Public libraries play a very important role in the life of a community - in the very fabric of society. A public library helps to insure that the information resources of a city, county, state, nation, etc., are available to all citizens. One of the cornerstones of democracy is that of an informed citizenry and the public library certainly has a vital part in providing services for the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of its patrons.
Libraries are fortunate when they have supporters who are committed to its mission. The Sumter County Library has been exceptionally lucky over the years to have a very dedicated and hardworking Friends group. Volunteers have been toiling for months sorting through donations and organizing materials into appropriate categories in preparation for the annual book sale. The location this year will be what was the old Service Merchandise store at Sumter Mall. This is the large, anchor store between Sears and JC Penney. The sale begins with a Friend's Only Night on Thursday, November 1 from 6 - 8:30 pm. If you aren't a Friend of the Library, you can join up Thursday evening and take advantage of opening night. We'll be glad to have you on board. The sale will continue on Friday, November 2 and 9 from 4-8:30 pm; Saturday, November 3 and 10 from 10 am - 6 pm; and Sunday, November 4 and 11 from 1:30 - 5 pm. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library which will help the Library provide materials, programs, and services to meet the needs of the community.
One Friends fundraising event is about to begin and another was held on a beautiful October Saturday a few weeks ago. Over 170 runners and walkers turned out on the 13th to participate in the 2nd annual Forrest Ray 5K Run/Walk Celebration. Trey Parker of Wilson Hall School was the overall winner for the second consecutive year, trimming over a minute from his time last year. He completed the race in 15:54. Wilson Hall also won the school participation award. The military participation award went to Shaw's combined 28th and 9th Operational Weather Squadrons. Again, many thanks to all who came out to support the Library.
Robert
Forrest Ray 5K Run/Walk Celebration 2007 Winners
Overall:
1st Place Trey Parker 15:54
2nd Place Chris Hicks 16:52
3rd Place Joshua Jennings 17:41
Adult Male Adult Female
1st Place Chris Hicks 1st Place Rita Hobi
2nd Place James Goodson 2nd Place Julie Herlong
3rd Place Scott Snyder 3rd Place Heather Durant
Military Male Military Female
1st Place William Ray 1st Place Cathy Norwood
2nd Place James Slisik 2nd Place Noelle Caldwell
3rd Place Scott Stewart 3rd Place Jennifer Young
Youth Male Youth Female
1st Place Trey Parker 1st Place Erin Pratt
2nd Place Joshua Jennings 2nd Place Kat Blanchard
3rd Place Josh Watts 3rd Place Amber Collins
Forrest Ray 5K Traveling High School Cup Wilson Hall
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Sumter County Library is very excited about the upcoming Forrest Ray 5K Classic Run/Walk Celebration on Saturday, October 13. The race begins at the Downtown Library at 9:00 am, and we'll be taking registration right up to race time. This years event will feature timing chips that will bring a bit more of a professional feel to the competition. Another added feature will be the awarding of the Forrest A. Ray Traveling High School Cup that will go to the fastest high school student. The Cup will remain at the High School until another school is able to wrest it away in future annual races. While the competitive aspect contributes to the sporting element of the event, the focus is still on fundraising for the Library. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library and we welcome all participants - those who are determined to be best in the field, those who are organizing their own competitions with fellow runners, and also those who just want to participate in a great community event and support the Library.
As Interim Director of the Sumter County Library, I cannot begin to extend my thanks to those who have worked so tirelessly on the 5K or to those who support the Library in so many different ways. Bosch Braking Systems recently donated a collection of beautifully framed artwork featuring vignettes from around Sumter. These pictures are now hanging in the Library and have already attracted appreciative comments from Library staff and patrons. Bosch is also donating an extraordinarily restored 1929 Ford Model A to the Library. They should be delivering it to us shortly, and then the car will be auctioned online with the proceeds going to the Friends of the Library. The amazing restoration on this classic automobile was done by apprentices working at Bosch. Bosch also donated the funds that made the Technology Area possible at our Wesmark Branch. Thanks Bosch for all you've done for the Library!
The support we receive allows the Library to purchase items for our collection (books, audiobooks, dvds, etc.) that in turn benefit our patrons. We also receive support from people who come to our Library to present programs for the public. Kirstin Hemphill braved the rain and the traffic from the USC-Kentucky game to drive from Columbia to present an SAT Math Game Thursday evening, October 4, at the Downtown Library. The spirited students who attended formed three teams competing against each other in a "Jeopardy" style game that featured categories such as Arithmetic, Geometry, and Algebra I and II. Kirstin is a math and science tutor with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State. Kirstin says "I feel a responsibility to "the next generation" and South Carolina to give back to the community by providing this program free of charge, as a lot of students do not have the means of hiring a private SAT tutor, or attending an expensive prep course. I felt it was important to try to find a way to make it as fun as possible, as studying for the SATs can be a daunting task." Judging by the fun the participants seemed to be having, Kirstin more than achieved her goal.
Robert
As Interim Director of the Sumter County Library, I cannot begin to extend my thanks to those who have worked so tirelessly on the 5K or to those who support the Library in so many different ways. Bosch Braking Systems recently donated a collection of beautifully framed artwork featuring vignettes from around Sumter. These pictures are now hanging in the Library and have already attracted appreciative comments from Library staff and patrons. Bosch is also donating an extraordinarily restored 1929 Ford Model A to the Library. They should be delivering it to us shortly, and then the car will be auctioned online with the proceeds going to the Friends of the Library. The amazing restoration on this classic automobile was done by apprentices working at Bosch. Bosch also donated the funds that made the Technology Area possible at our Wesmark Branch. Thanks Bosch for all you've done for the Library!
The support we receive allows the Library to purchase items for our collection (books, audiobooks, dvds, etc.) that in turn benefit our patrons. We also receive support from people who come to our Library to present programs for the public. Kirstin Hemphill braved the rain and the traffic from the USC-Kentucky game to drive from Columbia to present an SAT Math Game Thursday evening, October 4, at the Downtown Library. The spirited students who attended formed three teams competing against each other in a "Jeopardy" style game that featured categories such as Arithmetic, Geometry, and Algebra I and II. Kirstin is a math and science tutor with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State. Kirstin says "I feel a responsibility to "the next generation" and South Carolina to give back to the community by providing this program free of charge, as a lot of students do not have the means of hiring a private SAT tutor, or attending an expensive prep course. I felt it was important to try to find a way to make it as fun as possible, as studying for the SATs can be a daunting task." Judging by the fun the participants seemed to be having, Kirstin more than achieved her goal.
Robert
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
