Local Radar

Paid for by the Joan Herlong for Probate Judge Committee

Change your world at your Library!

web posted March 27, 2006

COUNTY – Since 1958, National Library Week has celebrated libraries’ place in American society. This year, April 2-8 has been designated as National Library Week and the Edgefield County Library wants you to get involved! The library plays a vital role in connecting people with the resources they need to live, learn and work in the 21st Century. The library is part of the American dream. It is a place for education and self-help. Because it offers free access to all, it brings opportunity to all.

Edgefield County is very fortunate to have three public library locations throughout the county, each branch keeping very busy. Last year, the three branches combined had over 37,000 items checked out. Also, each branch has computers available for the public to use. The Edgefield branch (637-4025) is located on Courthouse Square and is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Johnston branch (275-5157) is located on Calhoun Street and is open Mondays from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Trenton branch (275-2538) is located on Watson Road and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Many exciting things are happening in our local libraries. In the Edgefield branch, renowned author Karen Gillespie was onsite last month for a book reading. During the past year, events for young adults have centered around the release of new books in the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket series, in addition to activities relating to the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tuesday mornings at 10:30 are preschool story times, but these will end on April 25 in preparation of the summer reading program. Each weekday during National Library Week, a movie will be shown at the Edgefield branch.

As wonderful as our libraries are, they are dependent on state and local funding to exist. As the cost of materials and other expenses increase, funding doesn’t always increase at the same rate. With this in mind, a group has reformed in Edgefield to assist the library with some of its goals. The Friends of the Edgefield Library has been meeting for about 4 months and is working to increase awareness of the library and its needs. Some of the immediate needs for the Edgefield Branch are a security system and automatic doors. “Sometimes elderly and young visitors to the library can hardly get our door open – it is so heavy. We certainly don’t want to lose library patrons because accessibility is a problem,” said Anu Acharekar, librarian of the Edgefield branch.

There are currently 12 members of the “Friends” group and a membership drive has been started. There are different levels of membership and all money raised will go toward improvements at the Edgefield branch. Candi Lalonde is a “Friends” member and said “I enjoy checking out books and movies for myself and my family, so I was happy to join the Friends group. I see it as my chance to give back something to the library”. In many areas, “Friends” groups have been very successful in assisting local libraries in reaching their goals. The Friends of the Johnston library group was instrumental in making the Johnston library a success, so the Edgefield group is hoping to be able to replicate their success. Membership applications are available at the Edgefield Library or from any “Friends” member.

Hopefully, the National Library Week will bring the benefits and needs of our libraries front and center. This is the perfect time to celebrate the contributions of our libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. So, if you haven’t paid a visit to your local library lately, stop by one of the branches and see what you’ve been missing!

 

Paid by: Durham for Mayor

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Heritage Jubilee 2006
Volunteers may contact Chairperson Joel Jolly. Phone: 803-637-9971
or Email here