Save the Children Appreciation

 

We would like to send the biggest thank you to Save the Children! They generously donated so many books and Raddish Kids kits for us to give out to our community. We are grateful for Save the Children. Everyone, help us thank them!

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

            The Calhoun County Library held a volunteer appreciation luncheon following the Summer Reading Program finale on July 27.

It is no secret that we could not hold specialty events and programs without the help of our dedicated volunteers. After a busy summer filled with summer reading programs and Science Camp, we wanted to express our gratitude to every member of our community who volunteered and donated their time to help us out. These wonderful community members did everything from passing out snacks and giveaway books to helping with crafts and managing crowds. They greeted patrons and kept a count of how many people came to the library for all of the programs, and they assisted with summer reading registrations and prize distributions for reaching milestones. They were also wonderful advocates for spreading the word about all the great programs we have here at the library. We rely on our volunteers and appreciate their giving of their time and talents. They are a vital part of our Programs and Outreach Department here at the library.

Our volunteer appreciation luncheon took place immediately after our summer reading program finale. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert while we were able to relax and talk about the success of the summer reading program. It was nice to unwind and relay our gratitude to our steadfast volunteers. We continue to thank them for helping our library be the best it can be!

Summer Reading Finale

            The Calhoun County Library celebrated the end of the Summer Reading Program with a local performance, an awards ceremony, ice cream, and the distribution of the grand prizes.

Celebrating Summer Reading is something that the Calhoun County Library looks forward to every year. It’s a fun-filled time of learning, laughing, and reading, and participants even get prizes for their efforts. Every summer is filled with excellent programs that are entertaining and educational, and they always focus on literacy. We pull books for display after each weekly program so that children can check out books about what they have just seen.  This year we had a great turnout with over 120 registered readers and in total we logged well over 32,000 minutes of reading. That’s a lot of reading!

The finale took place on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:30 AM. For the first 20 minutes, we had the pleasure of having the Ukaloonies perform interactive songs such as “B-I-N-G-O,” “Rockin’ Robin,” and “Calendar Girl.” Both children and adults were dancing and singing along while our local group of rock stars made beautiful music for us all to enjoy.

After that engaging performance, it was time to give out certificates and brag tags to everyone who participated in our Summer Reading All Together Now Program. We even had a few patrons that completed the entire challenge, meaning they read and logged 600 or more minutes throughout the summer, and they received medals during the finale. The names are as follows: Aria Coble, Elena Coble, Jessie Coble, Hannah Nelson, Joanna Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Matiaz Serrano, Monica Serrano, Rita Serrano, and Isaac Williams.

Following the certificate presentation, the grand prize winners were announced. These winners were randomly and digitally selected from all those who logged at least 60 minutes of reading. The winners of the two early literacy tricycles were Aaliyah Edmond and Tilly Hair. The four winners of the children’s bicycles were Matiaz Serrano, Angela Griffin, Cailin Shirer, and Rita Serrano. The two teen Kindle winners were James Prickett and Miryam Gutierrez. The two adult Kindle winners were Jean Miller and Stephanie Burnette.

What a great time we had all summer long from watching puppet shows to making origami animals to holding tarantulas! It was all because we love to read! Thank you to our sponsors, the State Library for providing funding for our programs and Save the Children for providing our giveaway books. They made it possible for this summer reading program to be such a success!

This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

Creepy, Crawly Critters

            Are you afraid of spiders, snakes, or other reptiles and insects? If so, you should have come to the Calhoun County Library last week and you might have learned to love them!

The Critter Keeper visited the library on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Both the 10:30 AM program and the 1:30 PM program were at maximum capacity. Ranging from a tortoise named Michelle to a 15-year-old 8-foot albino Burmese python named Julius Squeezer, the Critter Keeper presented an educational, entertaining program for both kids and adults.  Everyone enjoyed it! There may have been a few instances where the audience jumped out of their seats, but they were short-lived and worth every bit of excitement. The amount of joy this program brought to all the children, adults, volunteers, and staff members on hand is immeasurable. Some of our lucky guests even got to hold a tarantula and eight of our audience members formed a human cradle to hold all eight feet of Julius Squeezer!

Not only were we able to see some cool animals that aren’t typical pets, but we were learning life lessons the whole time, too! Learning new words like arthropod, fluorescent, and Uromastyx, the children did not even realize they were learning about respecting animals and each other. Critter Keeper emphasized having an “attitude of gratitude.”

Don’t forget that the Critter Keeper gave everyone homework to do! While we know that we have to treat animals with respect so they don’t hurt us or themselves, we have to respect the people around us, too. Parents might upset us, but we have to remember that they are acting in our best interest. So, make sure to do your homework and give your parents and the adults in your life a big hug and tell them that you appreciate them. Just like animals, we need love.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and enjoying this program with us. We love having the Critter Keeper here and we know that everyone in Calhoun County does too!

This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

Three Summer Reading Program Events

            The Summer Reading Program has been a blast at the Calhoun County Library this year with educational, fun-filled performances.

On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Porkchop Productions visited the library to perform the play Imperfect Strangers: The Ant & The Grasshopper. During this play, personalities collided when a hard-working ant and a lazy grasshopper found themselves in a living situation that was too close for comfort! This new, reimagined adaptation taught the important lessons that hard work pays off...and teamwork makes the dream work! Everyone enjoyed the performance which was engaging and hilariously funny!

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, origami master and storyteller, Yasu Ishida came to the library. Yasu taught everyone about traditional Japanese theatre and music and then everyone got the chance to make origami animals. Yasu integrated magic and storytelling as he guided us to the enchanted land of Japan. Origami animals were a huge hit! Folding paper according to Yasu’s instructions allowed us to create origami in the shape of dogs, frogs, and foxes. We even have some of them hanging in the children’s section of the library now! Come and take a look at our origami mobile!

On Thursday, July 12, 2023, Tim Sonefelt put on a magic show through storytelling. All about friendship and being kind, Tim’s program incorporated books featuring honesty, loyalty, and friendship with others who might be different from us. Before the show was over, a special guest came out. Larry the Duck made an appearance and created many laughs just being silly. Tim amused the crowd with his talent as a ventriloquist. Through magic, stories, book talks, and a puppet, Tim Sonefelt had everyone smiling!

All three of these shows were absolutely wonderful, educational, and entertaining and everyone attending had a great time. Kids took part in collective crafts where children worked together to make a finished craft such as handprint leaves on our trees in the forest or origami animals for our origami mobile in the children’s section. After each show, every child went home with a free book and a snack.

Don’t forget to document your time reading in the Beanstack app to be entered to win prizes that will be announced at the Summer Reading Program finale next week on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:30 AM. We have special guests, the Ukaloonies, coming to our summer reading finale to play and sing with us! There is still time to enter and pick up your milestone prizes too!

This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

Successful Science Camp

            STEM Science Camp at the Calhoun County Library in June was a huge success that allowed 30 students to express themselves through experiments and hypotheses.

            Monday, June 19, 2023, through Friday, June 23, 2023, the Calhoun County Library held a free STEM Science Camp for children aged 6 – 12. The camp was led by chemist Doctor Lesa Rice-Jackson. Treating the classroom like a true chemistry lab with safety goggles and gloves, our scientists set out to experiment!

            On day one we learned about how certain materials such as bluing agent, kosher salt, and others can be combined to create homemade crystals. Each student got to choose a combination of materials to create two of their very own crystals.

            On day two and three, we tested acids and bases with PH testing strips. Using cabbage water as our testing solution, we added it to cups filled with coffee grounds, crushed vitamin C tablets, vinegar, soda, and other materials found at home. Once the cabbage water was added, we got to see how they reacted to each other. Some of the cups we tested turned hot pink, light pink, and even some yellowy orange.

            On day four, we mixed oil and water together to see if they would combine. Low and behold, they don’t! Our students were amazed to find out that oil will float on top of the water instead of mixing together or sinking to the bottom.

            On day five, our final day of STEM Science Camp, it was time to reveal how their crystals were growing and, of course, time for awards. We had three special awards this year: the best crystal, the best journal, and the best helper. In addition to those awards, every student who completed STEM Science Camp received a certification and a coupon for a free meal at Chick-fil-A. Thank you to Chick-fil-A for providing our scientists with a meal as a reward for all their hard work.

            Thank you to every student, parent, volunteer, staff member, and Doctor Lesa Rice-Jackson for all your help during STEM Science Camp. We hope that everyone had a wonderful time and learned a bunch about bases, acids, and crystals. We look forward to putting this on next year!

A New Library System

            The Calhoun County Library is migrating to a new software system and this will affect the patrons for a short period of time.

Our library along with the other 52 libraries associated with SC Lends will be undergoing a migration to a new software system. Things may look a little different and you may not be able to access your online account briefly. You will see a red banner on the OPAC system as well with all the information about this migration. As we get accustomed to this new system, we ask that you be patient with us as we take on this exciting task. We know you will enjoy the benefits of our new system.

In addition to all of these changes, the library will be closing for a few days. On Thursday, June 22, 2023, we will remain open for the Summer Reading Program Porkchop Productions event, but we will not be able to check out any library materials and will close to the public at noon. We will remain closed to the public on Friday, June 23, 2023. STEM Science Camp will not be affected by these closures.

Library resources such as Libby will be still available for all audiobooks and ebooks needs.

We apologize for the short notice, but we are looking forward to implementing a new software system at the Calhoun County Library.

Summer Reading Has Started at the Calhoun County Library!

            Summer Reading has officially started at the Calhoun County Library and the programs have been great so far. Please join us each Thursday at 10:30am as we are “All Together Now” learning new things each week.

The Summer Reading Program Kickoff took place Thursday, June 8 and it was a blast - literally!! We got to play in foam that was blasted out of a foam cannon!  Foam n Fun visited the library and created a field of foam in front of the courthouse. It was such a fun experience for all ages, kids and kids at heart.  Everyone can relate to playing with the foam in a bubble bath, but this was like a giant bubble bath without the water. After all, the best part of a bubble bath is the bubbles! It was a new experience for most participants who said they’d never seen anything like it. Curious onlookers even came over to see what it was all about!  Who knew playing in foam could be so much fun? To top off our bubble playground experience,  Randolph’s Italian Ice was  there giving away free Italian Ice to help everyone stay cool. There were games for all ages, bubbles to chase and pop, water guns for the babies, and funky music for a dance party. Kids used sidewalk chalk to create a masterpiece on the paved area to represent our theme this summer, “All Together Now.” It really was a kickoff to remember.

Following an amazing kickoff, the Columbia Marionette Theatre visited on Thursday, June 15. Everyone loves puppets, and these puppets were a little different from hand puppets.  Marionettes are puppets that are manipulated with strings and controlled with or without the puppeteer being visible. Unless you’ve visited the Columbia Marionette Theatre in Columbia, you may not have ever seen a marionette show. Puppets came to life as the puppeteers pulled and tugged at strings to create movements and gestures for each puppet. Kids and adults were mesmerized by the movements as they watched puppets walk across the stage, jump down into the audience, and even get down on one knee to sing a song. The puppets shared the story of the Three Little Pigs, but they put their own spin on the legendary tale. As the puppeteers told the audience that every story can have a different ending, we quickly realized that this story would not end up with the wolf eating the little pigs. Not only was the show entertaining, but it also reinforced a wonderful life lesson.

Don’t miss next week when Yasu Ishida, a Japanese storyteller, magician, and origami artist, will amaze us by combining traditional Japanese theater, music, origami, magic, and storytelling at 10:30 on June 29. Come on and have some fun with us!

Our Summer Reading Program is completely free and everyone is invited to attend the programs. While you’re here, we can get you signed up for summer reading. For every 60 minutes you read, you get a prize and your name goes into a drawing for grand prizes such as new bikes and Kindles to be given away at the end of summer!

This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library. Thank you to Save the Children for also donating giveaway books!

A Forest in the Library?

            There’s a forest in the library?

            Come to the Calhoun County Library and take a walk through our forest! Summer Reading is just around the corner and our theme this year is All Together Now: In the Forest. Every animal, plant, and material in a forest work together and play a part in creating a successful ecosystem. Since forests cover about ⅓ of the Earth’s surface, they’re pretty important. Whether you’re listening to an owl hoot or a cricket chirp, the sounds of a forest all come together to form nature’s orchestra. Since you’ll already be at the library, check out some books about a forest, its animals, or its climate. Come take a look around and take some pictures with our special friend. (Hint. He’s tall, brown, and may like to eat honey.)

            The next program at the library is on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:30 AM. The Columbia Marionette Theatre is going to be performing “Build it Better with the Three Little Pigs.” Watch as three of our favorite storybook characters "Build a Better World" for themselves by combining their resources and working together to keep the Big Bad Wolf at bay. Special cameo appearance by Little Red Riding Hood.

            Don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program! It’s completely free and puts you in the drawing to win a prize at the end of the summer. To register, visit calhouncountylibrary.beanstack.org or scan the below QR Code.

            This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

A Fun Foamy Summer Reading Kickoff

            The Calhoun County Library invites everyone to attend the Summer Reading Kickoff in June to participate in an outdoor activity that your children are bound to love.

             Summer Reading is just around the corner. With it starting soon, we figured it was time to release our surprise. The Summer Reading Program Kickoff will take place on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, but that is not the surprise. This year, our kickoff event is going to feature - SURPRISE!! -  FoamnFun which will bring a foam party to us. It’s like a giant bubble bath outside! The foam solution is safe, biodegradable, and made from a soap ingredient base with vegetable glycerol plus water. It will take up a large area and look like a wintery wonderland made of bubbles! How cool is that? Depending on how active your child is during the playtime, some kids get damp and some kids definitely get as soaking wet as possible, of course. Feel free to bring the kids in swimsuits, and bring towels and goggles! Also, don’t forget your sunscreen! While supplies last, we will also be giving away free Randolph’s Italian Ice to cool everyone off.

            This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

Art Winners for the New Library Cards

            The Calhoun County Library held a contest for artwork to be featured as the design of three new library cards and the winners have been chosen.

Art is a way of expressing yourself, and here at the Calhoun County Library, we wanted to give some new expression to our library cards. To accomplish this task, we reached out to local students and relied on their creativity. This contest was for students ages 5 - 16 who reside in Calhoun County and was open to all students in the county including homeschooled children. Three designs that met certain criteria were chosen by a panel of judges. Congratulations to:

Kimberly Alvarez, CCHS

Kaylen Bagwell, CCHS

Ruby Tang, Home Schooled

The three categories for junior library cards are Early Learner (a new category for ages

 0 - 5), Juvenile (ages 5 - 16), and Juvenile Restricted (restricted to borrowing from the juvenile section of the library only).

Winning artists received a $25 gift card and their art teachers received a gift card for future art supplies for their classrooms. These new designs are now circulating throughout the county, so be on the lookout for some colorful library cards.

All of us here at the Calhoun County Library would like to thank everyone for their participation in this competition and offer our congratulations to all three of our winners and their teachers. We can finally get these creative cards in patrons’ hands and make our community a little more colorful! So, come to the library and pick out one of these designs! Even if you already have a library card, you can exchange it for a new one!

I Won BINGO!

            “B4. G57. I29. O74. N34.”

“BINGO! I have BINGO!”

The Calhoun County Library had a great turnout for the BINGO program kickoff last week.

12 people visited the Calhoun County Library on Thursday, May 4, 2023, to engage in some community fun playing BINGO. Of course, it would not be BINGO without prizes! We gave out prizes such as a frothing wand, glass cup, water bottle, and a $25 Visa gift card. In addition, Connie Hart-Jamison from Unique Sensations donated 2 Starbucks gift cards for tiebreakers. Thank you to Unique Sensations!

BINGO will occur on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. After a successful kickoff, we look forward to having an even bigger crowd next month, on June 1, 2023, at 5:30 PM! Come play with us at the Calhoun County Library! There will be fun and prizes to be won by you!

Purple Martin Paintings

            The Calhoun County Library staff and teen advisory board members had a wonderful experience painting with everyone at the Purple Martin Festival on Earth Day. We loved meeting new people and watching their artistic skills bloom. There are some talented artists in Calhoun County. Thank you to everyone who visited our tent and a special thank you to Calhoun County High School visual arts teacher and former teacher of the year, John Sawvell, who instructed the painting process and guided our gifted artists.