Donation Policy for the Friends

            The Friends of the Calhoun County Library (FOCCL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that sponsors and supports library book clubs, fundraisers, teen internship opportunities, and library advocacy efforts.

            Every Tuesday afternoon between 2 PM and 5 PM, the Friends of the Calhoun County Library opens their special sales room which  can be accessed from inside or outside of the library. You can browse through the room and pick up whatever your heart desires: hardback books, paperback books, DVDs, audiobooks, puzzles, and some other surprises. Best of all, it won’t break the bank.

Hardback books $2 (3 for $5)

Paperback books $1 (7 for $5)

AudioVisual Materials $2 (3 for $5) *BluRay $4 (3 for $10)

Board Books for Babies $ .50 (5 for $2)

Jigsaw Puzzles $5

            With a major overhaul and reorganization over the last year, there are many new titles and categories to explore. There is also an extensive selection of Christian fiction, children’s books, biographies, historical non-fiction, and even fun, gently-used jigsaw puzzles. Check out the book display in the window to see what’s new. 

            During the library’s regular business hours, there is always a little cart by the circulation desk that has books for purchase. These purchases also benefit the FOCCL. So, whenever you come in, check out the cart to see if anything sparks your fancy. You might see something you must have for your own collection!

            If you would like to donate your books and movies to help out the Friends of the Calhoun County Library and the Calhoun County Library, please read the following policy:

The Friends of the Calhoun County Library accepts donations of reading and audio/visual materials in good condition. Good condition items are new/gently used and free of mold, mildew, stains, strong odors, and missing/torn pages.

We are unable to accept reference materials (encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, etc.), older nonfiction materials (more than 5 years), computer/technology/medical manuals, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books or Illustrated Classics, periodicals/magazines of any type, and obsolete media formats (VHS, cassette, etc).

            For information on becoming a Friend or finding out when the best time to donate is, call the Library at (803) 874-3389. Don’t forget to come check out the sale next Tuesday; you never know what you might come across at the Friends of the Calhoun County Library Book Sale!

Santa at the Library

            Patrons of the Calhoun County Library came together to snack on some hot chocolate and cookies with Santa on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 5 PM - 7 PM.

            Over 300 people visited the library to celebrate Christmas which is quickly approaching. There were crafts for the children to create angel doilies, cinnamon stick Christmas trees, and other holiday-themed fun. After making crafts, guests enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies while listening to Christmas books being read aloud. We even spotted the Grinch lurking around and posing for pictures with patrons!

            Of course, the big highlight of the night was Santa Claus. Many children asked where his reindeer were. Sadly, the library does not have a big enough parking space so Santa had to park his sleigh by the Convalescent Center and get a ride to the library! Santa found his way to the library and made his way through our doors with jingling bells and a hearty Ho, Ho, Ho! He sat in his big chair in his red suit and listened to what every boy and girl wanted for Christmas as they sat on his lap. After their visit with Santa, each child received a special candy cane from the North Pole!

            This event was the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and we are happy to announce that it was a huge success this year!

            If you came to the event and took a picture with Santa, feel free to tag us on social media. Our tag on both Instagram and Facebook is: @calhouncountylibrarysc

20 things You Need to Know Before Leaving High School at the Calhoun County Library

Part Three: Cooking

            We were cooking up some fun at the Calhoun County Library last week! Local teens of Calhoun County gathered at the library to learn more life skills that they should know before leaving high school. Our focus was on cooking.

            On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, teenagers learned the difference between tablespoons and teaspoons, the purpose of using oil or butter when cooking on a skillet or griddle, the proper way to use a spatula, how to blend flavors, and what the buttons on a microwave mean. They also took a kitchen utensil quiz and were introduced to items like a colander, a grater, and a garlic press.

            Our teens even got hands-on experience! We brought in a griddle and a microwave to get our teens cooking. After getting instructions along with a recipe, these teenagers made themselves a full meal! They made pico de gallo from scratch including seasoning to taste with cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, cilantro, and lime juice. Then they moved on to the griddle for grilled quesadillas prefaced by learning how to coat the surface with either cooking spray or cooking oil. They waited patiently until their tortillas were golden brown and the cheese inside was ooey-gooey and then enjoyed a delicious quesadilla with homemade pico de gallo. To finish off their culinary skills, they made microwave S’mores that were just right. Ten seconds in the microwave is all it takes!  Our meal consisted of easy recipes that teens can make with a few ingredients and a little bit of time.

            Our teens were so proud of themselves and didn’t realize what they could actually cook. After last week’s Teen Night, they know they can survive if they ever have to! It was a lot of fun and delicious too!

            With the holidays so close, our teens have decided to skip meeting again in December. The next Teen Night will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 5 PM. Any teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 are welcome to join us and have fun!

Library Card Design Contest

            Have an artist in your family or maybe just a doodler? The Calhoun County Library is hosting a design contest for the new library cards that will be making their way into the library shortly.

            We’re introducing two new library cards at the Calhoun County Library: Early Leaning and Juvenile library cards. Help us choose the artwork to be featured on these cards by participating in our design contest. 

            This contest is for students ages 5 - 16 who reside in Calhoun County. This is open for all schools in the county including homeschooled children. Three designs will be chosen for the new cards. Winning artists will receive a $25 gift card and their art teacher will receive a gift card for future art supplies for the classroom. 

            To apply, pick up an application at the Calhoun County Library, get one from the art teacher at all Calhoun County schools, or visit our website (calhouncountylibrary.org). The application consists of two sheets: one is where the artist will place their creation and the second is an information sheet that needs to be filled out together as it gives us permission to use the winning design on our new cards. Designs may be submitted at the library or electronically at info@calhouncountylibrary.org.

            The due date for the application is next Friday, December 16, 2022, by 5 PM.

            If you want to see your design or your child’s design on our new library cards which will circulate throughout the county, pick up an application today!

Feeling Festive with Porkchop

            Porkchop Productions, a community favorite, visited the Calhoun County Library on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 5 PM to get everyone in the holiday spirit. We had a full house with 90 people who visited the library to watch Porkchop Productions perform their Christmas play Holly and the Christmas Kerfuffle.

            “With only a few days left before Christmas, toys are disappearing from the Toy Safe in Santa’s Workshop and Holly the Elf is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery! Holly will go to any length to catch the thief…from the outrageous to the hilarious… to make sure Christmas goes off without a hitch!”

            “This installment of our Holly the Elf series was filled with plenty of laughs, and taught important lessons in understanding, the gift of giving, and learning to put yourself in someone else's shoes.”

            The roomful of people were laughing and problem-solving with the actors who were trying to protect the toys from being stolen by a thief. We won’t give away the ending, but the life lessons of caring and believing in yourself were important for everyone to learn. Audience members learned to give back to others, be understanding, and remember that you do not know what someone else is going through. This play will be one Christmas memory people of all ages will savor for a long time.

            The Calhoun County Library’s next holiday program will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 5 PM - 7 PM. Join us for Cookies with Santa! There will be hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, books, and, of course, Santa Claus! Sit on his lap, tell him what you want for Christmas, and take some holiday pictures before Santa has to return to the North Pole. We hope to see you for Cookies with Santa!