Rural Library Continues to Make Huge Impact on Community

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Rural Library Continues to Make Huge Impact on Community

It is no secret that libraries often serve as the community centers for small towns and larger cities. Our St. Stephen Library has been working hard to engage residents of all ages through creative

Members of the St. Stephen Magistrate Court

programming and strategic outreach. We are excited that their hard work is paying off and getting noticed. Members of the St. Stephen Magistrate Court, which shares a building with the St. Stephen Library, comment, “We see the impact that the library has on our community every day. Lately, the library has been bringing in teens by the droves, and often in the mornings, there are people waiting by the door for the library to open. Judge Whaley (middle) says: Tina’s name is well known at St. Stephen Middle School because her niece often speaks of her and hears other kids speaking well of her.

The library has been great about sharing the multipurpose room and many of our customers use library facilities and resources before or after court. I love the cooperation and collaboration that we have with the library. Tina is an awesome partner – warm and inviting,

“Downton Abbey Style” High Tea program draws 26 people

and I doubt that our partnership would work without her. Earl (far right) says: The level of community involvement and outreach from the library is outstanding – I have eaten things there that I never thought I would eat, and the library is responsible for exposing me and the community to new and different things.”

 

The St. Stephen Library has been offering fun and educational programs every week attracting dozens of loyal attendees who cannot stop raving about what is coming next. Last month the library hosted a “Downton Abbey Style” High Tea drawing over 25 ladies and 1 lord who were able to sample different teas and delicacies commonly found in British high tea and participated in a Downton Abbey game of trivia. One attendee remarked that she believed that this was the closest she would ever get to England.  Mr. Hill from the Magistrate’s said that from now on, he wished to be addressed as “Lord Walter,” which is how his nameplate read.  He took both the nameplate and the menu home and framed it.

 

“They Make Sure We’re Involved” One Customer Explains Why She Now Comes to the Library More

Library customer Katisha White is now coming into the library more for programs with her 12 yr old son.

The Library has attracted new customers and re-engaged casual library users to increase their library usage. Here how one customer explains why she is a super fan of the library now and has everyone asking her about it. “Hello, my name is Katisha White and I am a resident of Pineville.  I have a 12-year-old son that I have always brought to the library from time to time.  Lately, though, I find that we are coming to the St. Stephen Library more often throughout the week and month.  There is always something interesting going on here, and they do fun family events and craft making – I learn a lot by being a regular library visitor.  I love the staff here; they are so loving and fun, especially Ms. Tina.  They’re like family to me and my son, giving me life lessons, recipes, and great advice to live by.  Our friends and family are almost concerned that we come here so much, asking: “Hey, what exactly is going on at that library anyway?  Why are you there so much?”  We are even on the reminder list so that whenever there is something happening, they make sure we’re involved.  St. Stephen Library is a cool, interesting library: I love everything about it, and I can’t wait for the future activities they have planned.”

Previous articles about St. Stephen Library: 

 

BCLS Adds New Items and Services

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Friends of the Library Plan for a Big 2018 – Form New Committees

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The Friends host community book sales to help raise funds for the libraries. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of being a Friend with a special sneak peek for Friend’s members.

Join the Friends of the Library and Make a Difference in Your Community! 

As Berkeley County and the Berkeley County Library System continue to grow, it is even more important for the Friends of the Library to grow with them. With this in mind, the Friends of the Library are working hard to plan more events, fundraisers, and special projects to help support the 6 BCLS libraries, mobile library, and the forthcoming new Cane Bay Library, which is expected to open in Fall of this year. We have established new committees and committee chairs to allow members to focus their talents and time on an area that means a lot to them.

Why join the Friends?

The Friends of Berkeley County Library System is an incorporated non-profit organization of volunteers. We promote, enhance, and support the Berkeley County Library System to bring all the exciting, involving, inspiring programs our county’s residents both need…and deserve.

Support from our members and other generous donors has enabled BCLS to offer special programs that have a huge impact on our community.  While public funding supports basic library operations, support from the Friends allows the library to do more for their customers.  It’s what makes the difference between a good library and a great library.

Money is raised through membership fees, donations, Friends’ book sale shelves at each library, and special fundraising events. Funds from the Friends help support programs and initiatives for children, teens, and adults including the Summer Reading Program for all 6 BCLS library branches and the mobile library.

The Friends of the Berkeley County Library, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization.

How can you be a Friend?

The Friends support and help fund the Summer Reading Program every year which includes paying for special programs like a Magic Show and Theatre Group, providing medals and t-shirts for children who complete the program and funding the grand prizes for special winners such as a reading tablet.

Whether through a monetary donation or a gift of time and talent, you can make a difference. Our memberships begin as low as $10/year starting in the month you join.

Membership Benefits Include:

  • Because we are a 501(c)3 organization, your membership and/or donation is tax deductible.
  • Entry to Book Sale preview events and “first choice” for workers.
  • Discounted tickets to select FRIENDS fundraisers.
  • Invitation to attend Friend’s Annual Meeting and Local Author Meet & Greet.

Ways to help: 

Become a friend! If you are not a member or you need to renew your membership. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends or encouraging others to join. There are membership envelopes available at the all BCLS library branches; you can also join through PayPal online on our website.

Volunteer at an event or fundraiser! Check our website, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Ward at foblcs@gmail.com, to see what events are coming up and how you can help.

Join a committee! You can make a higher impact by serving on a committee. Here is a list of our committees and the committee chair contacts. If you would like to join a committee or request more information, you can email the committee chair directly.

Make a monetary donation! Whether you are a member of the Friends or not, your donation is greatly appreciated. Donations to the Friends of the Berkeley County Library are fully tax-deductible. You can make a monetary donation:

  • Online with a credit card by clicking the donate button on this page.
  • By placing a donation check in a Friend’s envelope at one of the library branches (drop envelope in the book sales payment box).
  • Or by printing a Friends of BCLS_Monetary Donation Form and mailing it with a check to the Friends of the Berkeley County Library System, 100 Library Street Moncks Corner, SC 29461.
 

It feels so good to be a Friend!

As a member of the Friends of the Library, you will be rewarded in a thousand ways every year – with hundreds of children’s smiles as they receive their Summer Reading t-shirt and medals, the sincere appreciation from library staff for your support, and the satisfaction of knowing you make a difference to one of Berkeley County’s most important resources.

Join Today & Make a Difference!

Free Jazz Concert at the Moncks Corner Library with Local Vocalist Alterea Baxter and Friends

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Join vocalist Alterea Baxter and friends for a special performance with the Berkeley County Library System. They will be singing classical R&B, Jazz, and Soul.

Assembly Room of the Berkeley County Administration Building (next to the Moncks Corner Library)
Saturday, March 17th, 4 – 5 pm

About Alterea:

Vocalist Alterea Baxter, of Charleston, SC, has been capturing her audience for thirty-five years. Alterea’s appeared on Lowcountry Live as a guest performer with JBS R&B Duo. Alterea can be seen performing with various local bands such as True Concept Reggae Band where they participated in “Save More Kids” Annual Galla 2016. Alterea can be seen performing as “Vocalist & Friends” consisting of Sherylyn (Dee Dee) Johnson, Ernest Brown & Terrence Bryant.

Alterea has also been a guest performer for Fall Reggae Feast 2016 at Music Farm in Charleston, SC.

Alterea has performed from North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina, Savannah Georgia, Atlanta Georgia to Panama City Florida, opening for such guests as, Bobby Blue Bland, Roy C, Eddie Cornelius, and Drifters. Alterea comes from a musical background of local musicians within her family.

She enjoys singing Jazz, R&B, Reggae, and Blues as well as Country. Alterea has been groomed in her vocal abilities by the late Mrs. June Bonner of the Dock Street Theater in Charleston, SC. Alterea has put her vocal style to use with various musical leaders such as Joey Morant, Howard Brown, Oscar Rivers and various artist in the Low Country. You can see her at many local venues in Charleston as well as Little Italy Restaurant in Savannah Georgia, My place/Gulla Quezin, sharing her passion for music with others as well as promoting events with her manager. Terrence Bryant of TNT Entertainment.

See more about Alterea, follow her on Facebook. 

[bio provided by artist]

Best Books of 2017

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