Be sure to check out Library Card Sign-up Month
You can bet this occasion was booked a while back.
The American Library Association celebrates Library Card Sign-up Month in September, timed for the start of school, a reminder of a library card’s importance among youth school supplies.
All Grand Strand-area library systems – the city of Myrtle Beach’s Chapin Memorial Library, Horry Country Memorial Library, Georgetown County Library and Brunswick County Library – welcome their respective residents of all ages, including parents helping their children, to pick up a library card for free, to utilize the resources that each community hub of a library provides.
Check out each library, too, for various story times, youth and adult programs, and used-book sales, which raise money for acquiring new items to circulate among the public.
Debra Warrington, customer services supervisor at Chapin Memorial Library, talked about how a library card translates into a ticket to access so many avenues of information. She has worked in libraries for close to three decades, including 15 years at Chapin.
QUESTION | Just how big a world does having access through a library card open, for anyone of any age?
ANSWER | With a library card, you can travel the world without ever leaving home. Start by reading a good book. There are books about different countries. There are even fiction books that will take you into a different era, a different time period. You could go anywhere in the world by simply checking out a book.
Q. | What reaction do librarians typically see when a child receives his first-ever library card?
A. | It’s a wonderful reaction. The child has bright eyes. It opens the world for them. They’re seeing their parents checking out books, so they then do it themselves, and they hand us their card.
Q. | The people to whom library cards are issued: Is there a certain school-grade level for which it holds the greatest value for students?
A. | I don’t think so. It all depends on the parents to a certain degree. If they’re avid library users, chances are the children will learn that skill for when they’re looking for information on a school project. With the new technology, we don’t see so much research done these days, but as far as entertainment reading, we see a lot of that. They can download books to their Kindles, and they can check out DVDs and watch movies at home. Libraries aren’t just books anymore; they’re everything we need today.
Q. | With the Grand Strand already a haven for long-term winter vacationers from the North and the area growing as a retirement destination, how has that opened another channel for issuing library cards, and with other activities for the community, such as “Topics Trivia,” 4-6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday every month?
A. | We’ve always had our avid snowbird readers; they come every winter and purchase their library cards. If they own property here in city limits, they can get a free card.
We just had a Social Security workshop with help from the the Social Security office in Conway. We have safe driving classes, so people can bone up on their driving skills. ... With “Topics Trivia,” they can come and have fun. Starting in October, we’re starting an adult reading program similar to the children’s reading program. And parents, once their kids are in school for the day, they can come in and do things.
Q. | A used book sale anywhere always piques my antennae. How popular have these sales been?
A. | We have a huge selection that we keep stocked. A lot of them are from people donating books, and a lot of people buy them, then donate them back, and we recycle them through our sales. It also helps our Friends of the Chapin Memorial Library.
Q. | Even with the digital transition turning so many realms of life and business upside down, how do libraries keep with the beat so well, and still providing up-to-date books and periodicals, CDs, DVDs and the like that people can sit with and hold in their hand in the comfort of their home?
A. | Libraries have always looked to the future. We have always been there, and we always want to be there to serve everybody. In order to do that, we have to keep up with the new things and developments.
We have databases that people can do research on, that takes you to the actual state library databases, not Internet sites, with actual books downloaded into a system so you can do your research.
With the e-books, you can download them for free. .. It’s just the way we do things; we have to stay with the times.
Contact STEVE PALISIN at 843-444-1764.
If you go
Myrtle Beach’s Chapin Memorial Library
WHERE: 400 14th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, at Kings Highway
OPEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays
LIBRARY CARDS:
▪ Free for Myrtle Beach city residents and property owners with S.C. identification.
▪ $20 annually for Horry County residents, with S.C. ID, and complimentary cards extended to family members in household.
▪ For individuals living outside Horry County – $8 for 90-day primary card, and $2 each additional family member; or $20 annual card, and $8 for family members each.
INFORMATION: 843-918-1275 or www.chapinlibrary.org
Horry County Memorial Library branches
▪ Aynor – 500 Ninth Ave. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. 843-358-3324.
▪ Bucksport – 7657 U.S. 701 S., south of Conway. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-397-1950.
▪ Carolina Forest – 2250 Carolina Forest Blvd., east of U.S. 501. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 843-915-5282.
▪ Conway – 801 Main St. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. 843-915-7323.
▪ Green Sea Floyds – 5331 S.C. 9. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. 843-392-0994.
▪ Little River – Ralph H. Ellis County Complex Building, 107 S.C. 57 N. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-399-5541.
▪ Loris – 4316 Main St. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-756-8101.
▪ North Myrtle Beach – 910 First Ave. S. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-915-5281.
▪ Socastee – 141 707-Connector Road, between S.C. 707 and S.C. 544. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-215-4700.
▪ Surfside Beach – 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-205-5280 or 843-915-5280. (Also, Friends of Surfside Beach Library book sale, 4-6 p.m. second Wedensday monthly.)
▪ Bookmobile – Based at county library administration, 1008 Fifth Ave., Conway, making rounds countywide at pre-arranged sites, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 8 a.m.-noon Fridays. 843-248-1544, or email toddjo@horrycounty.org .
LIBRARY CARDS:
▪ With S.C. ID, free for Horry County residents and property owners.
▪ For people living outside Horry County, $10 for six months; also, free temporary guest pass available for computer use for 14 days.
MORE LIBRARY SYSTEM DETAILS: www.hcml.org
Georgetown County Library branches
▪ Georgetown (main branch) – 405 Cleland St. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, and through May: 2-5 p.m. Sundays. 843-545-3300.
▪ Waccamaw Neck – 41 St. Paul Place, Litchfield Beach, off Willbrook Boulevard. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, and 2-5 p.m. Sundays. Also: “A Silver Celebration of Creativity,” fall luncheon for Friends of the Waccamaw Library’s 25th anniversary, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 29 at Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, 70 Tanglewood Drive, Pawleys Island, off U.S. 17, for $35. 843-545-3623.
▪ Andrews – 105 N. Morgan St. 9 a.m-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 843-545-3621.
▪ Carvers Bay –13048 Choppee Road, Hemingway. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 843-545-3515.
▪ Bookmobile – Countywide routes; see schedule online.
LIBRARY CARDS: With S.C. ID – Free for Georgetown County residents, otherwise $8 annually.
MORE LIBRARY SYSTEM DETAILS: georgetowncountylibrary.sc.gov
Brunswick County Library branches
▪ Hickmans Crossroads – 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 910-575-0173.
▪ Rourk – 5068 Main St., Shallotte, N.C. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 910-754-6578.
▪ G.V. Barbee Sr. – 8200 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, N.C. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. .
▪ Margaret & James Harper Jr. – 109 W. Moore St., Southport, N.C. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 910-457-6237.
▪ Leland – 487 Village Road. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 910-371-9442.
LIBRARY CARDS:
▪ With N.C. ID, free for Brunswick County residents.
▪ For seasonal or part-time county residents, $25 annually.
MORE LIBRARY SYSTEM DETAILS: www.brunswickcountync.gov/library/
National Adult and Family Literacy Week
WHAT: Celebrated Sept. 21-26 nationwide
WITH: Horry County Schools Adult & Community Education
WHAT AND WHEN:
▪ Classes open to anyone 17 or older who has officially withdrawn from school, and available Mondays-Fridays.
▪ Registration, orientation and placement testing for all adult education classes at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays.
▪ Child care for youngsters to age 5 available for participants who engage in Parent & Child Together time and parenting classes.
WHERE:
▪ Conway Education Center, 1620 Sherwood Drive
▪ Myrtle Beach Family Learning Center, 3101 Oak St., beside Myrtle Beach’s Pepper Geddings Recreation Center
INFORMATION: 843-488-6200 or hcae.horrycountyschools.net/pages/HorryCountyAdultEducation
This story was originally published September 20, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Be sure to check out Library Card Sign-up Month."