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Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina PDF Free Download

Share your story; Libraries Support South Carolina PDF free Download. Think more deeply and widely.

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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
25
125
50
0
100
75
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
6 75
4
32
2