The value of your library

Since 1917, the Sumter County Library has been a valuable part of Sumter County. The library is dedicated to the promotion of life-long learning that enhances the cultural, recreational, and educational needs of the community it serves. The Sumter County Library provides a diverse variety of materials, resources and programming covering a wide spectrum of knowledge, information, and entertainment for all ages. The Library consists of a Headquarters Library in downtown Sumter, a Wesmark and South Sumter Branch, and a Bookmobile to serve rural areas of the county as well as day care stops and senior centers.
The Library averages almost a quarter of a million visits each year. Most visitors come to take advantage of the library’s collection of books, audio books, eBooks, DVDs, CDs, and magazines available for loan. Last year patrons borrowed over 260,000 items from the library collection. The Library may also be accessed through its creative and interactive website at www.sumtercountylibrary.org. The website contains a wealth of information about library services and programs as well as access to the library catalog, patron accounts, online databases, and our social networking sites on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Public access computers are also an important service offered. Library patrons log onto our computers for internet access an average of 70,000 times a year to complete homework assignments, apply for jobs, search for information on health issues, or simply to surf the information highway.
We also offer many well-attended programs and events that meaningfully and positively impact lives. Last year, over 18,000 people attended computer and technology training; job search and resume assistance programs: presentations on health and wellness, finance and real estate; book clubs; a Taiwanese film and photography festival; scholarly lectures and much more. Children’s programs take place year-round, including the ever popular summer reading program which concludes with an end of summer bash at the Wesmark Branch. Story times and special movie showings are a regular feature for our younger patrons. Our highly talented and creative staff also create specially themed programs including a Halloween Spooktacular, Black History Month programs, Rappin’ Poetry Jams, Art Exhibits, and many other programs where children can create crafts, watch a magician, hear stories, dance, and listen to music.
The Sumter County Library is here to inspire, educate and entertain. Through our staff, resources and programming, we strive to help the citizens of Sumter County improve their lives through access to resources, materials and events that change lives.