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South Carolina Libraries South Carolina Libraries

Volume 7 Issue 2 Article 7

November 2023

Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina

Virginia Cononie

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/scl_journal

Part of the Library and Information Science Commons

Recommended Citation Recommended Citation

Cononie, Virginia (2023) "Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina,"

South Carolina Libraries

: Vol.

7: Iss. 2, Article 7.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51221/sc.scl.2023.7.2.7

Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/scl_journal/vol7/iss2/7

This Featured Article is brought to you by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in South Carolina

Libraries by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact

digres@mailbox.sc.edu.

Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina

Abstract Abstract

The second edition of "Share your Story" includes stories from school libraries, academic libraries, and

public libraries in South Carolina. Stories depict successes, activities and events in libraries from

2022-2023. This edition was given to South Carolina Legislators to share the impact libraries have on their

constituents.

Letters at the beginning of the book are written from South Carolina Library leaders including SCLA

Advocacy Committee, the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, Partnership Among South

Carolina Academic Libraries Executive Director, SC Association of Public Library Administrators President

and Friends of South Carolina Libraries President.

Stories are organized by Federal Legislator's district.

Keywords Keywords

South Carolina Libraries, Library Advocacy, School Libraries, Advocacy

This featured article is available in South Carolina Libraries: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/scl_journal/vol7/iss2/7

Libraries Support

South Carolina

2022 - 2023: Share your Story

Megan Palmer

SCLA

Immediate Past President

SCLA Advocacy Committee

Reading is vital to an

informed society.

Libraries provide access to information and

support their local communities through

various initiatives, such as helping with

employment and social work and supporting

local businesses. Libraries, specifically

school and public libraries, have been under

attack for providing diverse and inclusive

books.

As librarians, we believe that the freedom to

read is vital to our democracy (as first

outlined by the American Library

Association in 1954). This right is

guaranteed by our constitution. Parents can

and should guide their own children’s

reading, but they cannot dictate what other

children can read. Libraries are for everyone

and offer books that share different

perspectives and experiences.

This year’s Share Your Story highlights the

exciting things libraries across our state

have done over the past year. I urge

legislators to find their districts to see what

opportunities students and community

members experience in their libraries.

Libraries are amazing places staffed by

caring, dedicated library workers that are

conscientious stewards of library

funding and resources. Familiarize

yourself with what your local libraries are

doing and reach out to those librarians for

more information.

Virginia Cononie

SCLA Advocacy Committee

It's been my joy to receive

each of the stories for this

collection. As you read through each story, it will

become evident that SC Libraries are truly excellent

and deserve every recognition possible.

Each page paints a picture of how libraries in your

district are using funding, creating programming,

supporting students, making life easier for their

patrons and saving them money. That's just

scratching the surface of all the wonderful things

libraries do daily.

Now comes your part: I am asking you to support

libraries by renewing your belief in our profession.

Censorship challenges and book bans are actively

taking place every day in libraries across our state,

despite the fact that libraries have policies for

reviewing materials, the deselection and acquisition

of titles, and protecting the right to read. We need

your confidence in what libraries do and we need

your energy, commitment, and voice to share how

libraries act with professionalism and

conscientiousness. With your support, libraries

can meet the needs of your constituents, foster

an environment of learning, and continue to

grow a culture of shared knowledge.

Many of the libraries showcased throughout these

pages are inviting you to visit. It is my sincere hope

that you take them up on the special invitation.

Chances are, if you visit, you'll see smiling faces,

patrons interacting with library professionals, and

many creative programs such as book clubs, STEM

interactive challenges, green screen activities,

community engagement, and much more. Visit your

library, connect with the community and explore all

that each have to offer.

1 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

on a daily basis. They end up being a “fixer” of

many things, from chromebooks, to tablets, to

document cameras. The school library is even

called a media center in a large part of our state

and nation, due to the nature of the librarian’s job

managing and maintaining a collection of nonprint

resources and digital devices - so much more

than books - in today’s age.

It goes without saying that school librarians are in

charge of a great deal of acquisitions for the

school. The ideal library collection should be

robust, with print and non-print resources that are

up-to-date and grade-level appropriate for the

school where they are housed. Librarians have

the skills and expertise necessary to make fair

and educated decisions about what kinds of

materials their schools need; and as daunting a

task as it is, this is a very important aspect of the

job.

Students and educators across grade levels

need and want different things from their

school library, but no matter their age or

school, they all benefit from having access to

a well stocked library with a skilled school

librarian at the helm. Our state is full of these

magical places, with these wonderful people,

and South Carolina is better for it.

Thank you to all of those who have submitted

stories to this volume so that the rest of the world

can see the greatness within the walls of libraries

in South Carolina. And thank you to all of YOU -

readers who care enough to learn about the

differences libraries make in the lives of South

Carolina’s students, teachers, patrons, and

citizens every single day.

Amy Marshall

2022-23 SCASL Advocacy Chair

On behalf of the South Carolina Association of

School Librarians, I would like to welcome you

to this edition of Share Your Story. Our

association (SCASL) is composed of public

and non-public, active and retired school

librarians from K-12 settings across the state.

We work tirelessly to make sure students from

all walks of life have access to information, no

matter where they live or who they are. We

share resources with our fellow educators,

teachers and administrators who are serving

our patrons in different capacities. School

librarians are teachers, media specialists,

technology gurus, and librarians, serving

whatever needs arise at their individual

schools, and in their surrounding

communities.

What does a day in the life of a school

librarian look like? As it varies greatly from

school to school, we would be sure to find

librarians sharing the joy of reading, and the

magic of words between the pages of a book.

A large part of the day is spent on reader’s

advisory, as the librarian is a fount of

knowledge when it comes to the age-old

question, “Do you know of any good books

lately?” School libraries are full of classes

whose teachers have brought them for

lessons on research skills, like choosing the

correct resources for certain purposes, or

citing sources, lessons on digital citizenship

skills, lessons using technology to learn

content in a new way, and so much more.

Many librarians see all of their students on a

rotating schedule each week, while some see

students who visit on an as-needed basis. The

library is a hub of activity and a place where

large portions of students like to “hang out” as

they navigate their day. Many school librarians

are the technology point for their school and

answer multiple questions regarding devices

and software that students and teachers use o Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 2

South Carolina’s

academic libraries serve over 229,000 students

throughout the state, providing support for

teaching, learning, and research. There is a rich

20-year history of collaboration across these

libraries, greatly enhancing the resources

available to students well-beyond the capability

of any individual institution. The primary vehicle

for this successful work is a 57-member

academic library consortium, the Partnership

Among South Carolina Academic Libraries

(PASCAL).

PASCAL’s membership encompasses virtually

all of South Carolina’s institutions of higher

education, providing a powerful model for

creative collaboration among libraries. Housed

within the South Carolina Commission on

Higher Education (CHE), the consortium

provides critical resources and support to the

state’s academic libraries including: technology

infrastructure and support through a shared

Library System Management for 55 libraries and

authentication software that enables remote

access to resources for 46 libraries; core

academic databases and e-books; a statewide

rapid print-delivery service; a developing digital

document delivery service; training and

professional development; and the South

Carolina Affordable Learning (SCALE) initiative.

Through PASCAL, libraries are able to provide

greater resources and services, at a lower cost,

than individual libraries could provide on their

own. Member librarians work together,

through multiple committees and working groups,

to improve and expand our shared systems,

services, and resources.

In 2022, engagement among members was

stronger than ever, reflecting our

commitment to improving library services

through collaboration. We began work to

expand our long-standing print delivery

service to include digital delivery of articles

and chapters from the state-wide collection of

over 12 million volumes. Member teams

began exploring how to leverage our shared

infrastructure for collaborative collection

analysis and management.

We added new resources, including Mometrix

eLibrary, a robust database of test preparation

materials for career and professional

certifications that will help South Carolina

students preparing to enter the workforce.

Through our Affordable Learning Grants

program, we awarded micro-grants to seven

institutions to support faculty adoption of no-cost

course materials.

Our team is privileged to see firsthand the value

that academic libraries provide to their campus

communities. Support of academic libraries at

both the institution level and statewide through

PASCAL has allowed us to build a highly

effective information framework for students in

higher education.

Thank you for your continued support of South

Carolina’s libraries.

Rick Moul

Partnership Among

South Carolina

Academic Libraries

Executive Director

3 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Blair Hinson

SC Association of

Public Library

Administrators President

Libraries are for everyone.

Libraries are one of the few

remaining public institutions that are free and

open to anyone. Libraries and librarians take

that role seriously. Whether in K-12 education,

higher education, or in the community, libraries

purposefully try to represent everyone.

Whether this effort is in trying to make sure the

books and materials that libraries collect

represent the broad scope of the social and

political makeup of their communities, or it is in

the services libraries provide so that people

have access to the technology and connectivity

they need in today’s world, or in the outreach to

make sure libraries meet people where they

are, libraries strive to make the community a

better place.

We appreciate your past support of libraries.

While there are those who would try to

divide us, our society is always stronger

when we rise above our differences and try

to keep the real ideal alive: libraries are for

everyone.

We rely on you to help us provide for the people

who rely on us.

Kitty Spires

Friends of South Carolina

Libraries President

To quote American

writer, director, and

producer Sidney Sheldon,

“Libraries store the energy

that fuels the imagination. They open up windows

to the world and inspire us to explore and

achieve and contribute to improving our quality of

life. Libraries change lives for the better.”

The Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL)

are especially proud that we support, engage,

and promote South Carolina libraries. As the

overarching organization that works with Friends

groups from all libraries across South Carolina,

FOSCL works to bring awareness to the benefits

and positive outcomes that libraries bring to the

lives of South Carolina citizens. The Friends of

South Carolina Libraries are supportive to

encourage an increase in funding so that South

Carolina libraries are better able to meet the ever

increasing demands and opportunities for a

literate and informed public.

Libraries exist as the central location in each

community where citizens come together to

learn and grow. Libraries are designed to

engage communities in positive,

constructive, and life-changing information.

Albert Einstein once said, “The only thing you

absolutely have to know, is the location of the

library.” The Friends of South Carolina Libraries

exist in support of all libraries so that all South

Carolinians have the opportunity to know the

location of the nearest library. Always a Friend of

South Carolina Libraries.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 4

Chicora Elementary School, 7

Hanahan High School, 7

L. Mendel Rivers Library, 8

Lady Island Middle School Library, 9

Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School, 10

Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center, 10

Marrington Middle School of the Arts, 11

Mt. Pleasant Academy, 11

Rolling Middle School of the Arts Library, 12

Sangaree Middle School, 12

ABBE Regional Library System, 13

Aiken County Public Schools, 14

Chapin Elementary School, 15

East Aiken School of the Arts, 15

H.E. Corley Elementary, 16

Harbison West Elementary, 16

Lake Murray Elementary Library, 17

Lexington County Public Library, 18

Nursery Road Elementary - Arts Magnet, 19

Oak Point Elementary School, 19

Richland Northeast High School, 20

South Congaree Pine Ridge Library, 21

USC Libraries, 22

Westwood High School Library, 22

Clemson Elementary's Margaret Morrison Media

Center, 23

Clemson University Libraries, 24

Clinton Middle School, 25

Concrete Primary, 25

Easley High School, 26

Gray Court-Owings Media Center, 26

Hunt Meadows Elementary, 27

Laurens Middle School Library, 27

Mount Lebanon Elementary School Library

Media Center, 28

Oconee County Public Library, 28

Palmetto Elementary School, 29

Pomaria- Garmany Elementary School, 29

Powdersville High School, 30

Reuben Elementary School, 30

Randolph Gordon School, 31

Wren High School Library, 32

West Pelzer Elementary School, 32

District 1

District 2

District 3

Abner Creek Academy, 33

Bethel Elementary School, 33

Christ Church Episcopal School, 34

Greenville County Library System, 35

Fountain Inn High Schoo

Hughes Academy of Science and Technology, 37

Marie Blair Burgess Library & Learning Resource

Center, 37

Spartanburg Public Library, 38-39

Taylors Elementary - The Oasis at Taylors, 40

USC Upstate Library, 41

Woodland Heights Elementary, 42

Woodmont High, 43

Woodruff High School, 43

Camden Middle School, 44

Castle Heights Middle School Library, 45

Dutchman Creek Media Center, 46

Fortmill Middle School Media Center, 47

India Hook Elementary School Library, 48

Indian Land High School, 48

Lee County Public Library, 49

Lesslie Elementary Library, 50

Lugoff Elgin Middle School, 51

Mt. Gallant Elementary School, 51

Nation Ford High School Media Center, 52

North Central Middle School, 52

Northside Elementary School of the Arts, 53

Roebuck Elementary School, 54

Sumter County Library, 54

Sumter County Schools, 55

Wilder Elementary Library Media Center, 56

Greenwood Elementary School, 57

North Hartsville Elementary, 57

Plainview Elementary School, 58

Sampit Elementary School, 58

Southside Middle School Library, 59

Williams Middle School Media Center, 60

Wilson High School, 61

District 4

& Mauldin High School, 36

District 5

District 6

District 7

Library Index

5 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Selected License:

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0

International Creative Commons License

Hundreds of students joined their teachers in a parade from the State Library to the South Carolina

State House grounds for Read-In 2022.

As the crowd filled the steps, kids chanted, “Kids Who Read Succeed,” to declare the importance of

reading to the legislators inside.

For the first time, we offered a virtual component for students who could not travel to Columbia. The

Read-In is the State Library’s largest event, making a substantial impact statewide. Submitted by

Ellen Dunn.

1500 Senate St.

Columiba, SC 29201

http://statelibrary.sc.gov

South Carolina State Library

Declaring the importance of

reading to State House

legislators...

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 6

I was able to start a school-wide family

book club (with a social-emotional focus)

thanks to the help of Project Prevent (a

school business partner).

Each month a selected book for 1-2 & 3-5 is

sent home with every student to read

together as a family. A zoom meeting is

created for the families to join where we can

discuss the books and share thoughts and

opinions together. Submitted by Melissa

Zahler.

Chicora Elementary School

3100 Carner Ave.

North Charleston, SC 29405

HHS Library recently secured a VR system to

link students with cutting edge technology. The

VR set was purchased via grant funds secured

by School Librarian, Dr. Charlene Zehner.

This system will circulate throughout the school

and be used to promote immersive learning

experiences that are active and immediately

engaging. Submitted by Charlene Zehner.

The Hanahan High School Library is

promoting "immersive learning

experiences that are active and

immediately engaging."

Hanahan High School

6015 Murray Drive

Hanahan, SC 29410

District 1

7 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 1

In 2022 the L. Mendel Rivers Library

at Charleston Southern University

introduced new programs to aid

student and faculty success.

A puzzle and a coloring table were

added to provide stress-reducing

break opportunities for students while

studying.

L. Mendel Rivers Library

9200 University Blvd.

Charleston, SC 29406

https://library.csuniv.edu/

A monthly YA Book Lovers club was

created to freely discuss a wide

variety of young adult material.

Librarian Karen Meharg, a certified

ambassador for BreakoutEDU,

implemented “Escape Room” activities

for various classes.

"...breakout activities encourage

students to collaboratively think

outside of the box"

From College Algebra to Education

courses, the interactive activities allow

professors review course content in a

challenging, fun, and engaging way.

The breakout activities encourage

students to collaboratively think

outside the box, while reinforcing

concepts and materials discussed in

class.

Pictured: Education majors review US historical

documents through an Escape Room activity.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 8

District 1

Lady Island Middle School Library

30 Cougar Drive

Beaufort, SC 29907

https://lims.beaufortschools.net/

student-life/media-center

Lady's Island Middle School is a diverse Title I school with so many wonderful library users! We

have had much activity this school year with collaborations in the library with teachers. For metric

week we measured (in metric of course) and sewed coasters.

Our amazing art teacher and her art club made beautiful backdrops for our bookshelves. We had

lots of fun engineering and coding projects in the makerspace using some borrowed Spheros and

Lego Spike Primes. Then we worked on getting a few of our own Spike Primes through

DonorsChoose.

Our bookclubs are reading through the SCASL Junior Book Award list (which we were able to get

multiple copies through DonorsChoose). They also participated in the Big Library Read. We had

student government candidates record their speeches in our studio as well as take their pictures and

design their posters in Canva.

We are excited to keep our library momentum going in 2023 with a Lunar New Year Celebration in

the Makerspace as well as our SC Junior Book Award Voting Party in February. Submitted by

Joanna Sargent.

"We have had much

activity this school

year with

collaborations in

the library with

teachers."

9 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 1

Our little scholars were excited to learn about

what it means to be a leader. We interviewed our

teachers, Principals, and Resource Officer. We

then researched other leaders in our local, state,

and national government using a variety of books

and databases.

The students made a list of attributes that a

leader should have and imagined what kind of

leader they would like to be.

Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center

3180 Thomasina McPherson Blvd

North Charleston, SC 29405

https://sites.google.com/charleston.

k12.sc.us/maryfordlibrary/home

We are creators in our library and produce a

daily news show including announcements,

birthdays, guest appearances by administrators,

student speeches and everyone's favorite, jokes!

The green screen painted by our school maintenance crew and our fantastic Media Cart make the

show more professional and fun for the students. Submitted by E. Kim Livingston.

Mamie P. Whitesides

Elementary School

1565 Rifle Range Road

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

sites.google.com/charleston.k12.sc.us/whit

esides-elementary-school-l/media-center

"We are creators in our library..."

"...we used a green screen to create

"Presidential Portraits."

To help them visualize themselves as a leader in the highest office - we used a green screen to

create "Presidential Portraits". We now have a hallway picture gallery full of future presidents!

Submitted by Katherine Freligh.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 10

One obstacle our library had was room for a makerspace. We overcame that obstacle by making our

space mobile! We repurposed a large metal cabinet that is on wheels. It can be easily wheeled into

the library and stored in the AV room. Submitted by Tiffany Anderson.

Students at MPA have been using Makespace to extend

their learning from literature.

After reading a picture book, students identify a problem

in the story and create a solution to the problem. In

collaborative groups, they use the makerspace to bring

their solutions to life. Think. Plan. Create.

Mt. Pleasant Academy

605 Center St.

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

https://sites.google.com/charleston.k12.sc.u

s/tiffanyanderson/home

"We overcame that obstacle by

making our space mobile!"

District 1

Librarian Carrie Courtney, assistant Jenn Fisher, career

counselor Jessica Galati, and secretary Adrienne Reid

have worked with students at Marrington Middle School

of the Arts to host monthly Book Club and Craft Corner

meetings. Book Club meetings start with a discussion

of what students are currently reading and conclude

with an activity.

Marrington Middle School of the Arts

109 Gearing St.

Goose Creek, SC 29445

https://www.bcsdschools.net/Domain/3589

Thus far, students have created a Storybook Pumpkin Patch (decorate a pumpkin to represent one’s

book), 6 Word Memoirs (describe one’s book in 6 words), and Book Snaps (digitally represent one’s

book with annotations and images). Craft Corner meetings have included a sundry of creative

activities: backpack charms, squeegee painting, fingerprint emotion painting, bookmark origami,

edible cornucopias, fork-painted trees, and paper bag snowflakes. Additionally, every Marrington

student participated in library “Read-Ins” (aka Books and Blankets) in December during their ELA

classes. Students spent their ELA class cozied up in the library reading and relaxing with candy

canes. Activities like these occur regularly and have built a strong library presence in our students’

daily lives. Submitted by Carrie Courtney.

11 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

This year we have been able to teach

about primary sources with our eighth

grade in both social studies

and ELA classes.

Connecting library skills across the

curriculum is a goal here at Sangaree

Middle. Social studies classes learned

about causes of the Revolutionary War using period newspapers, letters, and diaries.

English classes used period photographs to gain background knowledge for their class novel.

Embedding research skills now will help students succeed in high school and college! Submitted

by Alana Lewis.

Sangaree Middle School

1050 Discovery Drive

Ladson, SC 29456

"Connecting library skills across

the curriculum is a goal here at

Sangaree Middle."

District 1

Instead of having a regular lunch period, our

middle school students have ILT (independent

learning time). Because of this, we are able to

offer special activities in the library which all

three grades can access.

Rollings Middle School of the

Arts Library

1635 Beech Hill Rd

Summerville, SC 29485

https://sc01916099.schoolwires

.net/Domain/9189

A popular offering is access to STEM materials during ILT. Students work together to build with

Legos, Keva blocks, and other building materials. They are able to practice collaborating and

getting hands on experience with basic engineering principles. Students especially enjoy creating

race tracks with the Keva blocks for marbles and balls, as well as recreating items using only

Legos. Submitted by Ann Bennett.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 12

In March of 2020, librarians recognized that families needed help providing their children with

activities that support learning at home.

Library staff took up the challenge and

created curriculum-related activity kits.

The thirteen libraries across Aiken,

Bamberg, Barnwell, and Edgefield Counties distributed 7,160 activity kits as of January 2023.

The kits focused on appealing to children through play-centered learning and were designed with

the guiding principle that not everyone can afford an activity kit subscription or learning toys. One

of the first group of kits, “Literacy to Go” included books and language development activities.

These kits generated this feedback from a teacher at Macedonia Elementary in Blackville: “Mom

is stressed over being on bedrest for 35 week pregnancy. She is not able to play and care for

other children like she wants. Mom is not typically one to read with her children. I took her the

bag last week. Today she told me that recently she has been doing more with her children. She

is using an ABBE literacy bag with children. I just want to share this story with you because I was

so thankful with how this family is having brain-building moments from the bag you shared with

us!”

The kits received favorable reviews from our patrons and the most often heard statement from

caregivers was that they appreciated screen free activities with a focus on creativity and learning.

ABBE Regional Library System

314 Chesterfield St.

Aiken, SC 29801

www.abbe-lib.org

District 2

The creation of these kits was

made possible through several

funding sources; Save the

Children Library Service and

Technology Act grants from the

Institute of Museum and Library

Services administered by the

South Carolina State Library,

Savannah River Nuclear

Solutions, Tri-County Community

Foundation and the Friends of the

Library groups from Aiken,

Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield,

and Jackson libraries.

"The thirteen libraries across Aiken, Bamberg,

Barnwell, and Edgefield Counties distributed 7,160

activity kits as of January 2023."

13 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Nine years ago, Cheryl Curtis, the librarian at Chukker Creek Elementary at the time, envisioned

bringing Battle of the Books to Aiken County. Battle of the Books is a quiz bowl-style competition in

which teams read a pre-selected list of ten books and then work together to answer questions

relating to the story. This program kicks off near the beginning of the school year and culminates

with a district competition in the latter part of April.

Aiken County Public Schools

274 East Pine Log Road

Aiken, SC 29803

District 2

The first year, Mrs. Curtis started the program in her own school. The second year, a group of seven

elementary schools conducted a district competition, and it began in one middle school-Kennedy

Middle. Since that year, Battle of the Books has continued to grow by leaps and bounds in Aiken

County now involving 18 of the 21 elementary schools and 10 of the 11 middle schools.

This school year, two high schools are getting on board as well. Beyond just those numbers, which

are impressive in and of themselves, are the hundreds of students this program reaches each year

to encourage reading broadly, critically, and for pleasure as well as promoting healthy competition

among teams, schools, and librarians.

Many adults from within the schools have begun participating in the program to challenge their

students to be seen as readers and to encourage them to compete. The librarians of Aiken County

are very proud of the growth and continued success of this program. Submitted by Michelle King.

Battle of the Books

encourages...

"reading broadly,

critically, and for pleasure

as well as promotes

healthy competition

among teams, schools,

and librarians."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 14

Lots of different learning and experiences

take place in our library as well as begin

in the library and expand to other locations.

While our students visit the library to

select books, learn about research, and

engage in technology-focused projects,

they also come to the library for

Rotary Readers, a community partnership

where students participate in book clubs

with volunteers from our local Rotary Club.

Students enjoyed visiting the winter book swap where they chose "new to them" books to have

fresh books for winter break. We have a second book swap the end of school to provide students

books for the summer.

Each month students join in our reading celebrations as a reward for meeting their reading goals;

we participate in arts activities that tie to our schoolwide reading theme. The goal of our all of our

library programming is to engage students with literacy and provide opportunities for them to

read, explore, and learn! Submitted by Melanie Starks.

My story is the story of a happy librarian.

I have a smile on my face every day because I

love what I do, and I love where I work. My goal is

to make the library a fun place to be, and I try to

do that by showing students how amazing books

are!

Chapin Elementary School

940 Old Bush River Rd.

Chapin, SC 29036

District 2

East Aiken School of the Arts

223 Old Wagener Rd.

Aiken, SC 29801

I am pretty confident that most of the students at CES enjoy their library time, and it absolutely

makes my day to hear them say so. I think the key to our success is that my assistant and I love

these kiddos, and we enjoy sharing the library with them. The students know they are welcome. It is

a happy place to be. Submitted by Deedee Taylor.

15 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

In the fall of 2022 at Harbison West Elementary,

we have added a Social and Emotional

collection/section in the library.

This is made up of books that were already in

circulation along with new titles. These titles focus

on four main categories: Building Relationships,

Be A Hero! Positive Behaviors, Celebrating

Diversity, and Understanding Emotions.

Each topic is labeled and available to staff,

students and parents. These books help to grow

students socially and emotionally as they move in

and out of situations in their daily life.

I have begun letting some of the kindergarten

classes read to one of our library’s stuffed

animals.

I modeled how to do a picture walk and read

the pictures to a plush friend. The students love

this and often ask when we will do it again!

Encouraging the love of books with our young

students makes my heart happy! Submitted by

Beth Lester.

H.E. Corley Elementary

1500 Chadford Road,

Irmo, SC 29063

District 2

Harbison West Elementary

257 Crossbow Drive

Columbia, SC 29212

https://sites.google.com/lexrich5.org/hwes-library

"I have begun letting some of the

kindergarten classes read to one of our

library’s stuffed animals."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 16

Lake Murray Elementary Library is the heart of the school! We welcome readers all day long! Mrs.

DiMaria, the librarian, hosts the Read-Along Club each morning to give fourth-grade students an

opportunity to start the day

off right, with a book! Students

read along using the Learning Ally program.

Our elementary readers are inspired by regular book commercials on the morning announcements

to advertise the new books and series in the library. New books are showcased, displayed, and

pictured at the entrance. Mrs. DiMaria leads the Student News Team, who often help with these

advertisements. She also co-produces a Summer Reading Kick-Off with summer reading books

ideas and local programs! The Kick-Off is a reading themed play with music and entertainment

performed by faculty.

Other annual reading events include: SC Picture Book and Children’s Book Nominee program and

party; author visits; Fireflies Reading Program; and more! Each day, the library welcomes children

on passes throughout the day and operates on two flexible schedules. One for class check out and

another for lessons in the Story Room.

Library lessons taught incorporate story, music, crafts, and 21st-century skills such as: inquiry,

research, accessing information, and digital citizenship. Our younger students often make something

to remember the lesson, such as: a decoding ring for King and Kayla and the Case of the Secret

Code; a snow globe for Katy and the Big Snow, or a paper gingerbread house for The Gingerbread

Baby.

As students grow, they begin to use Discus Kids databases, paid resources, such as TrueFlix and

PebbleGo!, and reference materials. Our goals are: to help every child find the genre they love and

provide plenty for reading; to guide each student in accessing, evaluating, and using information to

support a lifelong learning attitude. Submitted by Rachel DiMaria.

Lake Murray Elementary Library

1531 Three Dog Road

Chapin, SC 29036

https://sites.google.com/lexrich5.org/lmeslibrarylounge

District 2

"Our goals are: to help every child find the

genre they love and provide plenty for reading."

17 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

A few years ago, a gentleman visited our

Lexington Main location needing assistance

with an online job application.

He spoke Spanish but not English and wanted

to apply for a position at Walter P. Rawl Farm in

Pelion. Meliannette Ruiz, a native Spanish

speaker working at that time in our circulation

department, assisted him. She remembers them

spending over an hour plugging away at the

application together.

Lexington County Public Library

5440 Augusta Road

Lexington, SC 29072

www.lexcolibrary.com

District 2

Fast forward to May 2022, and Ruiz, now working in our outreach department, was at an event at

Walter P. Rawl Farm. She was in the break room registering employees for library cards, and in

walked the patron she had assisted with the online application, now an employee of Walter P. Rawl

Farm.

As they conversed, the patron revealed he was looking to purchase a home in Lexington County and

asked Ruiz if the Mobile Library could provide a map of the area to help him research locations.

Lexington County Public Library was able to assist this patron, yet again, by printing out the map he

needed. We are building stronger communities every day through the invaluable work we do.

We don’t always see the outcome of the help we give or the time we spend with a patron. In this

instance, Ruiz witnessed the trajectory of this patron’s life change due to the impact of her direct

assistance. It is the motivation for us all to keep doing this critical work. Submitted by Kate Barry.

the patron spoke... "Spanish but not

English and wanted to apply for a

position at Walter P. Rawl Farm in

Pelion. Meliannette Ruiz, a native

Spanish speaker working at that time in

our circulation department, assisted

him."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 18

The librarian, Angela Durham, started off the

school by celebrating with students who read over

the summer break. They enjoyed a Summer

Reading Party with refreshments, play time and a

free book.

Fourth and Fifth grade students are learning

coding using the Dash and Sphero robots during

their Engineering Days. This collaborative project

extends into the school wide Family STEM Night

each year. The Engineering Day choices were

expanded to include Rigamajig kits for more

cooperative and challenging learning. The 2022

District 5 Foundation Grant will allow the library to

purchase more robots for the younger students to

enhance their critical thinking and coding skills.

The library at Nursery Road Elementary School-

Arts Magnet invites the school community to read,

research, make and play. We are an open-plan

space located in the very center of the school.

We want our students to become life-long library

users and so strive to make our area inviting and

exciting through displays and activities.

Our goal is to have students so excited about our

library programs and materials that if we had

doors they would be knocking them down to get

in.

Nursery Road Elementary - Arts Magnet

6706 Nursery Road

Columbia SC 29212

https://www.lexrich5.org/domain/5650

District 2

Oak Point Elementary School

1 River Bottom Road

Irmo, SC 29063

The Cafe F.A.B. participated in a book discussion with the Rumsey Hall School located in

Connecticut. Students expressed their impressions of the two books and shared special features

about their home state. Submitted by Angela Durham.

19 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

The Richland Northeast High School media

center has forged a successful collaborative

partnership with our public library system to help

our students meet their academic and

recreational information needs.

District 2

Richland Northeast High School

7500 Brookfield Road

Columbia, SC 29223

https://sites.google.com/richland2.org/rnhmediacenter/home

We invited staff from our local public library

branch to visit our school during Library Card

Sign-Up Month to promote their materials and

ensure our students are aware of additional

resources and services offered by the public

library.

During the summer, our media center worked

with public library staff to present information to

incoming students on ethical and responsible

information use. We also invited public library

staff to present book talks and share

programming opportunities with our school book

club.

In November, the media center worked with

teachers at our school to coordinate a field

study to one of the local branches so that our

students could learn more about research tools

available through the public library and conduct

independent research.

We are looking forward to continuing our

collaboration with our public library partners for

the benefit of our students! Submitted by

Pamela Williams.

"During the summer, our media center

worked with public library staff to

present information to incoming

students on ethical and responsible

information use."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 20

As summer began to wind down, so did Summer

Reading. With the start of school only a few days

out, the Friends supported the efforts of Tamela

Jett and the American Legion Auxiliary by

supplying our Friends’ tote bag so that students

would be able to collect supplies. At least 100

students from our local elementary schools were

impacted by the efforts of this “Tools for Schools”

program.

Library Junior Volunteers were delighted to have

pizza for their end of summer party. Junior

Volunteers are a necessary support to all the

programs of Summer Reading. Congrats to Olivia

Burggraff, Chandler Dorn, Marie Keller, Ethan

Lastinger and Faye Gwaltney.

What a great help they are for Miss Carol and the

staff. The Friends acknowledged their efforts with

a small stipend of cash to each on. Submitted by

Friends of South Congaree Pine Ridge Library.

District 2

What a fabulous time!

The Friends of the South Congaree Pine Ridge

Library collaborated with staff to design the best

Summer Reading program ever. Using the theme

“An Ocean of Possibilities” we were able to design

our own SCPR Beach complete with white sand,

umbrellas, sprinklers and sprayers and beach

chairs and toys.

Summer Reading Kickoff was an enormous

success and fun time. Kids and adults alike

enjoyed beach music, ice pops, designing a

Summer Reading themed t-shirt and games.

South Congaree Pine Ridge Library

200 Sunset Dr.

West Columbia, SC 29172

https://lexcolibrary.com/

21 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

"Summer Reading Kickoff was

an enormous success and fun

time. Kids and adults alike

enjoyed beach music, ice pops,

designing a Summer Reading

themed t-shirt and games."

In November, Westwood High School

Library's Book Club traveled to Charleston

to participate in YALLFest, an annual

celebration of young adult literature and

authors.

We were joined by students and

teachers from three other high school

libraries in Richland 2, Richland Northeast, Ridgeview, and Spring Valley High Schools. This has

been a highly anticipated activity every year since we started attending in 2018 because the

students just love getting to meet and interact with their favorite authors.

(See twitter link for more photos: https://twitter.com/WHS_LLC/status/1591626530924662785?

s=20&t=Z1WurBKipTpVlqDv4roVsg ) Submitted by Marti Brown.

Westwood High School Library

180 Turkey Farm Rd.

Blythewood, SC 29016

westwoodhslibrary.weebly.com

District 2

The University Libraries Undergraduate Research Awards recognize and reward excellence in

scholarly and creative projects that use USC Libraries collections, resources and services.

The awards highlight the value of information literacy by having students describe their

research process as part of the application procedure, and they encourage faculty to create

assignments that engage students in the use of library resources. Since the start of the awards

15 years ago, 57 students have been recognized with more than $19,700 in monetary prizes.

Submitted by USC Libraries.

USC Libraries

1322 Greene St.

Columbia SC 29208

sc.edu/libraries

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 22

The Clemson Elementary Media Center provides a welcoming environment allowing all students

to enjoy reading and fun learning opportunities. Many services are offered through the school

library.

The Media Specialist’s day is on a fixed/flexible schedule. Half of the day is dedicated to related

arts classes, while the remaining time each day is flexible. During related arts classes, age-

appropriate standards-based lessons are taught on library organization, research skills, genre

studies, author studies, seasonal topics, and more. Individual students or whole classes can visit

and check out books on a regular basis during flex times.

Classroom teachers are encouraged to collaborate with the Media Specialist for ideas and

needed resources for lessons. Technology support is another part of the library services

provided each day. The Media Specialist and the school’s Technology Assistant provide

troubleshooting assistance to the students,

faculty, and staff in the building

during the flexible times in the schedule.

The Clemson Elementary Media Center

is a gathering place in the

heart of the school.

It serves as home to the

print library collection, a leveled

library for teachers to use in the classroom,

a professional library, a workroom,

offices for the Media Specialist and

the Reading Coach, and a technology

service hub.

During the year, the library is often

used for faculty meetings,

professional development, celebrations,

book fairs, tutoring , mentoring and more.

The Clemson Elementary Media Center

is a multipurpose space for

the entire school to access and

enjoy each day! Submitted by

Leanne Broome.

District 3

Clemson Elementary's Margaret Morrison Media Center

581 Berkeley Drive

Clemson, SC 29631

https://pickenscosc.sites.thrillshare.com/o/cle

"The Clemson Elementary Media Center

is a gathering place in the

heart of the school."

23 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 3

Clemson Libraries is partnering with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to offer a

community outreach center at the OLLI headquarters located at the Cheezem Education Center

in Patrick Square. The partnership allows OLLI members and other community residents access

to a selection of library materials and other resources. Items selected for the small satellite library

will relate to OLLI course offerings, allowing OLLI members to enhance what they are learning

and enabling community residents to take advantage of other resources and services available

at Clemson Libraries.

The collection will also feature books related to the history of Clemson University and the

surrounding area, as well as South Carolina history. Community residents and OLLI members

can also request and return other Clemson Libraries materials from this location.

“This is a great opportunity for us to do some outreach into the local community, especially with

an active organization full of people who are excited and ready to learn,” said Clemson Libraries

Dean Chris Cox. “

I am looking forward to working with

OLLI and seeing this partnership grow.”

Clemson alumni Roger and

Kathy Troutman, both members of the

Class of 1974, donated $5,000

to the Libraries to establish the satellite

library at the Cheezem Center, which

will be open in August.

Clemson University Libraries

116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, SC 29634

https://libraries.clemson.edu/

“We are honored to provide the financial

resources for Clemson Libraries and OLLI to

team together to better serve our local

community,” said Roger Troutman. “We’re

always excited to support Clemson

University as a high seminary of learning with

its mission to advance knowledge at any and

every level.”

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at

Clemson University is a membership

community of nearly 1,100 Upstate residents

dedicated to lifelong learning. OLLI offers

350 academic and recreational programs per

year. Submitted by Angela Nixon.

Clemson Library's partnership with OLLI allows

"members and other community residents access

to a selection of library materials and other

resources."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 24

Our primary school community

enjoyed dressing as our favorite

book characters during Red

Ribbon Week!

Students reviewed the

importance of making good

choices and ways that we can

show good character!

Submitted by Haley Payne.

Concrete Primary

535 Powdersville Main

Easley, SC 29642

https://www.anderson1.

org/domain/255

District 3

I was inspired by a librarian in Texas to do a

Two-Sentence Scary Story Contest in our

Media Center for our sixth through eighth

graders. This librarian had posted about it on

her school library's Instagram page, and

upon further research, I found that several

public and school libraries around the country

also participated in this contest.

Clinton Middle School

800 N Adair St.

Clinton, SC 29325

tinyurl.com/cmssclib

Students were encouraged to write the scariest or creepiest story that they could think of, but

it could ONLY be two sentences long. Quite a challenge! Our principal and classroom teachers

did such an amazing job of getting students excited about this task. We had close to 100

submissions!

We posted many of them in the hallway outside of the Media Center for students to read on their

way to lunch or class. (Middle schoolers LOVE a good scary story!) We also had teachers vote on

the best stories from each grade level, and those winners received a swag bag with goodies from

Discus and our Fall Scholastic Book Fair. We were so encouraged by the participation in this contest

that we've planned a few more contests to implement this school year. Submitted by Chandler Black.

25 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Gray Court-Owings School is made

up of students from 3K-8th grade

with each day bringing new

adventures in the library!

A wide range of skills and content

topics are taught to students both

in the library as well as in classrooms

by collaborating with teachers.

From plagiarism breakout lessons, digital literacy lessons focusing on misinformation and

creating their own "fake" headlines, to STEM activities including building marble runs and

making leaf rubbings, students are actively engaged in their learning! The library is also the

place for students to find their next favorite book! With additional ESSER funding from our school

district, we have been able to add over 300 new books this year to our school library collection!

Submitted by Michelle Spires.

Gray Court-Owings

Media Center

9210 Hwy 14

Gray Court, SC 29645

http://www.gcoschool.org

Seeking to gain more

adventure from their required classroom reading

of "Touching Spirit Bear", students from Ms. Ear's

9th grade English 1 classes are choosing books

to supplement their ongoing research.

Easley High School

154 Green Wave Blvd

Easley, SC 29642

District 3

The students will tailor their assignments to their personal

strengths and share what they have learned with their class.

Our students enjoy reading with their friends so having

multiple copies of several of the titles was a hit! Submitted

by Paige Cochrane.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 26

District 3

Students at Hunt Meadows Elementary

enjoyed an interactive storywalk of "Move!"

by Steve Jenkins that details all of the fun

ways that animals move.

Librarian, Julianne Kaye, led students as

they read the story, watched videos of

Hunt Meadows Elementary

420 Hunt Road

Easley, SC 29642

https://www.anderson1.org/Domain/262

real animals from the book, and acted out the motions as they moved around the pages on

display.The child development class and librarian, Tamara Cox, at Wren High created the storywalk

for the students. Submitted by Tamara Cox & Julianne Kaye.

As part of their study of

South Carolina history, an

eighth grade Social Studies

class learned about the

history and importance of

the art of basket weaving in

the Gullah culture.

Each student learned to weave

and made a basket in the

library makerspace. Submitted

by Kathleen Butler.

Laurens Middle School Library

1035 West Main St.

Laurens, SC 29630

27 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 3

In our library, Wildcats love to check out books and

READ! We also work on research projects, make things at the

Maker Table, and relax using our new library furniture. Classes

come on a scheduled rotation, plus many sign up for other

library times to research, read and work.

Mount Lebanon Elementary School

Library Media Center

2850 Lebanon Rd.

Pendleton, SC 29670

https://mles.anderson4.org/en-US/media-center-fbbbc3e8

We also produce a weekly school-wide bRd.cast in our library, called the "Wildcast," as we keep our

student body informed about happenings around campus. Submitted by Amy Marshall.

Our library has always been involved in the

community, but became so even more in

the years since COVID-19 came along.

Our buildings are older and we have

limited space as well, so programming and

new services (like a maker space) have

just not been in the cards for us.

Oconee County Public Library

501 W. S. BRd. St.

Walhalla SC 29691

oconeelibrary.org

One of the great things we did this past year was apply for a grant with the Center for Rural and

Primary Healthcare at USC to hire a social worker at our library. That has paid big dividends not only

for increasing and enhancing partnerships with other community service agencies, but has also

given us someone who could provide one-on-one service directly to users, such as those with food

insecurity, those experiencing homelessness, or those who need assistance applying for benefits.

Finally, our outreach has also really boosted our program attendance. Our Youth Services staff

visited many of the primary and even secondary schools in support of this past year's Summer

Reading program, and our attendance at programs and our completion rate at the end of summer

were both up significantly. Submitted by Blair Hinson.

(picture shows our holiday outreach event with our Hispanic

Community. Our translator is pictured second from left, and our

Community Resource Associate is pictured third from the right)

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 28

"Our outreach has also paid off with our Hispanic community. So much so, in fact,

that we were also able to leverage grant money to hire a Spanish language

translator to assist with outreach and with our social worker."

District 3

4th and 5th graders have an opportunity to

join the "PES Battle of the Books Club" by

reading at least 5 of the SCASL book

nominees and passing a short quiz as proof of

reading.

Palmetto Elementary School

1 Roberts Blvd.

Williamston, SC 29697

https://tpayne6575.wixsite.com/palmettoel

ementary

Elementary students at Pomaria-Garmany

Elementary School are posting book award

nominee discussions with students within

their school on the media center's Book

Blog.

The school's 2nd/3rd graders are reading

the SCPBA nominees and answering open

ended questions posted by the school's

Gifted and Talented students and 4th/5th

graders are reading the SCCBA nominees

and answering questions.

Pomaria-Garmany Elementary School

7288 US Hwy 176

Pomaria, SC 29126

The blog is a fun tool that our students are enjoying as they read the state's book nominees.

It also is a form of assessment for me to see which students are eligible for the state book

award voting in February. Submitted by Christi Vinson.

Each quarter, students who have successfully met eligibility join Mrs. Brady, the teacher librarian,

and walk to Burger King to be treated to lunch and dessert, then to the public Anderson County

Library branch (Lander) for a STEM event and book circulation. The entire celebration trip is free

to all participants. This is a wonderful collaboration with the public library system and a way

to build relationships. Submitted by Tracy Brady.

29 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Students from Powdersville High and Wren High

were able to meet authors, attend book panels, and

have books signed at the Yallfest author festival in

Charleston.

Students were accompanied by librarians, Jen

Chesney from Powdersville and Tamara Cox from

Wren High. Meeting authors helps students get

excited about reading and leaves a lasting

impression. Submitted by Jen Chesney.

District 3

At Reuben Elementary School our students in grades 4 and

5 are working on paragraph writing with a secret agent twist.

They are writing book reviews worthy of classification as part

of Project Paragraph. Students are Trainee Recruits for the

Curating Information Agency (CIA).

They receive mission briefs from actual agents in England,

Australia, Florida and South Carolina. The missions focus on

aspects of paragraph writing (topic sentences, supporting

details, etc.) and the missions are classified “top secret.”

Reuben Elementary School

3605 Spearman Road

Newberry, SC 29108

Powdersville High School

145 Hood Road

Greenville, SC 29611

https://www.anderson1.org/domain/1325

"Meeting authors helps students get

excited about reading and leaves a

lasting impression."

Only their classroom teacher, the students and myself have access to revise rough drafts and works

in progress. Our goal is a collection of book reviews. The reviews are displayed in a notebook in our

media center. The book reviews are being curated into our notebooks at Reuben Elementary and for

grade 4 and 5 classes at Whitmire Community School where I also am elementary librarian. This

artifact helps them with their persuasive writing and it also provides book talks to promote a love of

reading. The next “leveled up” mission will involve research projects and more in-depth essay

writing. Our students are excited and are working hard to become full-fledged agents for the

Curating Information Agency (CIA). Submitted by Kevin Boozer.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 30

District 3

Libraries are all about equity of access and

while we circulate an average of almost 1,000

books a week, that can go beyond books too!

Our AASL standards also include language

about creativity, collaboration, critical thinking,

innovating, and problem-solving which we

work to address through our makerspace.

As a STEAM school, the librarian collaborates

with teachers throughout the year to integrate

opportunities for making in their classrooms,

but to celebrate "making" on a larger scale she

coordinated the school's participation

in Global Maker Day.

Rudolph Gordon School

1507 Scuffletown Rd.

Simpsonville, SC 29681

sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/

rgslibrary18-19/home

Students from Kindergarten to 8th grade had the opportunity to get hands on experience

with Cubelets, Makey Makey, Strawbees, and much more in a variety of activities.

4th grade students made Makey Makey pianos in their music class in a collaboration between the

librarian and music teacher. The pianos were sent to classes all over the building for other students

to play (physical computing, circuits/electricity). 6th grade band students worked with the librarian to

make stomp pads to create a stair piano with the Makey Makey.

1st and 2nd grade students tried out Cubelets modular blocks and learned about inputs and outputs

for basic coding so their robots could "run away" if something got close, or turn on a light when it

sensed darkness! Students in several grade levels tried out Strawbees and used them to create

anything they chose.

There were vehicles, food, geometric shapes, even scenes from the books they were reading. 6th

grade students created and presented Rube Goldberg projects, and one was featured on the Global

Maker Day live feed to thousands of classrooms across the world!

Throughout the year the librarian will continue to collaborate with teachers to integrate digital

literacy, creative play, and problem-solving through challenge-based learning, as well as

opportunities for students to share their learning in ways that further their skills in areas of interest or

pursue learning outside the classroom. Submitted by Gaelyn Jenkins.

31 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 3

At West Pelzer Elementary, the media center has

been focusing on incorporating books with STEM

lessons.

In May, the school librarian teamed up with the

5th grade teachers for a unit on the Cold War.

Students read the nonfiction book Mercedes and

the Chocolate Pilot. At the first part of the

project, they had to create a parachute for

candy.

West Pelzer Elementary School

110 West Stewart St.

Pelzer, SC 29669

https://www.anderson1.org/Page/5561

At the second part, they were able to fly a drone

to drop off candy at the destinations in the book.

This unit was able to incorporate history, science,

and hands-on learning. Submitted by Deidre

Ables.

Librarian, Tamara Cox, invites the dogs for

midterms and final exams for stress relief. It is

always a huge hit! Submitted by Tamara Cox.

Wren High School Library

905 Wren School Road

Piedmont, SC 29673

https://www.anderson1.org/domain/1241

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 32

"Wren High School students enjoy a

break from exams with therapy dogs

from SC Dogs. "

"Learning how to become a responsible

consumer and creator of information is a critical

skill needed in today's world. "

Students in the Abner Creek Academy Library recently had

the chance to tie together literature and engineering with

the Dash Robots. Students "built" buildings to line the

streets of our very own "Balloons Over BRd.way" parade

before Thanksgiving. Then, classes coded the Dash robots

to drive down the streets of the parade.

Students had to work together to figure out the path Dash

needed to take, enter the correct code, and watch their

hard work come to life. Students collaborated with one

another and used problem-solving skills to make it work.

Abner Creek Academy

2050 Abner Creek Road

Duncan, SC 29334

District 4

Bethel Elementary School

111 Bethel School Rd.

Simpsonville, SC 29681

https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/

bethellmc/home

Everyone enjoyed the activity and the opportunity to create our own "mini" version of the famous

Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We can't wait to make it bigger and better next year! Submitted by

Elizabeth Koon.

At Bethel Elementary School, school librarian Jill Tyner collaborates with classroom teachers to teach

inquiry and information literacy skills, which are major components of South Carolina educational

standards across disciplines. She created a Google Slides hyperdoc called the S.O.C.K Notebook

(S.O.C.K. stands for Sources, Own Words, Citations, and Keywords). At the beginning of fifth grade,

students work through the S.O.C.K Notebook, learning how to find good research sources, write in

their own words to avoid plagiarism, correctly cite information creators, and use good keywords when

searching on the Internet.

Students then apply these skills beginning with an inquiry project on inventions from the Industrial

Revolution and throughout the year whenever doing research. Originally created during the pandemic

when students were learning virtually, the S.O.C.K. Notebook was so successful that Mrs. Tyner and

her colleagues have continued to modify and use it with students each year since! Submitted by Jill

Tyner.

33 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 4

Brenda Stephens and Jamie Gregory,

Middle and Upper School librarians at

Christ Church Episcopal School in

Greenville, SC, hosted parent events

during the 2021-2022 school year.

Because Stephens teaches a media

literacy class to all 5th graders, and

Gregory is also the Upper School

journalism teacher, they collaborated with

Middle School counselor Lydia Pettigrew to

host a media literacy parent workshop titled

“Teen Media Overload.”

Stephens and Gregory shared parts of their

curriculum with parents, teaching them

some of the same strategies they use with

students. Parents took a “Share or

Beware?” quiz, learning lateral reading

strategies and digital forensics skills.

Christ Church Episcopal School

245 Cavalier Dr.

Greenville, SC 29607

cces.org

They sorted types of news into categories, differentiating sponsored content, straight news, and

opinion articles. Lastly, Pettigrew shared strategies for addressing media overload. Gregory also

collaborated with Upper School counselor Zay Kittredge to host a news literacy parent workshop.

She taught parents how to do a reverse image search in order to verify images shared through

social media about current events. She shared the results of the 2019 SHEG study and discussed

the implications for students at CCES. She and Kittredge shared strategies for connecting with their

students over tough topics in the news, including how to stay informed without becoming

overwhelmed.

Stephens and Gregory also collaborated on a parent event with Upper School English teacher

Allison O’Rear to share strategies for promoting reading to older students, titled “Engage Teens in

Reading.” They presented research showing how students spend more time using technology as

they get older but less time reading.

The parents shared their struggles and concerns, and everyone shared strategies they use to

promote reading with their teens. Stephens, Gregory, and O’Rear shared popular books, book

awards lists, finding books in graphic novel, ebook/audiobook format, as well as activities for families

to promote reading. Submitted by Brenda Stephens and Jamie Gregory.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 34

The Greenville County Library System’s Youth Services Department is continuously exploring new

and unique ways to reach the community. The creation of a StoryWalk ® in Greenville provides the

opportunity for families to spend time together outdoors and create lasting memories while

discovering a new book!

StoryWalk® gives both residents and visitors the opportunity to discover a new story and explore

downtown Greenville. Young readers and their families can explore a new story by following the

brightly colored book spreads in the windows of the 16 businesses that collaborated with the Library.

Build early literacy skills as you read, walk, and explore a picture book together!

StoryWalk® is a fun way for children–and adults–to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time

while building early literacy skills in your little ones as you read, walk, and explore a picture book

together. Follow the pages and our interactive online map to complete the story at

greenvillelibrary.org/storywalk.

Library patron Shaye Messenger recently did the StoryWalk ® with her family. She says, “We loved

looking for the next page in the book in some of our favorite store windows. O.P. Taylor’s is

always a treat to go into, so we loved the opportunity to visit some downtown stores along

the way.”

Messenger says, “StoryWalk ® is a unique way to experience downtown Greenville with kids. Your

kids will love looking for the book pages in the windows.” Every few months the book will be changed

to something new so you and your family can visit StoryWalk ® again and again!

District 4

Greenville County Library System

25 Heritage Green Place

Greenville, SC 29601

www.greenvillelibrary.org

StoryWalk ® was created by

Anne Ferguson and

developed in collaboration

with the Kellogg-Hubbard

Library in Montpelier,

Vermont to promote literacy

development and a love of

reading and books in young

children in an outdoor

environment. Submitted by

Greenville County Library

System.

greenvillelibrary.org/storywalk

35 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

The nostalgia of the school Book Fair lives inside so many of us. As you get older, you often miss

the Book Fair. This is something that high school students tell us frequently.

In October, two high school librarians, Lindsay Beaman, Mauldin High School, and Tiffany Rickey,

Fountain Inn High School, got to share this excitement with not only high school students but future

educators. The iTeach Conference is a conference hosted in the Upstate, SC for students enrolled in

their school’s Teacher Cadet classes. With close to 400 students attending, it is a day full of

professional development and educational classes for these students.

Thanks to donations from many generous people and businesses, these two librarians were able to

share with all of these students ways to inspire the joy of reading in your classroom. Not only did

students learn great tips to implement in their future classrooms, they got to “Say Aloha to the Joy of

Reading” and left with their very own book to start their future classroom libraries.

Fun was had by all while celebrating reading, going home with a great book, and many students

were overhead raving about how great the Book Fair was thanks to these two librarians. Submitted

by Lindsay Beaman, Mauldin High School and Tiffany Rickey, Fountain Inn High School.

Fountain Inn High School & Mauldin High School

701 E Butler Rd, Mauldin, SC 29662

644 Quillen Avenue, Fountain Inn, SC 29644

https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/fihsmediacenter/home

https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/mauldinhighschoollibrary

District 4

"Fun was had by all while celebrating reading, going home with

a great book, and many students were overhead raving about

how great the Book Fair was thanks to these two librarians. "

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 36

District 4

My media center serves around 1000 students near downtown Greenville. This year, we used

district grant money to host a Community Book Club with students and parents reading the novel

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz. Students read the book with a community member

(parent/neighbor/family member) who accompanied them to our Community Book Club Night in

November.

Hughes Academy of Science

And Technology

122 Deoyley Ave

Greenville SC 29605

https://sites.google.com/ greenville

schools.us/mrsphilippsesol/home

We ate pizza, had small group discussion about book topics, and played a figurative language

game. Students who participated were awarded with extra credit in ELA and "cougar bucks" (which

is a schoolwide incentive) for bringing a community member. We had a great turnout with about 70

people participating! Submitted by Michelle Phillipp.

Library instruction has an impact on

student success. Students learn how to

search through the catalog, find

academic resources, use databases

and locate reliable sources on the internet.

All these concepts are important for their success in their classes. The library created more

group study areas for students to collaborate with each other and practice their

presentations as well as work together in an area that is free of distractions.

This past semester, Mary conducted a reference and instruction class. She focused on how to find

resources for their research paper and how to make sure those resources were reliable. Another

class enjoyed participating in an Escape Room challenge. The staff assisted Dr. Dalicia Raymond

in setting this up for her Honors British Literature class. Submitted by Sandra Brundage.

Marie Blair Burgess Library

& Learning Resource Center

1000 Powell Mill Road,

Spartanburg SC 29301

https://libguides.smcsc.edu/

main/home

37 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

In 2019, the Spartanburg County Public Libraries made the decision to initiate a planning process

with the outcome being a three-year strategic plan to guide the library’s direction. During this

planning process input and feedback were solicited from a variety of sources resulting in establishing

multiple objectives for each of our four identified planning goals.

One of these objectives was to establish an outreach department to provide and coordinate outreach

programs throughout the county. SCPL has since been able to create and staff this outreach

department and in late 2021 after careful consideration, decided to apply for a Library Services and

Technology Act (LSTA) grant made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The outreach van was purchased in early 2022 and upfitted for use. During the grant project period,

the Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ outreach van participated in at least 30 events from large

scale festivals to small outreach events. Library staff were able to reach our underserved

populations in and around the county as well as attend many major festival events. The impact of the

outreach van offered the community opportunities to see many resources available via the

Spartanburg County Public Libraries. This in turn also fulfilled the library’s strategic plan objectives to

reach the underserved populations of Spartanburg County. Continued on page 39...

District 4

Spartanburg Public Library

151 S. Church Street

Spartanburg, SC 29306

https://www.infodepot.org/

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 38

"During the grant

project period, the

Spartanburg

County Public

Libraries’ outreach

van participated in

at least 30 events

from large scale

festivals to small

outreach events."

Contu...

Most of our outreach events are based on partnerships with schools, cities within Spartanburg

County and several non-profits that help to sponsor different outreach events. We did not anticipate

the volume of outreach events that would grow as community partners found out that the library was

doing outreach events again and that we had an outreach van equipped for festivals and other

community programs. Along with the van, the outreach budget supplied games and activities for

large festivals, as well as give away items, and supplies for pop up programming across the county.

Most of our outreach events were located in communities across Spartanburg that are considered

high risk and underserved populations.

In July 2022, we hired an Assistant Director of Projects and Outreach with the specific intention of

outreach to our BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and listed two new bilingual

positions to reach our Spanish speaking and Russian/Ukrainian speaking communities within

Spartanburg County. These positions were filled in October 2022 and completed the last missing

piece to the Library Strategic Plan regarding the creation of the outreach department. As library staff

interacted with patrons in the communities of Spartanburg, we were able to connect on a personal

level with many folks and communicate services available to them that were practical on an

individual level.

District 4

39 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

For some, this meant signing them up for a

library card, for others it was letting them

know about additional services available to

them through the library other than just

checking out books. For many, they

stepped away from our events learning

about a new service that they had no

idea the library provided, from free

printing, eBooks, passport services,

homework help/tutoring services, maker

space, and more.

We have seen an increase in programming

participation along with higher gate counts

system-wide since establishing the

outreach department and purchasing the

outreach van. Every event that we offered

library card registrations, we had no less

than 5 new library card registrations per

event. Several interactions with staff also

led us to new outreach opportunities and

connections with more community

organizations. Submitted by Amanda

Newman.

District 4

This year, we surpassed

$50,000 raised since August of

2020.

Our Read-A-Thons have been

the bulk of that but three Bosch

BEST Teacher Grants and a

PEP S.T.E.A.M. grant have

helped as well!

We're refurbishing our library

("The Oasis") to make it exciting

and accessible for everyone!

Our Maker Space should be

debuting this spring.

Taylors Elementary - The Oasis at Taylors

809 Reid School Road

Taylors SC 29687

https://sites.google.com/

greenvilleschools.us/tml/

home?authuser=0

It will house all new materials like a Lego wall, 3D printer, magnetic poetry station, binoculars for

bird watching, button makers, and so much more! We also are developing a garden outside our

windows to bring birds and pollinators up close for student observation! In the spring, we held the

biggest book fair our school has EVER had!

Feed Your Minds, Feed Your Families brought in SO many families and neighbors that all four food

trucks sold out of product! We also invited local literacy and STEAM groups to have informational

tables set up to help our families engage with community stakeholders.

Our library clerk, Mrs. Gerald, was one of ten employees in our district chosen for the Employee

Spotlight. She received the most nominations in the entire district!

Greenville Federal Credit Union provided a special breakfast in her honor for our entire staff. We are

so excited about the increased engagement we've seen in the last three years as we work to make

The Oasis a place for mental rest and nourishment for students on their quest for knowledge!

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 40

"In the spring, we held the biggest book

fair our school has EVER had!"

District 4

On December 13, 2022, the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved USC

Upstate moving forward with a $21 million building project that will allow the university to

continue renovating and modernizing its library and enhance the student experience on

campus.

USC Upstate Library

800 University Way

Spartanburg, SC 29303

https://uscupstate.libguides.com/library

This project includes the construction of a new 22,000-square-foot annex adjacent to the existing

74,000-square-foot library building and the renovation of the library's second floor. The annex is

anticipated to be a flexible space with 5 to 6 large multipurpose rooms for classes and meetings; the

building may also house a range of student support services, such as Student Success, Career

Management, writing and math labs, a commuter lounge, a testing center, and more.

Renovation work will focus on repurposing existing classroom space for the library's archives and

special collections, quiet study rooms, and a digital commons lab. The project will also replace the

building's roof and HVAC system and improve soundproofing throughout the building. USC Upstate

plans to select an architectural and engineering design team during the 1st quarter of 2023; the

project is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.

According to Dean of the Library, John Barnett, "Our librarians and library staff are excited about the

continuing renovations to the Upstate Library, plus the plans for the annex. It shows a strong

commitment from the university, the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, and the state

legislature to keep library facilities in top working order and expand our footprint to meet the

changing service and space needs of students, staff, and faculty. These initiatives illustrate

everyone's belief in the vital role libraries play in supporting student learning, research, and

success." Submitted by John Barnett.

41 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 4

The Woodland Heights Library

serves over 419 students in

Kindergarten through 5th

grades, with weekly library

lessons, stories, and

information literacy instruction,

with a technology and arts

integration twist.

Woodland Heights Elementary

1216 John B. White Sr. Blvd.

Spartanburg, SC 29306

https://search.follettsoftware

.com/metasearch/ui/28629

the Back to School Book Fair,

collaborative research projects with 4th and 5th graders,

participating in the Global Traveling Mural project,

Ozobots, First Checkout Contest,

Hour of Code Week,

300 new books added to our collection,

Family Learning Night Book Giveaway,

Read for the Record Day,

Polar Express Day, and Fairy Tale STEM Challenges.

Highlights of 2022-23 to date:

Submitted by Elizabeth Graham.

"For some students, the

school library is their only

means of access to

reading materials and

other library services. No

matter what challenges

they face outside of

school, students know that

they are valued and

appreciated whenever they

visit the library. "

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 42

The Woodruff High School Library and the

Guidance Department joined together to create the

WHO - Wolverines Helping Others program. It

began with senior athletes being paired up with

Woodruff Primary School teachers through the

media specialists at the high school and the primary

school.

The high school students visit the primary school

assigned classroom weekly or bi-monthly and read

aloud to the students or work with them one-on-

one.

It has been such a success that there is a

waiting list for student readers and the program

will soon be expanding to include members of

the National Honor Society and possibly

Woodruff Elementary School as well.

Woodruff High School

710 Cross Anchor Rd.

Woodruff, SC 29388

District 4

This year we finally have a

thriving student book club,

Wild About Reading.The club

meets twice a month to discuss

books from a selected genre.

The students also work on crafts as they socialize and discuss books with each other. During

December, the students decorated the library door for our annual door decorating contest, and

our design won the "Most Hilarious Door". It is a fun, no stress, club that any student can

choose to join. It has been great. Submitted by Sandra Brundage.

Woodmont High

2831 West Georgia Road

Piedmont, SC 29673

https://sites.google.com/greenvill

eschools.us/whs-wild-about-

reading/

43 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Camden Middle School used the book City Spies, by James Ponti, to promote STEAM. All students

read City Spies by James Ponti and completed activities in ELA and Social Studies. In this book the

students compete in an environmental competition.

Camden Middle School

902 McRae Road

Camden, SC 29020

https://www.kcsdschools.net/domain/260

District 5

Librarian Kathleen DuRant invited our county Clemson Extension Agent, Haley Vincent, to visit our

school and host an activity related to pollution. Ms. Vincent did a hands-on experiment about water

pollution. We had fun learning about watersheds and the difficulty of removing toxins from polluted

water.

Seventh grade students also did “flash mob projects” about pollution and created posters for a

poster contest using the information they found. Ms. Vincent chose winners and students voted for

“Student Choice” favorites. The book City Spies was very popular with our students and teachers

and there were curriculum connections in all subject areas.

Reading a book together as a school, grade, or class often provides opportunities for collaboration

between math, science, social studies, and ELA. Submitted by Kathleen DuRant.

"Reading a book

together as a school,

grade, or class often

provides opportunities

for collaboration

between math,

science, social

studies, and ELA."

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 44

District 5

Students at Castle Heights Middle

School have been learning about other

cultures and countries in the library as

they “Read Around the World''. Each

month in the library, the lessons and

decorations are themed around the

country we are visiting. Classes sign

up to come in for checkout and the

lesson.

Castle Heights Middle School Library

2382 Fire Tower Road

Rock Hill, SC 29730

https://sites.google.com/view/chms-

mediacenter/home

This year we have visited four countries: Mexico, Greece, the United States, and England. In Mexico,

students learned more about the Day of the Dead celebration by watching a video and hearing a

read aloud. In Greece, students visited a quaint cafe and took part in a genre book tasting. Having a

staycation, students learned more about the National Parks in the United States by playing games

and watching a short video. Students learned more about England by watching a travel video and

completing a research activity using SCDiscus.

Second semester, students will visit Egypt, Spain, Brazil, and China. For the reading incentive,

students are required to read five books each semester and have their passport stamped with the

stamps of the countries we visited.

Students will have an opportunity to win a pair of customized sneakers from one of the following

brands; Adidas, Nike or Converse. To be eligible for a chance to win, students must turn in their

completed reading passport. Five pairs of customized sneakers will be given away each semester.

This reading incentive is funded through a grant from the Rock Hill Schools Education Foundation.

Submitted by Elisa Hedgpath.

"This reading incentive is funded

through a grant from the Rock Hill

Schools Education Foundation".

45 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 5

The school year kicked off with a One Book,

One School title that involved a variety of staff

members reading aloud, as well as students

participating in world record-breaking activities.

We also rewarded summer readers who hit

different levels of achievement.

I host monthly Project LIT Book Clubs where

students receive a free copy of a high-quality

diverse book as part of their participation.

Dutchman Creek Media Center

4757 Mount Gallant Road

Rock Hill, SC 29732

https://sites.google.com/rhschools.org/m

cmichael/home

This year we had over thirty students participate in a yearlong Battle of the Books specialty

enrichment program where they read a total of 170 books in one semester and will compete

with other schools across the county. Language Arts classes visit the library to receive book

recommendations and work on research projects.

Family and Consumer Science classes partner with me and the elementary school across the street

to read aloud picture books. Resources are curated to help students get matched with books that

they will enjoy, including read-alikes, book trailers, and top ten lists. My middle school library has a

fun and welcoming atmosphere.

Morning events are hosted daily to meet various student needs and interests. Gator Game Days

provide an opportunity to play different types of games, including Pop-a-Shot basketball, air hockey,

an old-school arcade, virtual reality, board games, card games, and more! Silent Swamp allows

students to relax with a chill vibe as they curl up with a good book or get caught up on their

schoolwork.

Gators Unglued is a monthly program for students to be creative with STEAM challenges or craft

activities. Yoga is a weekly option for students to stretch out and destress on their mats. Examples of

other activities include collaborative sticker mosaics, origami, and book BINGO. Funding was

recently acquired for a book vending machine for my school.

Students will be able to earn tokens as prizes, rewards, and special incentives that will permit them

to select a free book to read at home. Submitted by Amy McMichael.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 46

The Fort Mill Middle School library enriches the

lives of students, faculty and staff in many ways

throughout the school - such as offering

readers advisory, engaging information literacy

lessons, a makerspace, one book one school,

and coordinating our annual Literacy day.

However, one of my favorite times of day is

blacktop time, when students get passes

and join me in the library to read, do

homework, use the makerspace, and

sometimes just to chat.

District 5

Fortmill Middle School Media Center

200 Springfield Parkway

Fort Mill, SC 29715

https://sites.google.com/fmsdmail.org/fortmill

middlemediacenter/home

During blacktop time I can have many different things happening at once - two or three students

reading in the comfy chairs, a few students working on the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, a few students

collaborating on our sticker mural, students making buttons, playing chess together, building a

marble run, and usually even a few on chromebooks finishing up their homework.

To me blacktop time is the heart of what the library is really about. I am building relationships with

my students, that segue into helping them find books through readers advisory, having them be

more engaged and trust me when I teach lessons and collaborate with their classroom teachers, and

know that the library is a safe place where they are welcomed and celebrated as individuals.

Also I get to let them explore their own interests all while they are being creative, showing critical

thinking, and collaborating with each other. Everyday that the library is open during blacktop time I

have 15-20 students with me, it is a hot ticket to get a pass to come down! Submitted by Michelle

Bridges.

47 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

At India Hook Elementary, I serve about 600

students in the library weekly. We have a

very diverse population, but we are not a

title one school.

As a librarian, I really enjoy using the

maker's space with students to teach

how literacy can lead to many different skills.

India Hook Elementary

School Library

2068 Yukon Drive

Rock Hill, SC 29732

District 5

We do many things at the Indian Land

High Library.

We support literacy through books

and stories, we engage creativity by

providing access to technology and

tools for making things, and we

inspire students to think critically by

collaborating with classroom teachers

to teach engaging lessons.

We are excited to be a part of Lancaster

County School and work with our public

library to grow our students into

productive citizens. Submitted by Helen

Prince.

Indian Land High School

6100 Charlotte Hwy

Lancaster SC 29720

http://bit.ly/ilhslibrary

One of my favorite programs I use with students is the Rubik’s cube program. They follow a set of

directions and if done correctly should solve any Rubik’s cube. The students have so much fun

learning how to solve the cube, and it ties directly into coding which as an educator I love.

Submitted by Jennifer Smith.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 48

"Lee County Public Library received $30,000 from the Library Services and

Technology Act Grant as part of the American Rescue Plan Act for the project period

of August 2021 – September 2022. "

Lee County Public Library

200 N. Main St.

Bishopville, SC 29010

leecountylibrarysc.org

District 5

These funds were used to purchase an outreach vehicle equipped as a wifi hotspot and to further

the Children’s Learning Initiative. The initiative includes additional children’s books for the library

collection as well as educational games and kits. In 2022, the Lee County Public Library welcomed

Ms. Lee Richardson as its new director and Ms. Kayla Edwards as its new Public Services and

Marketing Facilitator.

The library also celebrated the launch of its new website in December of 2022. In partnership with

the foundation for Community Impact and Health Equity (FCIHE) and CareSouth Carolina, the Lee

County Public Library currently offers the Community Health Hub out of the Lee County Library

Annex Building. The free hub assists local residents with blood pressure screenings and

vaccinations and connects them with services related to heath, nutritional, and housing needs.

Submitted by Kayla Edwards.

49 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

In fourth grade, we discuss how to create strong

passwords using the 5 elements that strong

passwords should have.

Multi-factor authentication, fingerprint/face

recognition, and ways hackers can find

passwords are also discussed. Later, my students

learn how to spot phishing. They learn 9 “red

flags” that could indicate that an email/text/phone

call is fake.

Following this lesson, we discuss the dangers of

using public wifi, public charging stations, and

unknown charging cords. Later, we invite an

ethical hacker to Zoom with us. Finally, we take

several class periods to discuss cyberbullying

after reviewing the other 3 types of bullying.

District 5

Lesslie Elementary Library

250 Neely Store Rd.

Rock Hill, SC 29730

During 5th grade, we start with an online chatroom conversation between an online predator and a

14 year old girl. The point of this exercise is to show students how easy it is to think someone who

they have never met before can quickly be considered a “friend” online. People become comfortable

talking with online strangers to the point that they begin to give out too much personal information,

which quickly starts to add up and leads to giving out private information.

Later in the year, we spend several classes learning about digital footprints. We discuss the top 11

reasons why employers decide not to hire employees due to digital footprint. The 11 items we

discuss are digital footprint downfalls that they need to avoid in life in general. We also discuss using

3 popular apps with caution: TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

We discuss the problems with each and how to stay safe on each platform. Many times this lesson

leads to the children becoming interested in music copyright. We discuss the do’s and don’ts of

music copyright. Finally, we end the year with the 10 types of cyberbullying. We discuss each in-

depth and examples of each are given. Submitted by Melissa Adair.

"In fourth grade, we discuss how to

create strong passwords using the 5

elements that strong passwords

should have. "

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 50

Having a great library program doesn’t always

mean that you need to start from scratch.

Lugoff Elgin Middle School

1244 Highway 1 South

Lugoff, SC 29078

https://sites.google.com/view/lemslibrary/home

District 5

The students of MGES have really showed

up this year with our school-wide activities.

We have done storybook pumpkins, winter

ornaments, pet food collections, STEM

competitions, breakout rooms, and other

fun activities.

They have set record numbers, and I could not be more proud of them and their work. They are

amazing kids who try their best each week! Pictured are the winners of the Storybook Pumpkin

Competition--one for each grade level. The submissions were voted on by faculty and staff. They all

did an amazing job! Submitted by Cindy Hingle.

Mt. Gallant Elementary School Library

4664 Mt Gallant Rd

Rock Hill, SC 29732

Some of the greatest educators take ideas they have seen others use and adapt them for their

purposes. Some of the greatest librarians are champions of collaboration with teachers in their

buildings. That is exactly where this story begins. Last year, while attending sessions at the annual

SCASL Conference in Myrtle Beach, I saw a demo of a lesson from the Full Steam Ahead Teaching

Primary Sources session presented by Jenna Spierling and immediately sent a message to the

STEM teacher, Tracy Elmore, at my school. She and I had been discussing how to add to her Flight

and Space curriculum, and I was eager to incorporate some of my training in teaching primary

sources from the Library of Congress. This lesson fit perfectly, but little did we know that a single

lesson would evolve into an entire unit.

Using Suzanne Reeves Spearman’s lesson titled The Wright Brothers and the Second Revolution,

as our starting point, we began planning this unit. We planned to scaffold Tracy's student learning by

breaking up Spearman’s lesson to go more in-depth with eighth graders and focus on the critical

inquiry process in STEM education using the following question question. How can I use primary

and secondary sources to understand how the Wright Brothers used the engineering design process

to build/create the first powered, flying machines? Tracy and I never dreamed that this single lesson

would evolve into a unit we have taught three times. The unit is still evolving as we adapt it to each

group of students. We have since modified the unit to show how the evolution of flight ultimatly

connects to space travel. Through our collaboration, we have built a wonderful learning experience

for the students in our building. Submitted by Emily Baccomo.

51 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

The school library coordinates the efforts for students to receive books for their birthdays; getting a

free book if you participate in the Boys and Girls Book Clubs; and the School-Wide Summer

Reading Celebration that provides a book to each student and teacher in the school. One of these

programs is the School-Wide Summer Reading Celebration. This event starts in the Spring with the

announcement of the SC Junior Award Nominees at the SCASL conference. Teachers read through

all of the nominees and allow students to choose their favorite one to read.

Each student receives a free copy of that book before Summer break. When students return to

school in the fall, each new student also receives a free book. All teachers and support staff choose

a book to read and begin planning for our celebration. The school librarian shares SCASL book

activity guides and Teachingbook.net that are helpful with planning literacy activities for this event.

In September, everyone spends half of a school day celebrating these books. Teachers plan literacy

activities, speakers, and snacks that tie into the theme of the book. This exciting day supports the

gift of reading for the teachers and students that is encouraged all year long. Submitted by

Jennifer Gibson.

Students at North Central Middle School

are given the gift of reading throughout the

year. Our school is located in the rural part

of Kershaw County and is a Title 1 School.

North Central Middle School

805 Keys Lane

Kershaw, SC 29067

https://www.kcsdschools.net/

domain/2776

District 5

Nation Ford Media Center hosted an

Hour of Code event during Computer

Science Education Week.

From December 5 - December 8, students had the opportunity to participate in Hour of Code during

their Flex. Our average participation in-person was 20 students per day. Overall 88 seats were

filled during the course of the event, with some students participating multiple days. A virtual

option was also offered. Submitted by Tenley Middleton.

Nation Ford High School Media Center

1400 A. O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

https://sites.google.com/

view/nafomediacenter/home

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 52

District 5

Students at Northside Elementary

School of the Arts learn in the

library in a variety of ways. Being a

School of the Arts, we incorporate

all the arts in many things we do.

One way we do this is through

lunch time clubs. One of the

favorites is the puppet club. Fourth

graders are in puppet club and use

scripts and music to create puppet

presentations to share with our

whole school. One way these

productions is shared is though our

daily news show.

Northside Elementary School of the Arts

840 Annafrel St.

Rock Hill, SC 29730

Fifth graders use skills in the arts to produce the show each day. They research for the information

for each show and create the scripts and then present the show using drama skills. Fifth grade

students also have a Library Advisory Club where they get to share ideas for programs and create

visual displays for the library.

Second grade has also had a Maker Club where they are able to come to the library and create

things using books that are in the library. Students also love exploring and learning in the library

throughout the various centers that are in the library. Some examples of centers in the library

include a game center, Lego center, light table center, technology center, puzzle center and many

more.

Students also learn through STEAM lessons that tie into books that are read. Students are

encouraged to explore, create, and learn through the centers and arts in the library! Submitted by Jill

Williams.

"Students love exploring

and learning in the library

throughout the various

centers including a game

center, Lego center, light

table center, technology

center, puzzle center and

many more. "

53 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

Here in Sumter, we saw a need

for support materials to help

parents reinforce reading skills

with their children. Literacy kits

have been a lifesaver for many

of our parents.

Each kit contains multiple books

on various reading levels, a

hands-on reading skill game and

comprehension questions to

discuss with the children as they

read. We can't keep them on the

shelf! Submitted by Julie M.

Hynes.

District 6

Sumter County Library

111 North Harvin St.

Sumter, SC 29150

www.sumtercountylibrary.org

I've have the opportunity this year

to collaborate with teachers and

do book clubs with each grade

level.

This past fall, 2nd graders read

the book, Flat Stanley, and

wrote their own Flat

adventures. Submitted by

Audrey Neumann.

Roebuck Elementary School

2401 East Blackstock Road

Roebuck, SC 29376

https://res.spart6.org/

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 54

District 6

At the middle and high school levels, we have initiated a

“Badge” incentive for our students. Earning badges is a

popular trend among young people, they earn badges

for video games and learning digital platforms so we

transferred that towards reading.

With our Badge incentive, students are encouraged to read the 2022-23 SCASL Award Nominees in

order to earn badges for each book. They can also earn badges for reading 5, 10, 15 and 20

nominees. Students who read all 20 nominees earn a special prize that varies by school. Students

are also encouraged to vote on their favorite nominee. We are confident that these incentives will

make a difference in the educational success of our students. Submitted by Ronda Speed, District

Lead Librarian.

First Photo: (L-R) Jenna Hale (Library Assitant), Morgan Boyd (Student), and Alyssa Jones (Library

Assitant & creator of the actual badges) Morgan is receiving her badge for reading Grown by Tiffany

Jackson. Second Photo: 4th grader Ayden Queen and Librarian Laura Davis (Kingsbury

Elementary) discussed one of the books for the upcoming Reading Rumble.

Sumter County Schools

During our professional development sessions, Sumter

School District Librarians have been brainstorming

reading incentives for our students. We recognize the

learning gap of our students post-pandemic and we want

to be an active part in rekindling their love of reading.

That is who we are, it’s in our DNA. Librarians are literacy

advocates, we creating reading incentives, we help

struggling readers, and we offer safe environments for

students to learn and explore. We share our enthusiasm

for reading and it can be contagious to our students.

As we collaborated we developed several reading

incentives but two reading incentives in particular stand

out: one incentive for elementary students and one for

middle and high school students. Our elementary school

librarians have developed the “Reading Rumble”

incentive, which starts at the school level. Students

answer questions based on a selection of 10 books and

battle to be on their schools’ team. The Reading Rumble

teams then move to a district-wide competition in the

spring. This incentive encourages students to read while

having a friendly competition among their peers. It has

the support and backing from several businesses in the

area.

55 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 6

Here at the Wilder Elementary Library Media

Center, we have been focusing this year on

learning more about the world around us.

During the month of November, we wanted to

learn more about Native Americans in honor of

Native American Heritage Month.

Wilder Elementary Library Media Center

975 South Main St.

Sumter, SC 29150

https://wld.sumterschools.net/library/

They brought in several artifacts to show students

including a turtle purse, jewelry, and clothing.

They also demonstrated what was involved with a

naming ceremony.

This was such a great opportunity for our students

to experience South Carolina history in person.

Submitted by Lessie Bernshouse.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 56

"Besides just reading books about

different tribes and creating

presentations, we were able to bring in

the chief of the local Cheraw tribe to

speak to our fourth grade students.

Chief Ralph Oxendine and Chairperson

Tammy Stevens shared important

information about the history of their

tribe. "

The fifth graders at our school will soon be reading Ban

This Book by Alan Gratz. Our library has worked

alongside the fifth grade teachers to set up a locker just

like Amy Anne Ollinger's. In Ban this Book, the main

character, Amy Anne, starts a secret library in her

locker, offering her classmates a chance to check out

books that her school district has banned.

Greenwood Elementary School has focused

on a variety of authors this school year. Each

month an author is selected, books are

displayed and students are taught about the

author.

Greenwood Elementary School

2300 E. Howe Springs Rd.

Florence, SC 29505

https://www.f1s.org/domain/1681

District 7

North Hartsville Elementary

110 School Drive Hartsville, SC 29550

https://nhe.dcsdschools.org/

The students have listened to many books by a variety of authors from around the United States

and learned how they have used their lives to shape their writings. The students have learned about

Chris van Dusen, Peter H. Reynolds, Aaron Reynolds, Wendi J. Silvano, Jan Brett and David

Biedrzycki. The students have enjoyed learning about the author and reading and listening to the

books they have written.

Students have also had the opportunity to do activities to go along with the books and display them

along the walls in the hallways for all to see. Some books had students create items from STEM

cards to further their understanding of the ideas provided within the story. Each month brings a

new author and a new set of readings and experiences, and the students are excited to see,

listen to and read. Submitted by Toni Allen.

Just like Amy Anne's locker, our locker is stocked with books that have made the list of the top

banned children's books from 2000-2019 and include cherished titles like Captain Underpants, Junie

B Jones, Harry Potter and many others. As our students visit this locker to check out books in the

coming weeks, they will realize the importance of having the freedom to read books of their own

choosing. Additionally, it will raise awareness of the negative impact that book banning has on our

school communities. No worries! Once the project is over, the books will be returned to their rightful

spots on our library shelves. Submitted by Michelle Turner.

57 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

To increase student engagement while reading,

we have implemented several activities to

promote exploration and excitement!

Students don't just come to the library to "check

out a book"; they attend "Book Tastings", come

read with our book character reading buddies,

participate in a "Summary Circus" or a "Magazine

Rodeo" or "Flashlight Reading" time.

This year our library is really drawing

students in with both makerspace activities

and games.

Our PreK-6th grade library is integrating activities

to engage students in free play, creative thinking,

cooperation and conversation skills, and allows

students to come during recess and other times

during the school day.

It has increased student engagement in the

library programming and has provided more foot

traffic and opportunities to engage with students.

Submitted by Candice Godfrey.

Plainview Elementary School

16002 SC-102

Patrick, SC 29584

District 7

Sampit Elementary School

69 Woodland Avenue

Georgtown, SC 29440

We have successfully had five Donors Choose projects funded in the last year to fill their specific

book requests to match what interests them and give them more choices. These opportunities have

increased their desire to read and by doing so, increased their personal efforts and abilities. Our

students love our library and finding new ways to explore and engage in reading! Submitted

by Anna Fox.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 58

At Southside Middle School Library, we serve 1094 students. We strive to support all aspects of

literacy learning through teaching research and how to vet resources, encouraging an organic love

of reading through our wide-variety of genres, supporting our teachers in the classroom and their

curriculum and standards, and allowing our students to experience the true learning commons that

is our library.

Southside Middle School Library has a Battle of the Books team that uses the South Carolina

Junior Book Award Nominees for competitions. Southside Middle is the reigning champ of Florence

One. Go Cubs! Our library also hosts the school MakerSpace Club, Gaming Club, and Book Club. In

addition to clubs, the school library keeps out puzzles and Stick Together mosaics for students to do

anytime they visit the library or need a brain break.

This year, our students have started a book review podcast. Students enjoying sharing their reading

life and encouraging their fellow students to check-out books they enjoyed. The Southside Middle

School Library is an awesome place to be! Submitted by Ashley Dawkins.

Southside Middle School Library

290 W. John Paul Jones Rd.

Effingham, SC 29541

https://www.f1s.org/domain/1682

District 7

"Students enjoying sharing their reading life and encouraging

their fellow students to check-out books they enjoyed."

59 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

District 7

The Media Center at Williams Middle School

supports student learning and achievement

through teaching and equipping. Use of

technology and digital resources stand out as

trademarks of the Media Center at Williams.

The Media Specialist collaborates with teachers

by teaching students about online research using

the State’s free electronic library SC Discus.

Teachers also bring students for book genre

tasting events where students learn about

various genres of literature and are exposed to

new types of books. In addition to supporting

teachers, the Williams Media Center is home to

the Tiger News Network, a daily student-run live

news bRd.cast.

Willliams Middle School Media Center

1119 N. Irby St.

Florence, SC 29501

https://www.f1s.org/domain/1693

Students share upcoming events each morning and are involved in all aspects of the show,

including filming, anchoring, and preparing the announcements. The crew was put to use during the

school’s Scripps National Spelling Bee final. Our school lacks a large enough space for the student

body to gather, but the TNN crew overcame that by live streaming the Bee. One of the celebrity

judges present at the Spelling Bee Final was State Senator Mike Reichenbach and thanks to the

TNN students, he was able to address the whole school from our Media Center using live streaming

technology.

The Media Center is also home to the school’s Battle of the Books team. Students read 10 of the SC

Junior Book Award books each semester and compete against other middle schools by answering

questions about these books. The middle school media specialists of Florence 1 Schools create

these questions and run competitions virtually using chromebooks, Google Meet, and Buzzin Live.

Three of WMS’s former team members recently placed third in the Book Battle competition at the

2023 Junior Beta Club Convention in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Williams Middle School Media Center

enriches student experience and embodies the South Carolina state motto: Animis Opibusque

Parati--"Prepared in mind and resources." Submitted by Heather Richardson.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 60

Wilson High School’s Media

Center serves students and staff

members in myriad and evolving

ways. Students visit the Media

Center to browse and check out

books for personal reading and

academic assignments and to

collaborate with their peers.

However, our Media Center is

more than a place to find books; it

is also a safe space for students

who are looking for a quiet place to

work or relax. Collaboration with

teachers enables the librarian to

teach digital literacy skills to

classes such as gauging credible

sources, using Discus for

research, using Destiny to find

materials, properly citing sources,

avoiding plagiarism, and

understanding bias in online

materials.

District 7

Wilson High School

1411 Old Marion Highway

Florence, SC 29506

Whole-class research in the library allows the teacher and librarian to collaborate and guide

students in their search for specific print and online resources. Students also visit the library to

participate in scavenger hunts and engage in rotating creative activities such as sticker mosaic art,

puzzles, coloring sheets, and Rangoli stencils. We create a monthly “Wilson Reads” poster that

features a staff member or student and their favorite books, and why reading is important to them.

Book displays rotate to feature monthly themes such as Black History Month, Women’s History

Month, careers, creative arts, and so on. In November, Wilson library staff and English teachers

were thrilled to take a field trip to the Pee Dee Fiction & Poetry Festival at Francis Marion University

to see Poet Laureate Ada Limon and writers Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Benjamin Percy, and Laura

Leigh Morris. The writers read passages from their works, described their writing process, and

answered student questions. The festival was a great opportunity for students to make real-world

connections and will hopefully become a yearly tradition for Wilson students and staff. We hope to

continually add new and exciting ways to promote reading, engage with students and staff, and help

students reach their academic goals. Submitted by Janna Palliser.

61 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

DID YOU KNOW?

HOW YOU CAN HELP...

Thank you

held 8,223,237 materials;

served 2,542,526 total registered borrowers;

had 10,165,262 visits to their locations;

checked out 13,573,239 physical items and 5,317,937 digital items

used;

held 46,164 total programs for South Carolinians with a total of

887,152 total in attendance.

In 2020, SC Public Libraries:

for supporting South Carolina Libraries!

Through your continued support, South Carolina Libraries can sustain programs and

resources such as StoryFest, DISCUS, Talking Books Service, and of course,

Summer Reading! These are just a few of the ways that libraries impact South

Carolina every day.

Continue your support of LSTA and IAL funding.

Support S. 5064 and H.R. 9056, The Right to Read.

Oppose obscenity legislation that criminalizes librarians and library workers.

Visit your local library to learn more about their policies and talk with the

professionals that work in the environment.

provided over $11.7 million in cost avoidance to member libraries compared

to individual market pricing for the core resources PASCAL provides;

opted-in resources produced over 7.1 million in cost avoidance for

participating libraries.

Fifty-five PASCAL libraries participated in at least one opt-in subscription.

From 2020 - 2021, Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries

(PASCAL):

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 62

KEY STATS MOST CHALLENGED

2012

A V E R A G E P U B L I C A T I O N

Y E A R O F C H A L L E N G E D

B O O K S

Sexual Content*

Offensive Language/Profanity

Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking

Violence

LGBTQ+ Themes or Characters

"Critical Race Theory"/Race Content

Controversial Religious Commentary

Innapropriate/Unsuitable for Age group

0100 200 300

REASONS FOR CHALLENGES

307

C H A L L E N G E S

144

T I T L E S

105

A U T H O R S

State of the State

2022

Censorship in South Carolina's School Libraries

Titles:

Author:

Ellen Hopkins (35)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (7)

Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (All versions - 6)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (All versions - 5)

55% of challenged titles include

main or major characters of color,

members of the LGBTQ+

community, or members of other

marginalized groups.

55%

The vast majority of titles were challenged for more than one reason.

* Sexual content may refer to "some level of description of sexual experiences of teenagers,

stories about teen pregnancy, sexual assault, and abortion as well as informational books

about puberty, sex, or relationships" (PEN America, 2022).

The South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) is alarmed by

the wave of censorship spreading across our state that threatens intellectual

freedom and the right to read. SCASL documented cases in 2022 and compiled

this report in order to educate others about this dangerous trend. Even as book

bans have escalated, legislators continue to introduce bills that would

facilitate censorship. It is our goal to bring attention to this problem so that we

can work together to stop censorship and protect the First Amendment rights

of all South Carolinians.

63 | Share Your Story: 2022-23

CHALLENGE RESULTS

DISTRICTS WITH CHALLENGES

CHALLENGERS

Unknown

Currently under review

Retained

Removed

Restricted, unknown restriction

Moved to another location

Restricted, parental permission

125

100

94% of

challenges did

NOT follow the

district's formal

challenge

procedure.

94%

Data Analysis and Report Compiled by: Tamara Cox, Dr. Jenna Spiering,

Ian Tyner, Jill Tyner

To report a challenge in your school library visit:

scasl.net/intellectual-freedom-committee

Admin (15%)

Board Member (15.3%) Parent (9.2%)

Community Member

(60.5%)

1 . B e a u f o r t - 9 9

2 . H o r r y - 8 4

3 . S p a r t a n b u r g 1 - 4 4

4 . S p a r t a n b u r g 6 - 3 6

5 . C h a r l e s t o n - 2 1

64%

T I T L E S T A R G E T E D

I N M O R E T H A N

O N E D I S T R I C T

D I S T R I C T S W I T H

M O R E T H A N 1 0

C H A L L E N G E S

AT LEAST 353,019

STUDENTS IMPACTED

BY CENSORSHIP

Librarians, educators, and community members reported challenges via the

SCASL webpage throughout 2022. Those submissions, local media articles, and

school board reports were used to compile an Index of Censorship. Important

trends and statistics from the index were used to create this report. This is likely

only a snapshot of challenges across the state. ALA surveys estimate that 82-97%

of book challenges remain unreported and receive no media.

A majority of

challenges came from

individuals outside of

the school community,

bringing lists from

sites like BookLooks,

and did not follow

formal procedures.

Share Your Story: 2022-23 | 64

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