The Florence County Library System (Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library and all its branches) will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, 2009 for Independence Day. Normal hours of operation will resume Sunday, July 5, 2009 .

Friends of Florence County Library (FOFCL) was selected as one of five 2008 Baker & Taylor Award winners for “Guess What Friend is Coming to Dinner.” The entry was based on successful planning, implementation, evaluation, innovation and community involvement. Friends of Florence County Library will be recognized at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference on Monday, July 13, 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. FOFCL will receive a check for $1,000 along with a plaque from Baker & Taylor, the world’s largest information and entertainment service provider.

FOFCL has also been chosen by Friends of Libraries USA for the “Best Friends Award.” Based on materials that promote programs and special projects coordinated by Friends groups throughout the US, FOFCL was recognized for best Special Project Publicity for “South Carolina Celebrities Read,” a poster campaign that features photos of state senators, representatives, speakers and authors reading their favorite books. FOFCL also received recognition for the popular fundraiser, “Guess What Friend is Coming to Dinner,” as well as the Friends website. Entries for these awards were based on creativity, visual appeal, effectiveness of communication and visibility of Friends Group.

Friends of Florence County Library will be featured in an upcoming issue of The VOICE, national American Library Association newsletter, once the new website launches at www.ala.org/altaff.

Other Awards for Florence County Library

2001 Friends of South Carolina Libraries
Outstanding Program Award
for “A Celebration of Pee Dee Authors”

2003 Friends of South Carolina Libraries
John H. Landrum Advocacy Award
Given to Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation, Florence, SC

2004 Friends of South Carolina Libraries
Outstanding Program Award for Garrison Keillor’s
“A Prairie Home Companion—The Rhubarb Tour”

2005 Friends of South Carolina Libraries
Public Service Award
Given to Senator Hugh Leatherman, Florence SC

2006 Friends of South Carolina Libraries
Business Award
Given to Piggly Wiggly, Florence, SC

2008 South Carolina Library Association
Friends of Library Award
Given to Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation, Florence, SC

2008 South Carolina Library Association
South Carolina Library Trustee of the Year
Dr. Julia Mims, Chairman, Florence County Library Board of Trustees

The Florence County Library offers storytimes for various ages. Registration is required. Registration for summer storytimes is from May 1 to May 30, 2008. For more information, contact Children’s Services at 292-7382. Storytimes are arranged in the following groups:

Mondays
Monday Evening Preschool Storytime (Ages 2-5) @ 7:00 PM

Tuesdays
Toddler Storytime (Ages 2 Only) @ 9:30 AM
Preschool Storytime (Ages 2-5) !@ 10:30 AM

Thursdays
Baby Storytimes (Ages 0-23 Months) Pre-Walkers @ 10:00 AM
Baby Storytimes (Ages 0-23 Months) Walkers @ 11:00 AM

Each week during the summer, a theme is selected. Books, songs and fingerplays are highlighted around the theme. The weekly themes for Summer Reading 2009 are:

June

• 7 - Ham It Up
• 14 - Let's Go Fishing
• 21 - Shake and Shine
• 28 - Sparkle and Shine

July

• 5 - Let's Put on a Show
• 14 - Scrubbing Bubbles

Special Summer Programming will be held on Wednesdays @ 3:00 pm in the Public Meeting Room at the Florence County Library. Programs are scheduled for the following dates:

June

• 10 - African Folklore OrisiRisi
• 17 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef
• 24 - Magician: Fish the Magish

July

• 1 - Movie: Bedtime Stories
• 8 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood
• 15 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson

Lake City Public Library 221 E. Main St - Lake City SC 29560 Special Summer Programming will be held on Wednesdays @ 11:30am in the Public Meeting Room at the Lake City Public Library. Programs are scheduled for the following dates: June 10 - African Folklore OrisiRisi 17 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef 24 - Magician: Fish the Magish July 1 - Movie: Bedtime Stories 8 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood 15 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson The Lake City Public Library will offer Preschool Storytimes on Wednesdays @ 9:30am in the Public Meeting Room. Registration is required. For more information, contact the Lake City Public Library at 394-8071.

Pamplico Public Library 180 Main Street - Pamplico, SC 29583 Special Summer Programming will be held at the Pamplico Public Library on Tuesdays @ 3:00pm in the Public Meeting Room. Programs are scheduled on the following dates: June 9 - African Folklore OrisiRisi 16 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef 23 - Magician: Fish the Magish July 7 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood 14 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson

Johnsonville Elementary School 160 E. Marion Street - Johnsonville SC 29555 Johnsonville Elementary School will serve as a Community Partner with the library for Special Summer Programming. Programs will be held on Tuesdays @ 11:30 am. For more information, contact the Johnsonville Public Library at 386-2052: June 9 - African Folklore OrisiRisi 15 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef 23 - Magician: Fish the Magish July 7 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood 14 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson

Olanta Public Library 404 East Hampton St - Olanta SC 29114 Programs will be held on Mondays @ 11:30 am. For more information, contact Olanta Public Library at 396-4287. Programs are scheduled for the following dates: June 8 - African Folklore OrisiRisi 15 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef 22 - Magician: Fish the Magish July 6 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood 13 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson

Timmonsville Boys and Girls Club (Old Johnson Middle School) 620 N. Brockington St - Timmonsville, SC 29161 Timmonsville Boys and Girls Club is a Community Partner with the library for Special Summer Programming. Programs will be held Mondays @ 3:00 pm at the Boys and Girls Club. For more information, contact the Timmonsville Public Library at 346-2941: June 8 - African Folklore OrisiRisi 15 - Interactive Theatre Mime: Jef 22 - Magician: Fish the Magish July 6 - Porkchop Production: Little Red Riding Hood 13 - Ventriloquist: Ron Johnson

The movies for the coming months are as follows:

• June 7: Tale of Desperaeux (Rated G)
• June 14: Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too (Rated G)
• June 21: Hotel for Dogs (Rated PG)
• June 28: Pinnochio (Rated G)
• July 12: Inkheart (Rated PG)
• July 19: Surprise Summer Movie

July 2 @ 6:00 PM: Movie - "Flash of Genius"
Starring Greg Kinnear - Rated PG-13.


July 9 @ 6:30 PM: Ice-Cream Making
With Deborah Parnell - Distinguished County Agent - Clemson University Extension.


July 16 @ 6:30 PM: Author Ken Burger
He will discuss his new book: Swallow Savannah: A South Carolina Story. In the words of Pat Conroy, “Ken Burger has written a humdinger of a novel."

This summer, the Florence County Library Book Club will continue exploring works by and about females. Books to be discussed include the following novels:

• July 16: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
• August 20: Murder in Chinatown by Victoria THompson

Book Club meetings will be held in the Library’s Board Room on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. For more information, please contact Elizabeth at 413-7081.

The Teen Summer Reading Program, Express Yourself @ your library, will begin on June 11. Programs are on Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Main Meeting Room.

• June 11: Learn Steel Drumming with Chris Lee
• June 18: Kelley's Fine Arts will lead a Dance Program
• June 25: Mark Buxton teaches how to make Balloon Animals
• July 2: Movie chosen by the teens to help commemorate July 4th
• July 9: Take recyclable materials and make art
• July 16: Pizza Party (By Invitation Only)

All programs are FREE and open to rising 6th through 12th graders. Registration is required. Registration is open May 1st through May 29th.Please call 292-7382 or come by the Children’s Service Desk to register.

The Teen Summer Reading Program, Express Yourself @ your library, will begin on June 11. Programs are on Thursdays at 12:00pm in the Main Meeting Room.

• June 11: Learn Steel Drumming with Chris Lee
• June 18: Kelley's Fine Arts will lead a Dance Program
• June 25: Mark Buxton teaches how to make Balloon Animals
• July 2: Movie chosen by the teens to help commemorate July 4th
• July 9: Take recyclable materials and make art
• July 16: Pizza Party (By Invitation Only)

All programs are FREE and open to rising 6th through 12th graders. Registration is required. Registration is open May 1st through May 29th. Please contact 394-8071 to register for those programs.

Free and open to all 6th throught 12th graders. Refreshments will be provided. Upcoming movies and dates are:

• June 9: Paul Blart: Mall Cop
• June 16: New in Town
• June 23: Madea Goes to Jail
• June 30: Inkheart
• July 7: Confessions of a Shopaholic
• July 14: Push

Art, like literature, captures the imagination, the moment, and the emotions. The Florence County Library System is one of 10 Florence County public and school libraries to be awarded a kit to enhance the study of history, social studies, language arts, literature, and civics.

The library system was awarded 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art and a comprehensive teacher’s resource book to facilitate the use of the works of art in core subjects. Picturing America’s resources are designed to allow each work of art to enhance the study of American history, social studies, language arts, literature, and civics. Images will be shared among and on display at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, the Dozier M. Munn Pamplico Public Library, and the Lake City Public Library.

For more information about Picturing America, follow the link to www.picturingamerica.neh.gov. For more information about the Picturing America displays in the Florence County Library System call the Florence County Library System at (843)2 92-7363 or e-mail picturingamerica@florencelibrary.org.

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs Satellite Office will be helping citizens with their consumer complaints from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month in Room 250 at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library.

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs announces the grand opening for a new satellite location in Florence, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am at the Florence County Public Library with a symbolic ribbon-cutting. The Florence County legislative delegation and other county dignitaries and officials will be on hand to commemorate the opening.

“We are extremely pleased with the support we have received from the Florence County Library System in bringing this consumer service to the area. Because of the collaborative effort with Executive Director Ray McBride and Information Services Manager Aubrey Carroll, and the support of South Carolina’s General Assembly, Department staff will be able to meet with consumers on a regular basis and provide the information and resources they need,” said SCDCA Agency Administrator Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston.

The Department will continue to visit the library each month and invites area residents to bring their consumer concerns, questions and complaints to the library on scheduled Consumer Affairs days. SCDCA Outreach Coordinator Hugh Crofoot will represent the Department during each of these visits. He will also be available to consumers via phone, e-mail, or appointment by request Monday through Friday.

“The opening of a satellite office allows us to have face-to-face feedback with consumers while providing timely responses and information. I appreciate the opportunity to serve this vibrant and growing community and look forward to getting involved,” said Crofoot.

The Department currently has satellite offices in Gaffney, Laurens, Spartanburg, Newberry, Greenwood, Summerville, Boiling Springs and Landrum with regularly scheduled visits to all locations. For more information, contact the Public Information Division at 803.734.4190, toll free in SC at 1.800.922.1594, or online at www.scconsumer.gov.

About the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs:

Established by the Consumer Protection code in 1974, The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs represents the interests of South Carolina Consumers. Our mission is to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, mediation, enforcement and education.