The Teen Services Department of the Florence County Library System and Kaplan Testing Center are offering a FREE practice SAT test on August 23, 2008. The test is open to all 9th through 12th graders only. You will learn the format of the test and take the test in a situation similar to a real test day. This is a practice test, not a skills course. It will be from 8:45 am to approximately 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 23. The test is around four hours long and will be given in the main meeting room of the Florence County Library. Registration is required by August 20, 2008. A meeting will be held on August 26, 2008 at 6:15 to receive scores and talk about results. To register, or if you have any questions, please call Julie Vaught at 413-7083.

This fall, the Florence County Library Book Club will begin exploring books by and about women. The Library Book Club plans to discuss:

• August 21: Joan Hess’s Dear Miss Demeanor
• September 18: Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring
• October 16: Sue Monk Kidd’s The Mermaid Chair
• November 20: Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl

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

This Fall, the South Carolina Bar Association’s Pro Bono Program will sponsor three legal clinics at the Florence County Library from 6:30-8 p.m. Seminar topics and dates are as follows:

• September 9: Family and Divorce Law with Michele Krize, Esq.
• October 7: Wills, Estates and Probate with Daniel Hart, Esq.
• November 3: Landlord/Tenant Issues with Christopher Riddle, Esq.

The September 9th clinic will be held in the Library’s Founders’ Room while the October 7th and November 3rd seminar will take place in the Library’s Main Meeting Room. Admission is free. Registration is not required. For more information, please contact Elizabeth at 413-7081.

This fall, the Florence County Library will offer educational seminars each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s Main Meeting Room. Admission is free. The seminar schedule is as follows:

• September 18: Small Business Seminar with Dr. Joe Aniello


• October 1: SC Business One Stop - A demonstration of the SC-BOS online resource with Liz Mason of the SC Dept. of Revenue.


• October 16: Asset protection for seniors with Hugh Crofoot of the SC Dept. of Consumer Affairs. Registration is required.


• November 6: Veteran's Day Program. Afghanistan, A Front Line Perspective with Col. Barry F. Wingard.

For more information about any of these events, please contact the Reference desk at 413-7074 or Elizabeth at 413-7081.

The Florence County Library System will host the 5th Annual Children’s Fall Festival at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 12 noon to 4:00 pm.

The festival, which is funded by the Florence County Library System and The Friends of the Florence County Library, seeks to promote both early and family literacy. The annual event attracts about 3,000 children and families each year and features something for everyone including balloon sculpting, face painting and crafts. Children will have the opportunity to get an up close view of community helpers as members of the police and fire department will be part of the festivities with a fire truck and police car. Dewey D. Fox, the Florence County Library’s official mascot will be on hand for his first festival appearance. Food will be for sale during the event.

Children will be treated to some live vocals and innovative puppetry as Lee Bryan aka “The Puppet Guy” makes all ages smile with his wholesome family entertainment. Variety entertainer Mark Lippard returns to this year’s festival with his juggling, unicycle tricks and comedy. Lippard’s shows are fast-paced and full of surprises, which is sure to energize all ages. Musical guest Pantasia Steel Band will mix calypso, island favorites, and beach tunes. They are sure to keep the atmosphere lively and festive.

This year, Diane deGroat will be the featured guest during the festival. She is best known for her books “Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink” “Brand New Pencils, Brand New Books” and her latest work “Mother, You’re the Best (But Sister, You’re a Pest).” DeGroat will have a discussion of her work during the festival at 1:00 pm (for younger children) and 3:00 pm (for older children), with autograph sessions to follow. Books illustrated by deGroat will be for sale to the public courtesy of Barnes and Noble.

For more information about this free family event, please call Children’s Services at (843) 292-7382.

Children’s Services are pleased to announce that Fall Registration has begun for programming at the Florence County Library. Registration begins on August 1 and ends August 31, 2008. Program dates are from September 2 to December 14. The fall programs are scheduled as follows:

Monday Evening Storytime

Every Monday Evening @ 7:00 p.m. for children 2-5 years of age




Toddler Storytime

Every Tuesday Morning @ 9:30 a.m. for children 2 years of age




Preschool Storytime

Every Tuesday Morning @ 10:30 a.m. for children 3-5 years of age




Bookworms Book Club

Every Fourth Tuesday of each month @ 3:30 p.m. for children grades 3-5




Tweens Program

Every Wednesday Afternoon @ 3:30 p.m. for children grades 3-5




Baby Storytime

Every Thursday Morning @ 10:00 a.m. for Non-walkers & @ 11:00 a.m. for Walkers. For children 0-23 months of age




Afterschool Program

Every Thursday Afternoon @ 3:30 p.m. for children grades 5K-2




Sunday Family Movies

Every Sunday Afternoon @ 2:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Children’s Services at 292-7382 or by email at kids@florencelibrary.org.

The Florence County Library System is one of 10 library systems working with the South Carolina State Library to launch SchoolRooms, an online multimedia learning portal for students anywhere from Kindergarten to the 12th grade. The State Library hopes to have SchoolRooms available to all South Carolina citizens by the start of the new school year this fall.

This project was designed to improve learning in South Carolina, to meet students' needs, and to be a tool for parents who play an integral role in helping their children continue learning outside the classroom.

Using SchoolRooms, students can search:

• Schools and public libraries
• Interactive educational media
• The Web
• Other valuable sources of knowledge
• Resources handselected by educators and librarians

SchoolRooms has been built to encompass the entire U.S. K-12 curriculum, covering 75 major topic areas and includes access to thousands of educator-selected and educator-certified Websites. SchoolRooms is a portal to the best content available online.

Look for the SchoolRooms logo at the bottom of this page or Click Here to get started using SchoolRooms.

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.