Summer reading is o.v.e.r.......

Well, the 2014 Lee County Library’s Summer Reading program has concluded! Although it was a dark and threatening day out, we had a wonderful final program at the Lee State Park with our pal Ranger Laura. Her program: “Aquatic and Biotic Factors in Fresh Water Quality” was fascinating!! Although intimidating as that may sound it essentially means water life and how it reflects the quality of the water they live in. To that end, we pulled samples from the artesian well that feeds the ponds. By looking under the electron microscope we could identify various small and microscopic flora and fauna and by looking at their condition conclude that the water quality at the ponds is good to excellent. Yay!! Then Laura pulled out pelts and specimens of some of the wild life that lives in the park. Deer, otter, raccoon as well an assortment of snakes were all displayed and handled by the youngsters. Thanks to Ranger Laura Kirk for a great and informative program. We all learned a lot.
Next we all went to Scoops where the owner Griselda Wilson provided us with a nice lunch of hot dogs, potato chips and, of course, ice cream! She also went out of her way to offer the children cookies and assorted sweets. We were surprised and pleased when she gave out school supplies to the youngsters. Thanks to Griselda for going above and beyond our expectations!!
So this was our busiest and most exciting summer reading program. Thanks to grants from the LSTA and administered by the SC State Library we were able to bring three great programs to Lee County. The EdVenture program kicked of the season, we funded PorkChop Productions presentation and finally the Lee State program closed the season. We would like to thank all our partners for their help: The Lee County Arts Council, Clemson University Extension, Lee State Park and Scoops Ice Cream. We also must thank the parents of the participants who go out or their way to get their children to the programs. Summer Reading is fun, but more importantly it helps students keep their reading skills sharp so they are at an advantage when school starts. So, thanks to everyone and we hope we will see you next summer!
Oh, one more thing: thanks to the SC State Library who donated some children’s books to us to give to our summer readers. We had some left over so we gave them to Griselda at Scoops to hand out. If you would like a brand new children’s book _”Wild About Reading, by Judy Sierra just go to Scoops and present your library card. Viola, you will have a very nice book to add to your collection!

Book - a - Palooza

Heads up citizens.  So, you say you like books….you say you like book sales…..you say you like books that are priced to sell….well, look no further!!  On June 5^th, 6^th and 7^th the Friends of the Lee County Library will be holding a book sale at the Library Annex.  These books will be priced to sell - $.25 - $1.00 for everything.  We have a great selection of classic children’s literature, classic and newish fiction and a wide selection of non-fiction books.  The sale starts on Wednesday June 5^th at 10:00 AM and runs until Friday June 7^th at 5:00 PM.  That’s three days from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.  We will have specials on bags of books and boxes of books.  So make plans to come join us and pick up some bargains for your summer reading. 

Book Sale at the Library!!!

It’s Book – a –palooza at the Library!  We have had a huge donation of books down at the Annex, and we have NO room for them.  Therefore we will be having a HUGE book sale starting on Wednesday June 5^th to Friday June 7^th.  Make plans to come to the Library Annex and take advantage of this opportunity to stock up.  We have priced all the books to GO.  So mark your calendars now and plan to join us. 

New and improved.........

Okay, Update on 'lil 'ol Lee County Library.

I am still working on the new website. Will be up and running soon! Meanwhile, some county citizens are organizing a community event calendar and I have linked it here on our blog. (Third link on the right.)

If your local organization would like to post an event please contact me at the e-mail listed.

The main purpose of this calendar is to help organizations plan their events so that they do not overlap.

Right now, we have a limited number of administrators. If your organization would like to name an individual as administrator; giving them the authority to post contact me, Don Mathis or Retta Tindal.

Will try to be more consistent in posting, but really, I want to get the website done!!

Strong Partnerships make strong communities......

Caption: Director Dawn Ellen and Librarian Brenda Brisbon examine the register tape from Dollar General 20106

Yikes, it has been awhile since your faithful blogger has posted. Between the 2012 Summer Reading Program, new programs here at the library and new partnerships in the community there has been plenty to write about. Of course, with all the new stuff happening at the library there comes a certain restraint to the time it takes to write about everything.

But, I digress.

The one thing that happened this week that I did want to note was the great partnership we have with the Dollar General store in Sumter. Gary Fredericks the manager of Dollar General store 20106 has always stepped up and helped the library with donations and close outs at the end of the seasons. This week however, he out did himself. When Librarian Brenda stopped by the store Gary was ready for her and by the time she was done, she had a cash register receipt measuring about 30 feet. The total bill? (Wait for it.....) $36.15. Yep, about a buck a foot. The summer seasonal things she got are going to fit right in with the 2013 Summer Reading Program theme: "Dig into Reading."

We wish to thank Gary and his staff for all their support.

What happens when you take two talented actors presenting a play that has nine characters? Well that’s called the magic of theater! And magic was what we had last Friday at the Opera House when Porkchop Productions presented “Chicken Little.” We had an SRO (standing room only) crowd and the entire audience was enchanted with madcap adventures of Chicken Little. With a little help from our summer readers; the actors, Stacy and Laura, presented 10 separate characters. (We’re talking some serious costume changes here.)

Now the truth can be told: when Chicken Little arrives to see the king who should he meet? Yep, Elvis the real king!! When Laura came on stage dressed as Elvis, she brought the house down. You probably could hear the laughter on Main Street. The whole Elvis twist was the best kept secret at the library. We were dying to tell for weeks, but we held off and the surprise factor was worth it!!

We would like to thank the Friends of the Library for their continued support in bringing live theater for the summer readers. Of course special thanks to the Lee County Arts Council and the Bishopville Opera House for partnering in this and other activities. Strong partnerships build strong communities.

We have hit the half way mark of the 2012 Summer Reading Program. Because of the holiday nothing is planned for this week. Next week we will be offering a three day art class. This class is limited and you must be enrolled in summer reading AND sign up separately for the class. If you are interested, please come to the library and speak with Brenda.

SC Book Festival.....

We just received our public relations material from the SC Humanities Council promoting the 16th Annual SC BookFestival. The festival will be held on May 18th – 20th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and has grown over the years to be one of the best festivals around. On Friday there are writer’s workshops and an opening gala – all of those require a registration and a fee, but on Saturday and Sunday all the events are free. In the past I have met Dorthea Benton Frank (funny) C. J. Box (bald) Mary Alice Monroe (sweet as sugar) Pat Conroy (funny and round) and a bunch of other great national and local authors. I have volunteered for years at this event and would encourage everyone who is interested to volunteer also. It really is a great time and kind of like a mini vacation. If you need more information please stop by the library. I should have the schedule of events by Tuesday.

Bright Star Traveling Theater.......

As you can see from the rapt attention of the audience, The Bright Star Production presentation was huge success. The audience was completely caught up in the stories. Akili and Jabari presented the legends and folktales of Africa in a delightful and intriguing way!


Both the youngsters and the adults were captivated. We thank the Lee County Arts Council and the Bishopville Opera House for partnering in this event.

The 2011 Summer Reading Program begins.....

Here are some heroes from Saturdays Kick Off Gala.

Louis and Vicki Moniz. Thanks so much for your help.

Kay Farmer & South Atlantic Canners for letting us use the trailer, and helping me get it unlocked!!

The AmeriCorps volunteers. They were the hands that got the job done.

Special mention for Laresha McDaniel who was my shadow all day. Helped me save my wounded wing. Also helped Brender-boo all day long!

Thanks to all. Hope you all had a good time.
esp

Summer Reading 2011.....

So far we have in excess of 150 youngsters signed up for the 2011 Summer Reading Program. This is a substantial increase over last year and we are thrilled to be offering such a diverse program. Thursday June 16th, we will be offering a production at the Opera House presented by Bright Star Productions. . This event is open to the entire community. African Folktales is a 45-minute production that brings to life the vastness of the African landscape and a variety of clever animals. Join Akili as she shares these exciting tales that were traditionally passed down by word of mouth. With imaginative costumes and lots of audience participation, this production also includes valuable character-education themes. Celebrate world cultures, literature and the art of interactive African storytelling with the newest show in the Bright Star repertoire. The “Library Ladies” hope the entire community will come and join us for this great show. Admission, of course, is free.

New Programs for Summer Reading 2011

Caption: Example of the artwork from the SC School for the Blind at the SC State Library.

Last January Dawn and I went to the SC State Library for a meeting. While there we enjoyed an art installation that was presented by the SC School for the Blind. To say we were blown away would be an understatement. The art work presented was in collage form and it was breathtaking in depth and diversity. From that visit an idea was formed.

This year for the 2011 Summer Reading program we will be offering art classes in collage. Ms. Jess Hindeman and Dawn will be the instructors and will offer sessions for 4th 5th and 6th graders and another for 7th 8th and 9th graders. Session dates are: June 14h and 16th, June 21st and 23rd and June 28th and 30th. The students will be making collages from a variety of natural materials and the only limitation will be their imagination.

After the sessions are completed, our partners the Lee County Arts Council and the Bishopville Opera House will be presenting the art in their main gallery. We are really excited about this great venue because it will offer the entire community the opportunity to view the handiwork of our area youngsters. This is the first year that we have offered this program and we hope we will be able to offer it again and again. Special sign-up sheets are at the library.

Never was so much...

Never was so much...
Originally uploaded by Phil Bradley

Wow, I LOVE this stuff. History, vintage posters and a message. It's all good @yourlibrary!!

It's all true......

“Forget about that image of librarians as mousy bookworms. More and more of today’s librarians must be clever interrogators, helping the patron to reframe their question more usefully. Librarians then become high-tech information sleuths, helping patrons plumb the oceans of information available in books and digital records, often starting with a clever Google search but frequently going well beyond....."

Well, it's all true and here at the Lee County Library and we have FUN too!!


..Attributiom: quote from US News and World Report....

It's a steal......

Well, not really a steal. The Librarians are weeding out our Juvenile Fiction shelves and we will be selling our books for $1.00 a volume. If you have youngsters who are into chapter books, this is a great opportunity to increase their library without breaking you wallet.

Come down to the Library and check out the selection. There's always something going on @ your library!!

From today's "Item" in Sumter SC

BISHOPVILLE - Thanks to a grant from the federal institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library, the Lee County Public Library will be able to add technology and educational services to its after-school and summer youth programs.
"We are so excited," said Librarian Elizabeth Snyder-Powell. "We just never expected that our grant proposal could win out against the larger libraries in the state. What a great endorsement for Lee County and the Lee County Public Library!"
The $23,300 grant is designed to strengthen library's education related services for children and teens, she said.
Snyder Powell said the grant will provide additional computers and software.
Items included in the budget proposal are 10 laptop computers, two wireless portable routers, salaries for after-school tutors and field trip expenses for the summer reading program.
The after-school program is expected to begin soon, and will take place at the library annex on Nettles Street, Snyder-Powell said.
"We hope to recruit some top academic students to serve as tutors for the after-school program," she said. "They will be able to help other students with their homework."
Snyder-Powell said field trips are a very important part of the summer reading program, and the inclusion of the field trip in the grant proposal satisfied the requirement of having a cultural component.
"We are also very pleased to be able to add a field trip to our summer reading program," she said. "We didn't have a field trip last year. We think this will serve to create greater interest in the program."
According to the Institute's website, "The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development."


BYLINE: Randall T Burns, Special to "The Item"

More Christmas cheer.........

Special thanks to our friends at the Lee County Farm Bureau Woman's Committee. Pictured are Laura Haddon and Mary Adele Tomlinson putting touches to the Agricultural Tree they put up in the library foyer.

The tree features peanuts, soybeans, corn and (of course) cotton. Come down to the library and check it out - as well as a great selection of cookbooks and decorating books for the holidays!

It was a chilly morning......

frost
Originally uploaded by pollyalida

It started out to be a beautiful winter day. It was crisp, clear and cold with a hint of frost on the fields. Who knew that it was going to turn into a red letter day?

On Wednesday last, when I got to work, I thought that the rest of the gang was acting strangely. After I had put my stuff away my director, Dawn Ellen, handed me a big envelope from the SC State Library. Ordinarily large envelopes from the state library are not a good thing so I opened it gingerly. The cover letter started:

“Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that your application for a grant of Library Services and Technology Act funds has been approved.”

What happened next involved shouting, leaping, dancing and some tears. The entire staff spent the rest of the day on cloud nine. We just never expected that our grant proposal could win out against the larger libraries in the state. What a great endorsement for Lee County and the Lee County Library.

Now we have to get busy and design the programs that this grant will fund. We will be featuring a lot of new programs for children and teens emphasizing education and cultural events. We can’t wait to get started so pay close attention to this weekly column and the blog to keep informed as we roll out the new programs.

Christmas Has Arrived @ the library.....

Everyone who knows our Director, Dawn Ellen, knows her decorating acumen!! It really shows during the holiday season. Make it a point to come down to the library and get some holiday spirit!!

We also have a huge selection of cookbooks, decorating books and lots of holiday magazines.

Bring you little ones, so they can be dazzled with our decorations and check out their own holiday books!

Check out the rest of the pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leecountypubliclibrary/

Happy Thanksgiving all........

**Photo Caption: Ms. Carol-Anne Anderson and her son Joseph, age 7, enjoy a moment in the library reading area.**


The Library Ladies would like to wish the entire community a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. The library will be closed on Thursday November 25th and Friday November 26th. We will reopen on Saturday November 27th.

It's more than books @ your library.....

The library has several resources for resume building. Using the Kuder Personal Pathways software available to us we can build a resume, do a cover letter and search for jobs all at one website. Oh yeah, best part….it’s FREE!!

This website is quite a bit more than just resume writing. With Kuder, you can follow a self-guided, step-by-step process to plan your next career move. It starts simply by learning about yourself– specifically what you like doing (interests), what you are good at (skills), and what is important to you in a work environment (values).

With our comprehensive, user-friendly, and Internet-based solution, you can explore new career directions, plan for future education, seek current job opportunities, and even apply for financial aid. All of the information is uniquely tailored to your needs based on how you register with the system and identify your occupational background and employment situation.

This service is available for free. However, an appointment must be made to use this service. That is because of the intensive nature of the on line assessment procedure. Appointments can be made by calling Elizabeth at 803-484-5921 Tuesday through Saturday. Please allow a least one hour for the needs assessment. If you need a resume built allow more time.