A story sure to tug at your heartstrings and fill the room with laughter is set to take the stage at the library! Grey Seal Puppets will continue the library’s Summer Reading Program by performing Tangle of Tales, a blend of three favorite folk tales from around the world. Grey Seal Puppets is a prolific children’s puppetry company, recognized with accolades such as three UNIMA-USA Citations of Excellence, the President’s Award from the Puppeteers of America, and the NC Theatre Conference Award for Leadership in Theatre.

Performances by Grey Seal Puppets will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Joseph Stukes Meeting Room. The program is free and open to the public.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to call the Children’s Library at (843) 292-7382 today to secure their seats.

For more details on the 2025 Summer Reading Program, visit florencelibrary.org or contact the Greenberg Children’s Library at kids@florencelibrary.org.

Special thanks to the generous support of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Friends of Florence County Library, Jebaily Law Firm, Koppers, Nan Ya Plastics, Palmetto First Federal Credit Union, Ruiz Foods, the South Carolina State Library & Institute of Museum and Library Services, and State Farm: Jim Stewart.

The Florence County Library System invites children, teens, adults, and families to embark on a summer adventure of discovery, fun, and imagination through the 2025 Summer Reading Program. With this year’s theme, “Color Our World,” we want to encourage readers to explore the world and its many diverse cultures through the magic of books.

The Summer Reading Programs geared towards children from infants to young adults, feature a variety of exciting events, including weekly programs, storytimes, special performances, a summer reading club, and more. All activities are designed to inspire, entertain, and educate, reinforcing the library’s mission to foster literacy in Florence County. The programs open to teens are geared towards older youth in rising 6 through 12 grades, and encourage them to explore and create. For our adults, we’ll host an array of events in art, history, and all aspects of creativity. All programs are free of charge. Please click the buttons below for detailed information and schedules for each age group.

The Children’s Services Department would like to extend special thanks to the generous support of their sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Friends of Florence County Library, Jebaily Law Firm, Koppers, Nan Ya Plastics, Palmetto First Federal Credit Union, Ruiz Foods, the South Carolina State Library & Institute of Museum and Library Services, and State Farm: Jim Stewart.

Looking for another reason to read this summer? Children between the ages of 2 and 5, as well as school-aged kids from 5k-12th grade, who register for the summer reading program between June 9 through June 27 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a special prize. Visit any location in the Florence County Library System to register or sign up online at florencelibrary.beanstack.org

The grand opening of Robert Garey’s art exhibition at the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery was a vibrant and unforgettable evening, filled with a quiet buzz of excitement. A diverse crowd of art enthusiasts, creators, and curious locals mingled throughout the night, their conversations weaving a tapestry of admiration for Garey’s breathtaking works. His paintings, alive with bold colors and intricate textures, adorned the walls, each piece inviting viewers into a world of emotion and imagination. Known for his intimate portraits, the collection captivated attendees who were smiling and celebratory.

If you missed the opening, the exhibition will remain up for public viewing until September 19, 2025, offering ample time to experience Garey’s stunning artistry. Visitation to the Dr. N. Lee Morris Art Gallery on the second floor of Florence County Library is free and open to the public during normal operating hours:

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, closed.

Please visit our Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery page to admire pictures from the evening.

Join us in June at the library for an exciting lineup of events for adults 18+ that promise something for everyone! Dive into culinary delights with our monthly Cookbook Club, and pick up a great deal on gently used books during our Friends of the Florence County Library book sale. Engage in thought-provoking discussions during our Philosophy Cafe, and sip a custom beverage at our Tea Blending Workshop. For the book enthusiasts, our “Summer Reading Book Bingo” will be displayed on a table upstairs by the SC Room all summer long, encouraging readers to discover new genres and win a grand prize. Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family to experience the joy and inspiration we have to offer! All programs are free and open to the public, but require prior registration. Visit the Reference page for more information. Please call (843) 413-7074 to register.

Attention, brave adventurers in grades 9-12! Prepare to step into a fantastical realm where you control the story. Come to the library for an exciting introduction into Dungeons & Dragons that will have you battling foes and crafting legendary tales in no time.

What to expect: Learn the basics of D&D, and make choices that shape a magical world of endless possibilities. No equipment needed. All materials will be provided.

Beginners are welcome. You don’t need to be experienced, just bring your imagination and courage.

It’s completely free, but spots are limited so register now to secure your place.

To register, contact Caleb at cgainey@florencelibrary.org or call 843-292-7384.

Once all the spots filled, upcoming dates will be announced to those who are registered.

Are you ready to forge your own destiny? Let’s roll!

The Adult Book Club meets in person monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Stukes meeting room. The library welcomes new participants to join in the lively book discussions. The next meeting will be Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The book selection for June is How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher.

Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest.

Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.

When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.

Registration is not required. For adults aged 18+. Please call 843-413-7074 for more information.

Our monthly meeting of the Philosophy Café is set for Thursday, June 19 from 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. in the Stukes Meeting Room. Each meeting will feature a roundtable discussion pertaining to a chosen topic with the purpose of reaching a deeper personal understanding. June’s topic will be “Can obligation be oppression?”

Registration is not required.

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence.

Please call (843) 413-7074 for more information.

We’re taking tea to the next level at our tea blending workshop. The next meeting will happen on Friday, June 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 P.M. in the Stukes Meeting Room. Participants will learn about the tea blending process and craft their own custom blends to take home. A tea tasting will also be included. All materials will be provided by the library.

Registration is required, either stop by the library in person ahead of time or call (843) 413-7074.

This month, the Cookbook Club is exploring Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts by Crystal Wilkinson. This cookbook is described as a lyrical culinary journey that explores the hidden legacy of Black Appalachians, through powerful storytelling alongside nearly forty comforting recipes, from the former poet laureate of Kentucky. Meet us in the Founder’s Room Monday, June 30 from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. for an afternoon of delicious food, lively conversation, and shared inspiration.

Attendees of Cookbook Club will each choose a recipe from the selected cookbook, prepare that recipe, and bring it to the meeting at the listed date and time. The book will be held at the reference desk in the library for attendees to look through and select a recipe. A physical copy of their chosen recipe can be made at no cost for the patron to take home. Attendees must be registered and must disclose any food-related allergies or dietary restrictions. This event is for adults 18+.

Please call or visit the reference desk to register at (843) 413-7074.