The Homer and Ida Jones Creativity Center

Homer & Ida Jones Creativity Center Hours & Programming

Adult Learning – Technology – Art – Job Readiness

Winter Hours:  Monday-Thursday 10:00-5:00, Friday 10:00- 4:00, Saturday & Sunday Closed.

The Homer and Ida Jones Creativity Center is a resource for adults to enhance their education, digital literacy and computer skills, creative and artistic expression, and career mobility. It features a spacious computer lab, staffed for on-demand and one-on-one assistance.

Click here for this month’s calendar for the Jones Creativity Center

Adult Learning

Adult Literacy and Adult Basic Education.

The JCC provides one-on-one assistance and resources to adults for Basic Education and Literacy. 

School Assignments, Continuing Education and Tutoring

The computer lab at the JCC is a perfect place for adults to do homework or research papers during “Open Lab Hours”.

The JCC’s computers and resources can be used to choose and enroll in a college or program.

The staff and volunteers will also assist in tutoring and additional education resources.

Need help filling out the FAFSA? ETSU’s Educational Opportunity Center meets at the JCC by appointment. Call ETSU’s EOC at 423-393-8043 to make an appointment.

GED and NEDP

The Bristol Public Library hosts Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program, offering GED classes & National Education Diploma Program.  No appointment needed; sign-up during regular class times.

Current Schedule:
GED: Mon & Wed 10:00-1:00;  Tue &Thu 1:30-4:30; Tue & Thu 5:00-8:00
For more information about Mount Rogers’ programming, contact them at 276-619-4396 or visit their website at mrraep.com. 

Digital Literacy and Computer Classes

Whether for new job skills or for self-enrichment, the JCC offers tutorials, support and classes for computers, tablets and phones. Assistance is offered during Open Lab hours and scheduled classes.

The JCC also offers interactive software learning though Northstar Digital Literacy.  It’s web-based, so once the account is created, it can be accessed from the library, home or anywhere. Current online tutorials include: Basic Computer Skills, Internet, Email, Windows, MS Word, Social Media, and Career Search Skills  Sign up at Northstar Digital Literacy
Current Inperson Classes:
MS Excel: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30
Social Media: Tuesdays 4:00-5:30

Test Proctoring

JCC offers test proctoring for schools & classes, Virginia Driving courses, TN Boat Safety Courses and more.  Fees are sometimes charged for proctoring services.
Employment Resources and Job Readiness
Resume and Cover Letters
The JCC offers advisement on creating and revising resumes and cover letters, along with handy templates to make a resume stand out to employers.
Job Search and Application Assistance
The computer lab of the JCC is perfect for conducting job searches and filling out online applications.The JCC’s staff assist in navigating through complicated applications, finding local job openings and other technology support such as uploading resumes to an employer.
Workforce Readiness Training
Having trouble landing a job? Or perhaps nervous about interviewing? The staff of the JCC can help hone your skills to get a job.
Computer and Typing Skills
Whether for new job skills or for self-enrichment, the JCC offers tutorials, support and classes for computers, tablets and phones. Assistance is offered during Open Lab hours and scheduled classes.
The JCC also offers interactive software learning though Northstar Digital Literacy.  It’s web-based, so once the account is created, it can be accessed from the library, home or anywhere. Current online tutorials include: Basic Computer Skills, Internet, Email, Windows, MS Word, Social Media, and Career Search Skills.  
Technology and Computers

3D Printing and 3D Scanning
The JCC has cutting-edge technology including  3D Printers and 3D Scanner for use by the public. Make a personalized gift, or replacement part- it can be done at the JCC!  The only charge for our 3D printing service is a material cost based on the amount of plastic used. All you need is a 3D Model to start.

Want to find a pre-made model? Try Thingiverse.com or similar user contributed collection sites.
Want to create your own? Check out Tinkercad.com as an introduction to primitive modeling.
The JCC has a 3D scanner to scan objects into a digital model, which can be used for 3D prints.
Computer, Tablet, Technology Assistance
The JCC offers assistance, training, troubleshooting and resources for computers, tablets and other devices.
Computer Classes & Training
Whether for new job skills or for self-enrichment, the JCC offers tutorials, support and classes for computers, tablets and phones. Assistance is offered during Open Lab hours and scheduled classes.
The JCC also offers interactive software learning though Northstar Digital Literacy.  It’s web-based, so once the account is created, it can be accessed from the library, home or anywhere. Current online tutorials include: Basic Computer Skills, Internet, Email, Windows, MS Word, Social Media, and Career Search Skills  Sign up at Northstar Digital Literacy
Current Inperson Classes:
MS Excel: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30

Social Media: Tuesdays 4:00-5:30

 

Assistance filling online forms
The JCC has computers available for filling out online forms such as job applications, social security, unemployment, etc.  Our helpful staff will assist navigating through complicated applications.
Email Creation and Assistance
The JCC assists with creation of email accounts, tutoring to use email, and help with attachments, or other email troubles.
Introduction to Zoom, Facebook, and Social Media
The JCC can assist setting up accounts, getting started, and other tutorials for Zoom, Facebook and other Social Media platforms.
Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe Creative Suite
The JCC computers have software such as MS Office including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Adobe Creative including Photoshop, After Effects, Acrobat, Illustrator and more.
Art

Craft & Art Clubs
The Jones Creativity Center is a perfect place for Art or Craft clubs & groups to meet. Feel free to explore the groups who meet at the JCC or start up a new club at the library.
Visit us during open lab hours or contact us for more information.

  
Watercolors by Ida Jones
The Jones Creativity Center has several of Ida Jones’s watercolors on display demonstrating her prolific and varied body of work, from alpine inspired scenes to abstract.  The pieces are on loan or have been donated by the family of Ida Jones.
Maker Space with tools and supplies
The JCC offers part of its space for individuals or groups to use the art supplies and tools for creative expression or useful projects.
To expand this goal, the JCC is always looking for donations of gently used art supplies and hand tools.
About The Homer & Ida Jones Creativity Center
History
The Jones Creativity Center, named in memory of Homer & Ida Jones, was renovated and opened in 2016. It continues the legacy of the Adult Learning Lab and Literacy Academy of Bristol begun by Patricia Freedman in 1987.  
Awards
In 1998, the JCC (then known as the Literacy Academy of Bristol) received the Jeannie P. Balliles Award in Literacy from the Virginia Literacy Foundation for most outstanding community-based literacy program in Virginia. The Center has also received the Sequoia Literacy Award.
Funding
The JCC is funded in 2020-2021 by the following agencies:
  • Allocation from the City of Bristol, TN
  • Community Development Block Grant through the City of Bristol, VA
  • Community grant from Wells Fargo Bank
  • Virginia Literacy Foundation Grant
  • TOP Grant from Tennessee State Library & Archives
  • Donations from Individuals & Patrons of BPL 
  • Community Partnership Program by Optima Health
  • Student Work Study through King University
  • Donation of 3D Printer Filament by Breathe-3DP
100% of funds received directly benefit the public and provide for programming and services provided by the JCC.

Things to note:
The computers in the JCC are reserved for educational, employment and training purposes only; the public computers located in the Reference Department are for general internet usage. Children are permitted in the JCC under limited circumstances. The entire rules of conduct can be found here: Policy_conduct_jones_creativity_center