Storytimes near JENNIE ERWIN BRANCH LIBRARY

Online

Description: Please join us to learn about the many South Carolina-related print and digital resources available for research through the South Carolina State Library. In this webinar, we'll visit the state's role in space exploration. Learn about astronauts from SC, how to find stargazing sites around the state, our contributions to NASA, and more. We'll show you how to access everything from aerospace engineering reports to musings on the origins of the universe and everything in between in celebration of National Air and Space Month! Presenter: Melanie Griffin is a Public Services Librarian at the South Carolina State Library. Location: This webinar will take place virtually using Zoom. Instructions for joining will be emailed to those who are registered prior to the meeting. Cost: Free Accessibility: If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the organizer at least two weeks prior to the event. Questions about the event? Please contact Public Service Librarian Melanie Griffin

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

Join us for our next Speaker at the Center event, where six panelists will explore the history of the American Revolution. Even 250 years after America gained independence, historians and experts continue to debate key questions. Come listen as they use artifacts and primary sources to clarify the facts in these discussions. Thursday, July 16th, 2:30 PM Panelists Eric K. Barnes, American Historiographer, CEO of Historyman LLC, and author of Historyman Comics. Dr. Elizabeth Chew, CEO of the South Carolina Historical Society Bill Davies, Vice Chairman SC250 Commission Virginia Ellison, COO and Director of Collections of the South Carolina Historical Society Dr. Eric Emerson, Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and Collections, State Historic Preservation Officer, and State Archivist Rick Wise, Executive Director / CEO of the South Carolina Battleground Trust, Military Historian Contact For more information, please contact McCabe Rentz, SC Center for the Book Coordinator, at 803-734-4816 or mrentz@statelibrary.sc.gov. Location & Parking The event is held at the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. On-street metered parking is available. Enter between the two lions. Accessibility FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Please contact the program organizer in advance if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate.

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk about the Quilts of Valor Program. The event is on Thursday, July 23rd, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the Learning Lab at the State Library The mission of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Join us for our next Speaker at the Center event with Kim Price to learn about the history of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, its importance, and how Kim came to be a part of it. About Kim Price Kim Price is the State Coordinator for South Carolina Quilts of Valor. She is a mom of four kids and lives in Iva, SC. Kim has been a member of Quilts of Valor since 2016. Please register below Contact For more information, please contact McCabe Rentz, SC Center for the Book Coordinator, at 803-734-4816 or mrentz@statelibrary.sc.gov. Location & Parking The event is held at the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. On-street metered parking is available. Enter between the two lions. Accessibility FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Please contact the program organizer in advance if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate.

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk with Author L. Glen Inabinet, who will share from his book "Mekong Memoirs: A GI in Tan Tru, Long An Province, 1969-1970". Facing imminent conscription, University of South Carolina graduate L. Glen Inabinet entered the Army in 1968, with a tour of Vietnam service inevitable. Scarcely six months later, he was fighting mud, mosquitos and Vietcong adversaries in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Armed with a liberal arts degree and an artillery MOS, Inabinet served in a 105mm howitzer section, as RTO with an artillery FO team, and as TAERS Clerk managing his battery's equipment records. Between filling in logbooks, he filled in for short-handed gun crews, served guard duty, defended against enemy attack, and countered stateside-like harassment with an imperishable sense of humor. Containing previously unpublished photographs and documentary records, Inabinet's memoir is the personal voice of an on-the-spot reporter with a unique perspective as a writer of history and of human experience. Equipped with his camera, Inabinet preserved war-related images of Vietnam's exotic land and people as well as the GIs daily grind and dangers. His memory of his 401-day tour is bolstered by near-daily letters to his wife. This book presents Inabinet's stunning account of his time in the Mekong, more well-documented than would be possible for most tours of service. In a troubled war, Inabinet remained convinced of the strengths of faith and of camaraderie with brothers-in-arms, and his memoir tells this story in striking and illustrative detail. L. Glen Inabinet, researcher, photographer, freelance writer, and retired high school history teacher, is active in local and state historical societies and veterans' organizations. He lives in Camden, South Carolina. Contact For more information, please get in touch with McCabe Rentz, SC Center for the Book Coordinator, at 803-734-4816 or mrentz@statelibrary.sc.gov. Location & Parking The event is held at the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. On-street metered parking is available. Enter between the two lions. Accessibility FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Please contact the program organizer in advance if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate.

Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC 29601, Greenville County Library

Agenda: Looking for new storytime books or props? Unsure how to deal with distractions during library events? Join us for a day focused on our youngest library patrons: 0-5 year olds! Attendees will learn about storytime resources, discuss programming ideas for “littles” and their caregivers, and have time for peer discussion and questions. Discover how the First Five SC portal simplifies how families search, learn about, and check eligibility for public programs serving young children in South Carolina. This session will provide an interactive overview of the website's user-friendly features and highlight the rich library of resources you can share directly with parents in your community. Representatives from Help Me Grow SC will present “Incorporating Developmental Milestones into Storytime Events.” Lunch will be on your own; a list of nearby lunch options will be provided prior to the event. Audience: This event is for public library staff who work directly with children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Event Location: Greenville County Library System - Hughes Main Library Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the event? Contact: Anna Brannin, Youth Services Consultant South Carolina State Library 803-734-8284 abrannin@statelibrary.sc.gov

South Carolina State Library

Description: Join us for a collaborative exchange focused on SC250 programming ideas for your public libraries. Attendees will hear program ideas from fellow public library staff and learn about State Library resources. There will also be time for questions, discussion, and idea sharing with peers. Light snacks provided. Audience: This event is for public library staff. Location: This event will be held in person at the South Carolina State Library at 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC, 29201. Parking information will be distributed to attendees prior to the event. Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the event? Contact: Sarah Schroeder Director of Library Development (803) 734-6061 sschroeder@statelibrary.sc.gov This project is made possible in part by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

SC250 Palmetto Display This year, the South Carolina State Library partnered with the South Carolina Relic Room and Military Museum for Revolutionary War Day, which highlights South Carolina’s rich Revolutionary War history and the many battles fought here, including Ninety Six, Sullivan’s Island, Camden, Kings Mountain, and Cowpens. The fighting produced heroes whose names we still recall, such as the "Fighting Gamecock", Thomas Sumter, and the "Swamp Fox", Francis Marion. Visit our new SC250 display, courtesy of the South Carolina Relic Room and Military Museum, which highlights how the Sabal palmetto, South Carolina's state tree, became a significant symbol during the Battle of Fort Sullivan. The exhibit will remain on display through the end of this year. South Carolina State Library 1500 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday SC250 Palmetto Display | South Carolina State Library

Colleton County Memorial Library, 600 Hampton St., Walterboro SC, 29488, Colleton County Library

Agenda: Looking for new storytime books or props? Unsure how to deal with distractions during library events? Join us for a day focused on our youngest library patrons: 0-5 year olds! Attendees will learn about storytime resources, discuss programming ideas for “littles” and their caregivers, and have time for peer discussion and questions. Discover how the First Five SC portal simplifies how families search, learn about, and check eligibility for public programs serving young children in South Carolina. This session will provide an interactive overview of the website's user-friendly features and highlight the rich library of resources you can share directly with parents in your community. Representatives from Help Me Grow SC will present “Incorporating Developmental Milestones into Storytime Events.” Lunch will be on your own; a list of nearby lunch options will be provided prior to the event. Audience: This event is for public library staff who work directly with children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Event Location: Colleton County Memorial Library 600 Hampton St., Walterboro SC, 29488 Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the event? Contact: Anna Brannin, Youth Services Consultant South Carolina State Library 803-734-8284 abrannin@statelibrary.sc.gov

Richland Library Sandhills, Richland Library

Agenda: Looking for new storytime books or props? Unsure how to deal with distractions during library events? Join us for a day focused on our youngest library patrons: 0-5 year olds! Attendees will learn about storytime resources, discuss programming ideas for “littles” and their caregivers, and have time for peer discussion and questions. Discover how the First Five SC portal simplifies how families search, learn about, and check eligibility for public programs serving young children in South Carolina. This session will provide an interactive overview of the website's user-friendly features and highlight the rich library of resources you can share directly with parents in your community. Representatives from Help Me Grow SC will present “Incorporating Developmental Milestones into Storytime Events.” Lunch will be on your own; a list of nearby lunch options will be provided prior to the event. Audience: This event is for public library staff who work directly with children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Event Location: Richland Library – Sandhills 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229 Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the event? Contact: Anna Brannin, Youth Services Consultant South Carolina State Library 803-734-8284 abrannin@statelibrary.sc.gov

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

The South Carolina State Library hosts the Traveling Exhibit, The History and Archaeology of Fort Motte, on loan from the South Carolina State Museum. This traveling exhibition examines the 1781 siege of Fort Motte, as well as the excavation of the site and the artifacts uncovered there. This traveling exhibition was developed by the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum and examines the 1781 siege of Fort Motte, as well as the excavation of the site and the artifacts uncovered. Fort Motte, in present Calhoun County, South Carolina, was a Revolutionary War British outpost. The fort consisted of the Rebecca Motte plantation house, surrounded by a heavy, palisaded earthwork parapet and ditch. In May, 1781, an American force under Francis Marion and Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee lay siege to the fort, and the British garrison of 184 men surrendered after resisting for seven days. The History and Archaeology of Fort Motte | South Carolina State Museum The exhibit will be on display through August 31st. South Carolina State Library 1500 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

2250 Carolina Forest Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29579, Horry County Library

Agenda: Looking for new storytime books or props? Unsure how to deal with distractions during library events? Join us for a day focused on our youngest library patrons: 0-5 year olds! Attendees will learn about storytime resources, discuss programming ideas for “littles” and their caregivers, and have time for peer discussion and questions. Discover how the First Five SC portal simplifies how families search, learn about, and check eligibility for public programs serving young children in South Carolina. This session will provide an interactive overview of the website's user-friendly features and highlight the rich library of resources you can share directly with parents in your community. Representatives from Help Me Grow SC will present “Incorporating Developmental Milestones into Storytime Events.” Lunch will be on your own; a list of nearby lunch options will be provided prior to the event. Audience: This event is for public library staff who work directly with children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Event Location: Horry County Memorial Library – Carolina Forest Library 2250 Carolina Forest Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the event? Contact: Anna Brannin, Youth Services Consultant South Carolina State Library 803-734-8284 abrannin@statelibrary.sc.gov

Online

The South Carolina Center for the Book will join the 56 affiliate Centers for the Book at the 2026 National Book Festival in Washington DC. We will bring our Great Reads selections for Adults and Youth that highlight the literary arts and culture of South Carolina and showcase the role our state played in the American Revolution. The National Book Festival National Book Festival Overview | National Book Festival | Programs | Library of Congress Past South Carolina Great Reads Selections Great Reads from Great Places | South Carolina State Library About Great Reads from Great Places Great Reads from Great Places | The Center for the Book | Programs | Library of Congress

Chesterfield County Library, 119 W Main St, Chesterfield, SC 29709, South Carolina State Library

Agenda: Join us for at the 2026 SCSL Circulating Kits Idea Exchange! This event offers South Carolina public library staff the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share ideas for using the South Carolina State Library’s circulating kits in creative and impactful ways. This interactive session will feature: SCSL Circulating Kit Program Overview – learn about the program, and how to use the system. Hands-On Kit Exploration – browse and try out a variety of circulating kits on display. Group Discussion – share program ideas, success stories, and experiences using the kits. Whether you’re a seasoned kit user or new to the program, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and leave inspired to elevate your library’s programming. Audience: Any South Carolina public library staff member involved in creating programming. Location: Chesterfield County Library. 119 W Main St, Chesterfield, SC 29709 Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the workshop? Contact: Casey Stoudemayer South Carolina State Library 803-734-8666

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk with Historyman, Eric Barnes, who is on the trail of our American history through a number of projects, including the Historyman Podcast, Historyman blog, and Historyman Comics. These projects seek to illustrate and educate future generations about the challenges of the past, the hard-fought victories, and the visionary hopes of those who went before us. Historyman Comics presents a graphic novel set during Revolutionary War times in South Carolina. Each novel is inspired by historical record. The Francis Marion comic series also consists of six books geared towards grade level students. The six volumes are “An Army of a Different Kind”, “Blue Fortune”, "Hunter or Prey", "A Bitter Spring For Snow", "Obstinate and Strong", and "Hope Springs at Eutaw." This series follows Francis Marion in the swamps of South Carolina, fighting back against the British invasion. In "An Army of a Different Kind", Francis Marion takes command of the local militia and fights for survival against the British. About the Author: Eric K. Barnes is an American Historiographer. Through his website, he memorializes history through various writing and audio projects, including the blog, podcast, and comic book series. A graduate of Gardner Webb University and a retired Detective Sergeant, he can be found walking battlefields and hallowed halls of history. Barnes has been a local columnist in the News Topic Newspaper in Lenoir, NC, and The Standard Newspaper in Lexington, SC. His Historyman podcast is “the platform for historians, authors, and museum directors to tell their stories of the American Revolution to the world”. To date, the podcast boasts an audience in all 50 States and over 40 countries. Each 20-30 minute episode is geared to the Revolutionary War enthusiasts, especially those interested in the Southern Campaigns. Revolutionary War Comics - Historyman Revolutionary War Podcast Contact For more information, please contact McCabe Rentz, SC Center for the Book Coordinator, at 803-734-4816 or mrentz@statelibrary.sc.gov. Location & Parking The event is held at the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. On-street metered parking is available. Enter between the two lions. Accessibility FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Please contact the program organizer in advance if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate.

Beaufort Library, St. Helena Branch, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, Saint Helena Island, SC, 29920, South Carolina State Library

Agenda: Join us for the 2026 SCSL Circulating Kits Idea Exchange! This event offers South Carolina public library staff the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share ideas for using the South Carolina State Library’s circulating kits in creative and impactful ways. This interactive session will feature: SCSL Circulating Kit Program Overview – learn about the program, and how to use the system. Hands-On Kit Exploration – browse and try out a variety of circulating kits on display. Group Discussion – share program ideas, success stories, and experiences using the kits. Whether you’re a seasoned kit user or new to the program, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and leave inspired to elevate your library’s programming. Audience: Any South Carolina public library staff member involved in creating programming. Location: St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, Saint Helena Island, SC, 29920 Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available by request. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance. Questions about the workshop? Contact: Casey Stoudemayer South Carolina State Library 803-734-8666

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

Join us at our next Speaker at the Center series on Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m. for an author talk featuring authors and podcast co-hosts, Charlie Mewshaw and Michael G. Williams. They will share content from Arcane Carolinas, Volume 2 and Volume 3. Charlie and Michael use library resources to explore folklore and all things eerie in the Carolinas. These are the second and third volumes of Arcane Carolinas, produced by the co-hosts of the same-named podcast. Charlie Mewshaw visited and shared Volume 1 with us in October of 2023. About the authors: Charlie and Michael are the co-hosts of the podcast Arcane Carolinas Charlie Mewshaw is a researcher, author, artist, TV and podcast host—all-around purveyor of the bizarre. Charlie has spent years researching the history, anthropology, and natural resource sciences behind folklore and legends of North America. He explores the feasibility, cultural significance, and social implications of folklore, legends, and modern tales of the strange with origins specifically in the Carolinas. From cryptids, to ghosts, to UFOs, if it's weird, he's written about it. Charlie is the lead natural resource science and technology expert on Lost Monster Files, currently airing on Discovery and HBO Max. He is also the co-creator of the award-winning podcast, Arcane Carolinas, and its spin-off, Arcane Destinations. You can find out more about him at his website, Charlie Mewshaw. Michael G. Williams writes queer horror and sci-fi about outsiders finding their people, including Perishables (Laine Cunningham Award), A Fall in Autumn (Manly Wade Wellman Award), and Servant Sovereign. He’s a Trustee of the NC Writers Network and a member of the North Carolina chapter of HWA. Michael lives in Durham, NC, with his husband and a variety of animals. You can find him online at michaelgwilliamsbooks.com, on Facebook, and on Bluesky. For more information, please get in touch with McCabe Rentz, SC Center for the Book Coordinator, at 803-734-4816 or mrentz@statelibrary.sc.gov Location & Parking: The event is held at the South Carolina State Library Learning Lab, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. On-street metered parking is available. Enter between the two lions. Accessibility: FM Auditory Assistance, large print materials, and other accessibility accommodations are available upon request. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the program organizer at least two weeks in advance.

South Carolina State Library, South Carolina State Library

SC250 Palmetto Display This year, the South Carolina State Library partnered with the South Carolina Relic Room and Military Museum for Revolutionary War Day, which highlights South Carolina’s rich Revolutionary War history and the many battles fought here, including Ninety Six, Sullivan’s Island, Camden, Kings Mountain, and Cowpens. The fighting produced heroes whose names we still recall, such as the "Fighting Gamecock", Thomas Sumter, and the "Swamp Fox", Francis Marion. Visit our new SC250 display, courtesy of the South Carolina Relic Room and Military Museum, which highlights how the Sabal palmetto, South Carolina's state tree, became a significant symbol during the Battle of Fort Sullivan. The exhibit will remain on display through the end of this year. South Carolina State Library 1500 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday SC250 Palmetto Display | South Carolina State Library