Our annual Community Resource Day was a smashing success! Many members of the community dropped in to get information on legal services, housing assistance, transportation, health, employment, and more. We heard from several people that they received life changing help. Jessica from ECHO, the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization, tells us about a success story from her morning spent at the library:

Thank you to all of our wonderful vendors!

Palmetto Goodwill, DHEC, Red Cross, ECHO, McClenaghan Adult Ed, Lighthouse Ministries, SC Thrive, House of Hope, PDRTA, Pee Dee Mental Health Center, SC Works, SC Legal Services, FDTC, SC Dew, Hope Health, SC Department of Consumer Affairs, A Choice to Make, DSS, NAMI, Mercy Medicine, WellCare, Pinnnacle Family Services, and Girl Scouts of Eastern SC.

We can’t wait for next year!

This summer, Florence County Library System will have special summer programming for children, teens, and adults. This year’s theme is “Adventure Begins at your Library!” Keeping with the library’s mission to promote literacy in Florence County, programming is designed to educate, entertain, and inspire.

Programming will start June 10. All programs are free of charge and open to the public. Please look closely at the following schedules to find out details on how to get registered and set you and your family up for an adventurous summer!

Summer Reading 2024 for Children and Teens is made possible by the generous funding by All State Insurance: Andy Jeffords, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Duke Energy Foundation, Friends of Florence County Library, Jebaily Law Firm, Koppers, Nan Ya Plastics, Otis Elevator, Palmetto First Federal Credit Union,  Ruiz Foods, the South Carolina State Library & Institute of Museum and Library Service, State Farm: Jim Stewart and Toledo Carolina, Inc.

 CHILDREN’S SUMMER PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

TEEN SUMMER PROGRAMMING: RISING 6^TH -12^TH GRADE SCHEDULE

ADULT SUMMER PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE: AGES 18 AND UP

As a part of continuing efforts to engage young citizens of Florence, the Florence County Library will soon begin implementing the Pokémon Fan Club. This club will center on all things related to Pokémon, one of the best-selling video game franchises in the world. Activities will include learning how to play Pokémon trading cards, Pokémon Go, mainline game (i.e. Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet) tournaments, manga reading circles, trivia, crafts, and more.

This program will be geared towards rising 5^th through 12^th graders and is free of charge. Some materials such as playing card mats and crafting supplies will be provided, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own equipment. This equipment may include gaming consoles, trading cards, or mobile devices.

Beginning dates for the program are set for Friday, June 14^th and July 12^th at 10:30 a.m. in the Florence County Library Founder’s Room.

Additional dates for upcoming months include:

• Wednesday, August 14 @ 4:30 Joseph F. Stukes Meeting Room
• Wednesday, September 11 @ 4:30 Joseph F. Stukes Meeting Room
• Wednesday, October 9 @ 4:30 Joseph F. Stukes Meeting Room
• Wednesday, November 13 @ 4:30 Joseph F. Stukes Meeting Room
• Wednesday, December 11 @ 4:30 Joseph F. Stukes Meeting Room

Registration for the club will begin on May 6^th.

For more information, please contact Caleb Gainey at 843-292-7384 or cgainey@florencelibrary.org.

South Carolinians can discover SC State Parks by checking out the SC Backpacks at one of the Florence County Libraries.  Inside each backpack is a magnifying glass, binoculars, compass bracelet, first aid kit, flashlight, mirror, education cards, net, poncho, a list of book recommendations, an SC Statewide Park Passport, and a copy of the book The Official Guide to South Carolina State Parks.

The goal is to encourage South Carolinians to experience the health benefits that come from spending time outdoors, learn South Carolina History, and see what state parks have to offer.

These backpacks are provided by the SC State Library with funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Special thanks go to the SC Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

For more information, call the Greenberg Children’s Library at (843) 292-7382, or email kids@florencelibrary.org.

The Friends of the Lake City Public Library will host a Spring Book Sale beginning May 1 through May 31, 2024 at the Lake City Public Library. More than 200 donated books will be on sale, with hardbacks two for $1.00, and paperbacks 25¢ each. Information about how to become a member of the Friends group and the Library Memorial Garden will also be available during the event.

Admission is free and open to the public. The library is located at 221 East Main Street in Lake City. Hours for the book sale are Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. For more information, please call 843-394-8071.