One World, Many Stories

Registration for our 2011 Summer Reading Program begins Thursday, June 2! Come by the library on or after June 2 to pick up a packet and register kids for the Program. More information about the Program:

Children Ages 5-11
Events Thursdays at 1:30PM - advance tickets required!

June 9 - Kickoff with Magician Tim Sonefelt
June 16 - Zelnick the Magician
June 23 - Bruce Weaver Puppets
June 30 - Sharks, Tails & Teeth with Ripley's Aquarium
July 7 - Horry County Fire Department
July 7 - Last day to turn in completed Reading Logs & get tickets for Awards Day
July 14 - Awards Day for children who turned in a completed Reading Log by July 7.

Reading Log for ages 5-11: Record and add up time spent reading. When you reach 10 hours or more, turn in your log by July 7 to receive a reading medal.


Children Ages 3 & 4
Events Tuesdays at 11:00AM

June 7 - Bird stories with Red Robin
June 14 - Cow stories with the Chick-fil-a cow
June 21 - Bat stories with Celebrations Theatre
June 28 - Police stories with Sgt. Kegler
July 5 - Bear stories with Ms. Kim & Ms. Ameka
July 5 - Last day to turn in completed Reading Logs & get tickets for Awards Day
July 12 - Library stories with Ms. Darby and Ms. Ameka; Awards Day

Reading Log for ages 0-4: Read or listen to stories. Parents may list titles and record time reading. When you reach 10 hours or more, turn in your log by July 5 to receive a reading certificate.


Teens Ages 12-17
Read for at least 10 hours and complete three book reports of one page each. Turn them in by Thursday, July 14 to get tickets to the Awards Day party on Thursday, July 21 at 1:30PM. Everyone who turns in the completed Reading Log and 3 book reports will receive a certificate and medal.

Other notes: for all ages, please print your name clearly in the reading logs and book reports, so that we know what to put on your certificate.

Also, due to overcrowding and safety concerns, all programs at 1:30 on Thursdays are ticketed events. Parents and caregivers may pick up tickets to the following week's program after they drop off their child at the program. Due to overcrowding, no strollers are permitted in the meeting room or hallway during the program.

Have questions? Call or email us as listed at the top of the page. Hope to see you in the library soon!

Privacy in the news

It seems like a new story about privacy violations appears every day. We've found out that:

• Apple iPhones and iPads constantly track your location -- and then store the information on your device in a file anyone can easily open. (And it's not just Apple devices.)




• The information you post on Facebook is stored indefinitely and sold to advertisers. (Note: this article is from last year, but Facebook's privacy issues remain.)




• Even if you don't use Facebook or an iPhone, your personal information can become less than personal even after shopping at the grocery store.

Your information is out there in some quantity whether you like it or not. But the good news is that you have the ability to take charge of your own privacy. Visit privacyrevolution.org for more details.

And be sure to join us next Tuesday, May 3, at 6:00pm for a presentation on privacy today. It's necessary information if you use a computer, have a phone, work at a job, or have a bank account!
-Alan

New art exhibit by Peggy Thibodeau

We're pleased to present a new art exhibit by local artist Peggy Thibodeau in the non-fiction and periodicals area of the library. Peggy, also known as "the Sidewalk Chalk Prophet," has one artist's statement: "Oh, just whatever pleases!"

For more information about Peggy, visit http://www.peggyart.com/. For pictures of the exhibit (and of past exhibits), visit our www.facebook.com/socasteelibrary or www.flickr.com/socasteelibrary.

National Library Week, pt. 1

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." -Walter Cronkite

National Library Week began in 1958 as a way to celebrate and appreciate our nation's libraries. This year's theme is "Create your own Story @ your library," and we'll have some special blog posts throughout the week about our own library stories. So check back throughout the week! In the meantime, here are a few titles that any library lover will enjoy:

• This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson -- We're here to help.


• Library: An Unquiet History by Matthew Battles -- A surprising and lively history of libraries, from Alexandria to the present day.


• Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert -- You'd be surprised...

-Alan

Patron Appreciation Day

Join us this Friday, December 10, for our annual Patron Appreciation Day. We will have treats from Benjamin's Bakery and coffee from Cashua Coffee all day, as well as a special book sale. In the morning we will have music from classical guitarist Dennis Sergent.

See you there!

Computer Classes Return!

I'm glad to say that computer classes are back on a regular schedule. If you or anyone you know need a course in the basics or just a refresher, join us Tuesday, December 7th, at 10:15AM for Computers for Beginners.
In this class we learn about the parts of a computer, practice using the mouse and keyboard, and learn about the Windows 7 operating system. No experience is necessary, but signup is required, so stop by the circulation desk or call today!

Universal Class

What do Business Accounting, Adobe Photoshop, Chakra Meditation, Dog Training, Parenting, the Civil War and Poetry Writing have in common?

Answer: they're all classes you can take for free in our new Universal Class database! Universal Class has hundreds of classes on these and many other topics. Each class is instructor-led (meaning that an actual teacher creates the content and answers your questions) and self-paced (meaning you complete the class at your own rate). A class consists of about 10 separate lessons, with quizzes to pass before proceeding to the next lesson. The classes do not count for college credit, but UC is an authorized IACET provider, so they do count for Continuing Education Units if they're required in your field.

But try them out for yourself! To get to Universal Class (and to all of our databases):

• Visit www.hcml.org
• Click "databases" in the middle of the screen
• Scroll down to Universal Class (near the end of the list, in alphabetical order)
• Enter your barcode # and PIN when prompted if accessing from home

A representative from UC will be here Thursday, 11/4, from 4:20pm to 6:00pm to demonstrate the database and answer any questions you have.

Happy learning!
Alan

New Art

If you've been in the library lately you may have noticed our recent exhibit from Seacoast Artist Guild. We've been fortunate enough to host a second large exhibit from an all-new set of artists.

To see some selections from the exhibit, visit our Facebook photos or Flickr page.

Some of our exhibiting artists include:

• Bonnie Berchielli -- "Bonnie Berchielli is an award-winning photographer with the Seacoast Artist Guild. She grew up in northern New Jersey and lived in Rockland County, New York, before settling seven years ago in Murrells Inlet. Photography is a special hobby for Bonnie and she feels honored to present her work here at the Socastee Library alongside so many accomplished artists and photographers."
  
• Deborah Broad -- "Deborah Broad was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She studied fine art at the New York Phoenix School of Design and the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia. She is represented in corporate and private collections worldwide. Broad was the recipient of the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Award from the Pastel Society of America and her contributions have been recognized by The Artist Magazine."
  
• Diana Cochran Johnson -- "Diana Cochran Johnson has been taking photos since she was about twelve years old. Though her education veered into what she 'should' take instead of what she wanted...eventually passion won out. Though classically trained in B/W photography and darkroom techniques, she now feels the digital revolution makes it possible to take photography to degrees only dreamed of before."
  
• Yvonne Smoak Knight -- "Yvonne Smoak Knight grew up in the small town of St. Matthews, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina and is retired from the State of South Carolina. Since first signing up for an oil painting class in 2002, she has studied under numerous artists including Gloria Perkins, William McCullough, Betsy McDonald, and Mary Manos. Her award-winning art includes First Prize in advanced oils and her paintings have been displayed at Applewood, Mercy Hospice, Belin United Methodist Church, Calhoun County Museum, and the Orangeburg County Fair. She is a charter member of the Seacoast Artist Guild."
  

For more information about the exhibit or about any artist, please email us at the address listed above.
-Alan

Take a look at your library!

Check out our Flickr account at http://www.flickr.com/socasteelibrary.
You can see pictures of art displays, library programs, and more. The pictures are also on our Facebook page.

In other news, it looks like we'll be getting rain through the rest of the week and beyond. While this may wreck your beach plans, it's a great time to stop by the library and grab a few movies and a good book!

Adult Summer Reading Program

Have you entered the Adult Summer Reading drawing yet?
If not, be sure to pick up your Tic-Tac-Toe entry form at Socastee Library today and enter to win! All you need to do is fill in three across, three down, or three diagonally, and write your name and a contact phone number on the form. Just cut out the form and drop it in the entry jar at the library's main desk for your chance to win great prizes such as tickets to Le Grand Cirque, Carolina Opry, movies, and gourmet reading lover's baskets. Last chance to enter is Saturday, August 14, 2010. You must be age 18 or older to win. ~Sharon

Be a Friend!

Of the library, that is. The Friends of Socastee Library provide support to the library in a variety of ways. If you've taken your child to our Fall Festival or a Summer Reading Program event, eaten cookies on Free Coffee Friday, visited a Cultural Safari, or done just about anything else at Socastee Library, chances are you've enjoyed something provided by FOSL.

FOSL meets in our large meeting room the first Thursday of each month at 1:00PM. Why not drop by next Thursday and see if you'd be interested in joining the Friends or helping out?

-Alan

State Park Passports

Have you heard about the State Park Passport? It allows unlimited entry to all SC state parks for you and everyone in your vehicle. This can be quite a bargain when some parks charge $5 a person.

The two parks in Horry County are Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park, but the passport is good at all 46 SC park locations.

Currently we sell a discounted pass for $40. The regular price is $50. Beginning July 1st, Horry County Libraries will no longer sell the discounted pass. So hurry in and get your pass from Socastee Library today!

Memorial Day

All Horry County libraries will be closed Monday, May 31, for Memorial Day.

Memorial Day commemmorates the men and women who died while in military service. You can read more about the holiday from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Your library can also help you learn more about our military history and the stories of our soldiers. Try some of the following:

• The War, Ken Burns' documentary series telling the stories of people in four ordinary towns and showing how World War II affected every area of life. Available as a DVD series, book, and audiobook on CD.
• Band of Brothers, historian Stephen Ambrose's story of the E Company of the US Army's 506th Regiment.
• Patriotic Holidays of the United States explains the history and development of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and many other celebrations.

-Alan

Live Music & Much More at the Library!

Well, just a few more days left in February and do you know what that means? You still have time to come in during Library Lovers' Month to enter our drawing for our gift basket giveaway. "How do I enter," you ask. Simple, for every three books you check out, you'll receive one ticket entry into the drawing for the gift basket. The more you check out, the more entries you'll have! If you are our lucky winner you will be notified on March 1st to pick up the basket filled with a library lover's dream...books, candles, chocolates, lotions, and yes, even a Socastee Library tote bag!

What's more to love about your Socastee Library this month...

On Thursday, February 25th, Socastee Library will be hosting a Customer Appreciation Day. Join us for live music with accomplished pianist, Mike "Crazy Fingers" Floyd. He will entertain you from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Also stop by between 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for some sweet treats, as our way of thanking you for your patronage.

Be sure to check out some of our books about libraries and librarians and fill out one of our paper hearts telling us why you love your library!

Yes, Virginia, there is a lot going on at the public library!

-Kim

Teen Program

It’s “Twilight” Time

A program for Teens

Teens, join us in the Socastee Library Meeting Room on Tuesday evening, February 9, 2010, for the romantic and suspenseful story of Bella and Edward .

Movie is based on the novel by Stephanie Meyer. Rated PG-13.

5:30 – 6:00 (Photo Op) photos taken with stand-up characters from the movie – bring your camera!

Play a game of movie-related trivia.

6:00 – 7:30 – Movie, refreshments, door prize

Call the library -843-215-4700 for more information and to sign-up for this program.

Linda

Upcoming Computer Classes

Here are the computer classes offered in February:

• Friday, February 12, 1:00-2:00PM, we will be offering Internet 301: Introduction to the Internet. You'll be able to learn the history of the Internet, the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web, and how to surf the web safely.


• Thursday, February 18, 10:15-11:30AM, we will be offering Computers 101: Introduction to Computers. In this class, you will learn about the parts of the computer, including the CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard. You will also learn how the basics of Microsoft’s Windows operating system.


• Wednesday, February 24, 6:00-7:00PM, we will be offering Computers 104: Maintaining Your Computer. You'll learn how to extend the life of your computer and keep it running smoothly. This class explains easy computer maintenance and includes tips for upgrading and recommendations for free software.

Signup for these classes begins Monday, February 1st. See you there!

-Alan

Don't forget!

...all Horry County libraries will be closed Thursday - Sunday, December 24-27 for Christmas. Socastee Library will reopen Monday, 12/28 at 10:00AM. All libraries will also close at 5:00PM until January 2, 2010.
Happy Holidays!

Welcome to our library

Welcome to the blog of the staff of Socastee Library. Check here to find book reviews, information about programs and services, and humorous happenings at your library.