The Gatlinburg library is a popular place for many people that are visiting, or living, in the area. The Anna Porter house was the first location for the Gatlinburg library and it was first built in 1972. This library was not designed for the technological advances of today and there is little parking available so a new building is greatly needed.

The new Anna Porter Public Library is located next to the recreation center and the Gatlinburg Boys and Girls Club and the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. Not only is there an ample amount of parking but the new library has 21 computer stations, special places for children, teenagers, adults and there is also a wonderful Smoky Mountains Collection area with important documents that tell you about the Gatlinburg history. The history of Gatlinburg does include a story of a widow in her 60’s and opened her home to the children in Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Come out on Thursday, September 11, 2008 and purchase a ticket for the Library Luau to help celebrate her life and legacy and build the new Anna Porter Library. The Library Luau is going to take place at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies at 5:30 pm. This celebration is island themed and is to help raise money to complete the building needs of the new 8,000 square foot library. Buy a ticket and do not worry about needing money for anything else because the ticket price includes delicious seafood, hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, lots of live music, tons of door prizes (like a WII Game Console with the WII Fit package). Drag out your casual island wear or grass skirts and be welcomed with a flower filled lei as you come out to the luau at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Go ahead and start making plans to come to a luau in downtown Gatlinburg at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and enjoy this fundraising event.