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!!

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.

Pork Chop Productions......

Last Thursday's production of "The Musicians of Bremen Town" was such a huge success that we have decided to asked these two talented actresses to return. Back by popular demand!!

The ladies will be staging "Sleeping Beauty" at the Bishopville Opera House on Thursday August 11th at 1:30PM. We can't wait!

Following are some snaps from last weeks production.

We thank our partners at the Lee County Arts Council and The Bishopville Opera House. The 2011 Lee County Summer Reading program is partially funded by a grant from the SC State Library and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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.

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!!

Wow.......

I found this image at the British Library = too cool and timely!

**Attribution: Phil Bradley's Weblog

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"

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.

Annual Food 4 Fines Program.....

Make it a point to come to the library and participate in this worth while program.

Whoops

Well faithful blog heads - it's been quite awhile since I posted. "Whats up?" you may be asking. Well, boys and girls, your fellow blog head has had an extreme case of writers block or writers cramp. All that means is, sometimes overwhelmed with options, it is hard to choose what to write about.

We had such a great wrap up of our summer reading program that I had too many pictures, too many ideas and too much "stuff" that I couldn't choose or prioritize. Well, I cannot promise that the quality of writing will be great, but the flood gates have opened so be prepared. The next few posts will be coming at you pretty quickly!

Thanks for your patience, and keep reading - feedback is ALWAYS welcome.

happy 2008 to everyone...........

Now that the Holidays have come and gone it’s a good time to clean up around the Library. So, once again, the Library is having the annual “give away the magazines” week!! Into home improvement? “The Family Handyman” is a great magazine that gives you complete project plans and material lists. All you have to provide is the labor. Want to hang out with Rachel, Oprah or Martha? We’ve got them all as well as just about every home decorating book available.

What, MORE Publicity??!!

We had a great call from SC-ETV today. They want to include us on their "Road Show" segment of "Your Day." "Your Day" is an hourlong radio program produced by Clemson University; it airs daily at noon. it's a wonderful state wide information program with some neat personalities. "The Bug Guys" "The Vet Guys" and Walter Edgar every Friday are just a few of MY favorites.

Thanks SC-ETV - we can't wait!!!!!

Mor details will follow as the date approaches. Whooo-hooo!

More publicity

We had a great conversation this morning with Susan Trautsch, live, during her morning radio program. Susan and Beth Hedagor called us and asked us to tell them the details of our upcoming performance of "The Nutcracker" We were happy to comply. "The Nutcracker" is going to be a great show. Through our partnership with the Lee County Arts Council, we are able to bring this to the community free of charge. There will be one matinee performance at 3:00PM on Sunday December 16th at the Bishopville Opera House.

We hope to see all our friends at this performance.

It keeps getting better and better.........

What a suprising Monday morning we had here at the 'ol Lee County Library. Director Dawn called your faithful blogette this morning and told me that WIS TV10 was coming in to do a feature on us. Whoo-hooo! Channel 10 is probably one of the most watched stations in the state, so we are talking MAJOR coverage here. Special thanks to Trey Paul, reporter and videographer for remembering us. We met Trey acouple of weeks ago when he was in town for another story. Again, we dragged him off the street and he was so impressed he came back!!! Yea for us, yea for WIS. Thanks Trey

Whoo - hooo free publicity......

Well blog buddies, the Lee County Library has gone national, international and now we are REGIONAL!!!! Mr. Mola Lenghi, reporter for News Channel 15. WPDE, came in today and taped a segment for the 6:00PM newscast here at our library. What a treat!! We were all sooo excited. Thanks to Mola for remembering us. We met him on Main Street doing another story awhile ago and brought (dragged) him in to the Library. He Promised he would do a feature on us and he DID! Thanks Mola.

Annual Contest is back...............

We are having our annual “Guess the Candy in the Jar” contest. Children under the age of 13 who check out three books become eligible to guess how many candy corns are in the jar. This is a very popular little contest we have and everyone loves it.

"Ask a Librarian" feature in process.....

How about having the ability to contact the Library from your home computer? Does that sound like a good idea? Well, we thought it did! In the near future we will be initiating the new “Ask a Librarian” feature to the website. Several of the larger libraries in the state have this feature as well as the State Library. I have used the State Library’s “Ask a Librarian” section several times and it really is easy, cool and very, very helpful. We are working our best to get our own section up and running shortly.

August at the Library

During the dog days of August the Librarians get a chance to regroup, rethink and reevaluate the programs and services offered at the Lee County Public Library. It’s going to be hard to achieve the success of the Summer Reading Program but we are pretty sure that we can.

So far, the “Food for Fines” program has been very well received. We will have a nice selection of non-perishable food items to donate to the food bank. This program is limited to the month of August. So take advantage of this opportunity and bring back our books! This offer does not apply to outstanding fines prior to August 1