs, including discussion groups, panels, lectures, conferences, seminars, exhibits, displays, storytimes, puppet shows and films.

The library offers access to online databases such as ChiltonLibrary, Kentucky Libraries Unbound (OverDrive), Legal Forms – KY, and Price It! Antiques & Collectibles.

Cypress Resume lets patrons effortlessly create professional resumes in minutes.

Kentucky Libraries Unbound lets you search and download media on your PC and portable devices. Patrons have unlimited access to many types of downloadable media such as audiobooks, e-books, music and videos. All it takes to access Kentucky Libraries Unbound is a valid library card and pin.

TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of TumbleBooks — animated, talking picture books that teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books to produce an electronic picture book.

With download media available 24/7, your library is always open. All EPUB and many PDF eBooks are ready to enjoy on the Sony® Reader and other devices such as the Barnes & Noble nook™.

FREE GED classes are available at the Martin County Adult Learning Center located in the Collier Center. Online classes are also available. Visit the adult learning center in Room 220 or call 606-298-0207 for more information.

Call 606-298-7766 for more information about your library.

The children at Preschool Story Time at the Martin County Public Library at the Collier Center had an Easter Egg Hunting good time Tuesday. They learned letters of the week, read books, made crafts and then hunted Easter Eggs in the Kid’s Room. Afterwards they played together in the Fun Zone. (MCPL photo)