Friday, February 27, 2009

Behind the Desk.....


Behind the Desk.....
Originally uploaded by leecolibrary
Shemeka Wright, and the official "First Library Grandbaby", Jaidyn Wright came in to see us today. Shemeka is Librarian Brenda's daughter.

She has just returned from Georgia where she completed the grueling Officers Training School for the US Army. No small accomplishment!!!

Congrats to Meka on her graduation - you can bring Jaidyn to visit us any time. We all had a great time today!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Social Networking Conference

Check this out from our own guru - Dr. Curtis Rogers. Very cool.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

hands free texting


New technology is helping people to get around those “no-texting-while-driving” laws.

Here comes Saytype.com’s voice-to-text system. See what you think at http://saytype.com.

Read more of the article at http://www.resourceshelf.com/2009/01/13/hands-free-texting/

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Doring more with less.....

Another example of how the LCPL does more with less. We made new library card using existing business cards. Mike Bedenbaugh of the Bishopville Fire Department kindly donated the laminated pouches.

New card cost: $0.00

Old card cost: $0.49

Pretty good savings for a little effort!!

news from the Library...........


Forget myspace it's become the ghetto of the Internet. Using facebook - OK - but for the best of the web, try "Twitter."

Instant blogging in 140 characters or less. Gets you to say what you need without superfluous verbiage. Also the best links for almost instantaneous news.

Found this little nugget. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/be9d3q

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Just another day at the library.....

It's what we do!!!! Heavy duty homework help this time of year and at this time of day.

Also - this just in from the ALA - "Kids @ the Library Program."


Top 10 Things for Kids to Do @ The Library



10. Find the great new books that other kids are reading

9. Curl up with your favorite magazine or book

8. Discover places you’ve never heard about on maps and globes, and in encyclopedias

7. Find music and books on CD, and DVD movies to take home

6. Be with your friends after school in a fun place

5. Take home a work of art that you make at an art workshop

4. Learn more about your favorite baseball player, artist, or animal

3. Do research for school and get help with your homework

2. Listen to storytellers, and authors and illustrators reading their books

1. Become a better reader by reading to a dog, joining the summer reading program or a book club, and asking the librarian for help finding a book by your favorite author or the next book in your favorite series

Monday, February 16, 2009

Another Day at the Library....

Melody Dickey Perkins reads to her son, Steven Dickey, age 6 in the front windows of the library.

Nice way to spend an afternoon!!

SC Book Festival

The 13th annual SC Book Festival will be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC on February 27–28, & March 1,2009. On Friday, February 27th, the festival will feature workshops at various locations around Columbia during the day. These workshops have a charge attached to them. If you are interested in attending call the Library for the fees. On Saturday and Sunday of the festival all events are free. The weekend activities feature award-winning authors discussing their works and other interesting literary topics. The Exhibit Hall will be filled with authors autographing books. Over 100 exhibitors set up their booth spaces where you can shop all weekend long for that special literary treat. All events are open and free to the public, no appointment, registration or reservation required.

This year’s featured authors are Ernest F. “Fritz” Hollings, Mary Alice Monroe, Scott Turow and many, many more. Call the library, or check the Book Festival web page for more details.
www.scbookfestival.org. Of course, the Lee County Library is again partnering with the Book Festival by providing volunteer services. We hope to see you there!!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

PLAD (Public Library Appreciation Day).....



The LCPL was happy to participate at the Public Library Appreciation Day held at the SC State House on Wednesday February 11th. This event gives the state public libraries the opportunity to meet with legislators and impress on them the importance of libraries to their constituents. We have written before how important YOUR library, the LCPL, is to Lee County. We offer unlimited service to our patrons in the form of resume help, job placement, hands on computer training and full research/reference service. We have noticed an marked increase in our resume and job search inquiries and we are always happy to help our patrons. It is important for the public and the legislature to be aware of these services. Cutbacks to FREE public services during a time of economic hardship does not seem reasonable. If you or your friends or family have made use of the Library and our services, we urge you to contact your legislator and let your feelings be known.

The LCPL would like to thank Representative Grady Brown (D-50th) for his past support. At the meeting in Columbia, he personally assured me of his future support. One of the great things about living in Lee County is accessibility we have to our Representative. Grady freely gives of his time, and for our part, we truly appreciate him!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

SC State House Back

We went to the South Carolina State House yesterday, February 11th, to remind our legislators of the huge value the South Carolina Public Libraries represent for their constituents.

The Boston Globe has called public libraries the "Recession Sanctuary" during these difficult economic times.

Support YOUR local library, and let your leaders know the value you place on it with your vocal support.


Photo attribution: Dr. Curtis Rogers -

Bayler is BETTER!!!!

We are happy to report that young Bayler Teal has finished his testing and there is no sign of cancer left.

We are so happy for the Teal family. Our prayers and thoughts remain with them.

Monday, February 9, 2009

This falls under the heading of: "I can't MAKE this stuff up!!"....



. I heard this on the radio – I, of course had to check it out. It seems that Jane Austen’s masterwork “Pride and Prejudice” read (or in my case slogged through) by millions of students as required reading is no longer good enough. How could you improve on the classic love story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? Well, by the introduction of zombies of course!!!

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” features the original text of Jane Austen's beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Complete with 20 illustrations in the style of C. E. Brock (the original illustrator of Pride and Prejudice), this insanely funny expanded edition will introduce Jane Austen's classic novel to new legions of fans.

I can’t improve on this – really – I am just upset that I didn’t think of it first.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Whoops......

I'm a little behind the ball here. Amendment was defeated last night at 9:30. Yea - for our side!!!

Pay Attention everyone'............

Amendment to cut libraries out of broadband package in Senate stimulus bill

Calls to ALL Senators are needed IMMEDIATELY to protect $200 million for libraries, community computing centers and related institutions in the original language of the Senate stimulus bill, H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The American Library Association has just been advised that Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are expected to introduce Senate Amendment 501 which would strip funding for libraries and broadband to put additional funding in FDIC. If introduced, the vote could take place this afternoon.

The message is: keep the $200 million for libraries and broadband in H.R. 1 - defeat amendment 501. Libraries provide information on jobs, employment skills, and all other types of job-seeking information. More people are using libraries during these difficult times and the demand for broadband is greater than ever.

Attribution: New York State Data Center Affiliate.

I have already written Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to strongly protest this amendment.

I urge everyone to do the same. This is not a political blog, but I feel pretty strongly about this.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

50 years later, the day the music died.

Our pal, Randy Burns, led an animated discussion on who DIDN'T die when Buddy Holly's plane crashed 50 years ago.

Just another example of why this ISN'T your daddy's library!!

Monday, February 2, 2009

just because I like it.......


Apple tree's bird
Originally uploaded by photophilde
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Emily Dickinson

Our Pal Zack


Our Pal Zack
Originally uploaded by leecolibrary
The entire staff of the Lee County Library would like to congratulate Mr. Zack Medlin on the occasion of being named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Lee County Chamber of Commerce during the annual Lee County Chamber Banquet on January 28th. Zack is a very special “Friend of the Library.” Frequently, when he visits the Library, Zack will be roped into performing little odd jobs like hanging pictures or helping put together stuff.

I personally have asked Zack to help in a variety of community activities…. Cotton Festival…. Pilot Memory Tree…. Opera House performances. Zack has always helped me and brings with him not only a great deal of expertise, but a willing, cheerful nature that adds zest to any project. Thanks Zack for all you do – we appreciate it.