SCLends to the rescue!!!

It has been brought to our attention that many patrons do not realize that you can access the library via the internet by using our BlogSpot account as a portal. When you go there you will see the email address as well as our online catalog. Go to www.leecountypubliclibrary.blogspot.com and on the right hand side of the blog is a link called SCLends. When you click on the link it will take you to the SCLends main catalog (16 statewide libraries!) You can browse the catalog or access your account. Once you have an account you can renew your books, change your address your e-mail or any other information we have on file.
If this is the first time you have accessed it, you will need to enter your library card and a four digit pin number. If you do not have the pin number, call the library and we can assign you one. Once you have entered the pin the main account screen appears. Click on the tab that says “Accounts Preferences” and your account information will appear. The first time you go there, click on the password field and enter your pin, then enter a password of your choice. That’s it! You are done!! (This is a good time to check that the information we have is correct.) It is hard to write up these steps in paragraph form, so if you need more help I have made a “cheat sheet” and it is available at the front desk. If you are still having a hard time, I will be offering classes on Saturdays to help you out; once you have done it a couple of times, all will become clear!
Many of our patrons do not have internet access or skills. Not to worry!! You can call or come to the library and we can search the catalog for you. You have to have your library card to place holds. But other than that there are no other requirements. Once you place a hold, a request goes to the participating library where they pull the book and send it to us. Once we get it, we scan it and an e-mail goes out to you.
Just a few random thoughts about SCLends: when you access your account to renew books, the books cannot be overdue. You will have to call to renew books that are overdue. I have asked the committee to look into this since it makes no sense to me that you can’t renew an over due, and we will probably resolve it in the future. Also, if you are wishing to place a hold on a new release book, there is a 60 day window where the home library restricts the lending. So, you can place the hold, they just won’t send it. Also, we have been pleased at the number of hold requests we get here at the library! Each week we send out 60-75 volumes that other libraries have requested – I think that speaks well of our collection; we have stuff that other people want!!

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.

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.

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.

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!!

State Library Honchos visit the Lee County Library....

The Lee County Library hosted a lovely drop-in for the Lee County Council, Bishopville City Council and the members of the 10:00 Coffee Club this morning to meet and greet some guests from the South Carolina State Library. Mr. David Goble, Director of the South Carolina State Library and Dr. Curtis Rogers, Director of Library Services came to visit our new facility along with Felicia Vareen and Shae Tetterton. Their visit corresponded nicely with the one year anniversary of our move so we thought we would have a little party. Coffee and cake was served and a fine time was had by all.

Essay Contest

The LC Librarians will be passing out posters this week to promote the Essay Contest. The Contest is being held to commemorate Flag Day on June 14th. We have moved the start date to May 7th. The theme is "What the American Flag Means to Me". Categories are broken down by grades: Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 7 and Grades 8 - 12.

New Release Shelf

What is on the New Release Shelf? Under Orders by Dick Francis is a fine mystery by an author who is a master at his craft. Mr. Francis’ mysteries always involve the British Horse Racing scene and his details are fascinating. His mysteries are always satisfying because you never really figure out the crime until the end.

Come in and check out the new release shelf. New arrivals come in daily.

But, wait there's more....................

We were pretty thrilled to be featured in The Sumter Daily Item on Monday. Then Wednesday we were knocked out when we were featured on the front page, top of the fold in the Lee County Observer.

But, wait, there's more. Tuesday the Library Journal called and they will be featuring us in the May 15th issue. The Library Ladies are going NATIONAL!! Excitement is running pretty high at the LCL!!!

Thanks to Randy Burns and Gee Atkinson for all their help and support. You are our heroes!!

And the Winner Is.................

The LC Librarians pulled off a stunning win at the SC State Library National Library Week Photo Contest.

We took top honors with First Place - Most Humorous. First Place - Overall, and Honorable Mention for Humorous.

Scroll down on the left hand side of the page and link to our Flickr account. You will see the entire set of Library 1.0 and Library 2.0 pictures as well as some great candids of library patrons using our facility.

Whoo - hooo! We are psyched!

New Pictures up on Flickr!!

Scroll down to the Flickr link on the right hand side of this page and check out the new pictures. Children, librarians and sunshine....it doesn't get much better than that!!

Take a minute and leave a comment - either here or on Flickr. We appreciate it.

Jimmy Wales

Went to the Jimmy Wales presentation last night in Spartanburg. The presentation was a joint effort of the Friends of the Spartanburg Library and Converse College. We joined a party from The South Carolina State Library and car pooled to Converse.

Mr. Wales is the founder of Wikipedia, the popular open source encyclopedia. His overall theme was "Free Knowledge for Free Minds". What a great theme for ANY library. He expounded on his vision of the future and also highlighted some of his new projects.

Thanks to the State Library for letting us ride up. Had a great time!