Summer Reading Program

No flu shot is needed to Catch the Reading Bug -- the theme of this year's Summer Vacation Reading program. Designed for children ages 3 - 12 years of age, an Early Bird Sign-up will be on Thursday, May 22 during our SC-ETV's Meet & Greet Clifford the Big Red Dog event from 10 am - 12 noon at the Downtown Main Library. If unable to attend, registration officially will begin on June 4 at all branches, and the annual program will run through August 6.The purpose of Summer Vacation Reading is twofold -- to retain the skills from one school year to the next, and to instill a lifelong love of reading. For ten books read, participating children will receive a prize, and for twenty books read, children will receive a Reading Certificate of accomplishment. Many mini specials are planned throughout the nine weeks of the program; so please register and follow along with the Calendar of Events which comes with the registration packet. Happy summer reading!
Karen Edgar

April @ the Library

We have some very interesting events scheduled at the Library for April, which is BTW, Jazz Appreciation Month. The Library collection has several books, CDs, and DVDs on the subject worth checking out. April 13-19 is National Library Week. I'd like to suggest two possible ways to observe National Library Week. First, think of all the different services that libraries provide. Now, think of a world without libraries and without those services. Personally, libraries have been an important part of my life since my parents first took me to the old Carnegie Library on Liberty Street when I was a little boy. I've loved libraries ever since and think the world would be a poorer place without them. This year's theme for National Library Week is "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library" and we certainly have a wide variety of services to help you do just that. One new service to checkout is SchoolRooms. You can access SchoolRooms from the Library website. It is a new K-12 online multimedia discovery place for South Carolina students. SchoolRooms has been designed to provide a "Best of the Web" approach to internet and database searching. The content has been selected by over 200 teachers and librarians. It is possible to search 3 million educator-selected pages in 71 subject areas with content aligned to curriculum standards. The SchoolRooms project is being developed by the South Carolina State Library with funding provided by IMLS and LSTA.
The Library will host El dia de los ninos y el dia de los libros (Day of the child, day of the book) on April 19th at the Downtown Library from 3-5. Check with our Children's Department for further details. April 19th is also the day for the Festival on the Avenue. The festival will begin with a parade from Bartlette Street featuring J. David Weeks as Grand Marshall. The event plans to showcase many local talents and will have singing, dancing, poetry, vendors with local cuisines, arts and crafts, a carnival, competitions and the Sumter County Library Bookmobile will also be on hand. The schedule for that day is 10:00 to 4:00.
On April 23rd, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at the Downtown Library, along with the Wofford College Troubadour Series, we will be presenting a program featuring the music of classical guitarist Andres Segovia and the poetry of Carl Sandburg. Jhon Akers will be the featured performer. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the concert and attendees will have an opportunity to meet the artist.
To help kick off the Sumter Scottish Fair and Celtic Festival, the movie Braveheart will be shown at 6:30 pm on April 24th at the Downtown Library. There are also some interesting items on display at the Downtown Library in coordination with this festival.

Robert

Author Luncheon

The Friends of the Sumter County Library held their annual author luncheon on March 14th at the Sunset Country Club. This years event featured mystery writer Kathryn R. Wall, who not only stepped in on very short notice, but made the trip to Sumter while dealing with a sudden illness in her family. Words cannot express our gratitude - not only for her making the trip at all, but also for giving a very informative and entertaining presentation. Kathryn Wall is the author of seven novels (number eight is coming out in April) set in the Low Country of South Carolina. Her heroine, Lydia Baynard Simpson Tanner lives in Hilton Head and has a peculiar gift for getting herself, friends, and loved ones involved in a series of suspenseful and dangerous situations. The books are very entertaining and contain a great deal of local color. Ms. Wall knows her venue very well, particularly impressive considering she retired to Hilton Head after a career as an accountant in Ohio. Human nature is human nature wherever you are, to paraphrase Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, and Kathryn Wall has keen insight in that area. Her characters are very well developed. Although it isn't necessary to read the books in the sequence they were published, it is enjoyable to start at the beginning and see how the characters change and develop from one book to the next.
I initiated an interesting discussion at the luncheon on the subject of Bay Tanner's love life, specifically her French boyfriend Alain Darnay. An attendee took exception, thinking that I didn't like the character because he was French. I explained that my beef with Darnay wasn't his nationality, but that I just didn't think he was "right" for Bay and that on again/off again detecting partner Erik Whiteside would be a better match. Pick up a Bay Tanner mystery and decide for yourself. You might even think Red Tanner, Bay's brother-in-law, is the best match of the three. Did I mention Bay's life is rather complicated?
The Friends Author Luncheon committee led by Dotty Lyles did a wonderful job. The flowers were beautiful, the table arrangements were perfectly in keeping with the theme of the Bay Tanner mysteries, and the menu was perfect. Thanks also to luncheon committee members Betsy Acken, Elaine Cameron, Rose Marie Newman and Nancy Wilson.
Robert

Public Library Appreciation Day

Do you appreciate your public library? The South Carolina General Assembly has passed a concurrent resolution declaring January 31, 2008 be Public Library Appreciation Day in South Carolina. This concurrent resolution concludes by stating, "Be it further resolved that the people of South Carolina avail themselves of the many rich services provided by our public libraries to meet their educational, informational, and recreational needs." It is the sincere hope of the entire staff of the Sumter County Library that we are meeting the needs of our community as outlined in the proceeding statement. And we hope you have been showing your appreciation of the Library by availing yourself of our many services. Perhaps you've stopped in to pick up a tax form. Federal forms are here and state forms should be on the way shortly. Maybe you came by to read a newspaper, read or checkout a magazine, checkout the latest bestseller or audio book. Or a DVD. You may have gone online to surf the internet, check your e-mail, fill out a job application, or follow the latest political happenings on websites or blogs. It could be that one of the junior members of your family attended storytime or one of the senior members checked out a title from our large print collection. You could have downloaded an audio book or used an online database. Maybe you attended a film, took one of our computer classes, used one or our meeting and study rooms, or went to a program. We have a great deal to offer and we certainly appreciate the support you have given and continue to give your public library. Please make sure to avail yourself of these and all our other services.
Robert Harden/Director

Friends

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

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

Forrest Ray 5K Run/Walk Celebration

On October 13, 2007, the FORREST RAY 5K RUN/WALK CELEBRATION will be held as part of Octoberfest in Sumter County. The race is a fundraising event for the Sumter County Library. This will be the second year for the 5K, which is the inspired creation of Forrest Ray, a musician, avid reader, and dedicated library supporter. Forrest came up with the idea as a way to raise money to help in the renovation/expansion project of the Library Headquarters that saw the library go from an outdated relic of the 1960’s to the state of the art facility that opened in May of this year after a year and a half of construction. Forrest’s vision did not end with the construction of the building, however. Once the “house” was built, he envisioned this race becoming an annual event that would engage the entire community in raising money for furnishings, library programming, and books and audiovisual materials to fill the many rows of new shelving.

Last year’s race attracted over 100 participants. Forrest worked tirelessly to make the first annual 5K the success it was, even while enduring the effects of the cancer that would claim his life four months later. As a sign of appreciation for his efforts, the Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Library voted to name the event in his memory.

An athletic competition is perhaps not the first thing that would spring to mind when thinking of fundraising possibilities for a Library, but it has turned out to be a very inventive idea that takes into consideration the “whole” person – a health inspired event that will raise money to benefit the educational, cultural, and recreational life of Sumter County. In addition, the 5K positions the library front and center in a community event. This race will bring together young and old, industry and schools, Sumter and Shaw AFB residents, in fact, the very people the library wishes to reach and serve. The Sumter YMCA immediately signed on as a co-sponsor, as did Sumter County Lifestyles. SAFE Federal Credit Union became a major corporate supporter this year, thus enabling the event to soar to a new dimension of excellence.

The FORREST RAY 5K RUN/ WALK will begin at 9:00 am at the Sumter County Library, and the race itself will follow a route that will take runners and walkers through downtown Sumter, past residences in the historic district, and finish at the beautiful Swan Lake Gardens. Transportation will be available to take participants back to the library. Registration is available online at the Sumter YMCA (an organizational sponsor of the race) at http://www.ymcasumter.org or the library’s site, www.midnet.sc.edu/sumtercls.

Robert