How to Save Money!

Article contributed to local papers: Cheraw Chronicle and The Link

If you haven’t been in one of county libraries lately, we invite you to check us out. We’re trying to shed the “dusty, musty book” image and offer more opportunities for community interaction, partner with local organizations to provide services, and offer a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. CCL offers adult computer classes, JobSearch workshops, resume writing, crafts and arts programs, and literacy programs. Most of our programs are free or require only a nominal fee.

A luncheon, presentation, and book signing by author, John Laurence Busch, will be hosted by the Cheraw Friends and sponsored by the Matheson History Room Endowment committee, on Friday, November 18, 2011 in the Matheson Library conference room, beginning at 11:30 am. Mr. Busch’s book, Steam Coffin—Captain Moses Rogers and The Steamship Savannah Break the Barrier has significance, not only for maritime history, but for Cheraw history, as well. Weather permitting; an optional living history tour to Moses Rogers’ gravesite at Old St. David’s Cemetery will be available following the book signing. Details about the book are posted at Matheson. Because space is limited, reservations are required and you must register by Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Free!

Jason Broughton, State Library Consultant, will be offering a workshop on Jobsearching on the Internet from 6:00 until 7:00 pm at the Chesterfield Main Library. Instructions on how to fill out a job application will be offered in the second half at 7:30. If you haven’t been in the job market in years and need a refresher, join us on November. 3 beginning at 6:00 pm. Free!

Dearest to our hearts is our book service! We’re working hard to meet the needs and meet them quickly. But one thing is for sure – they are FREE! Beginning November 30, we are pleased to announce that we will be offering eBooks which you can download into nearly any format that works with your computer, eReader or other device. The downloaded books will expire at the end of their loan period so no returns necessary. Our staff will even help you learn to download ebooks on your own device. Overdrive will be our provider – go to this website and take a look to see how easy it is: www.overdrive.com.

Still fancy the paper and ink - if you’re buying your books because of the convenience or the “don’t want to wait syndrome,” think about this:

· The average price for hardcover fiction title is $26.00.

· The average price for mass market paperback fiction title was $6.80.

· The average price for an audio book fiction title was $50.42.

But, you don’t have to pay those prices, the library offers books, ebooks and audio books, FREE, along with many other services such as:

1. Magazines and Newspapers
   From Better Homes and Gardens to South Carolina Wildlife, our library has tons of magazines. We also carry the local papers, New York Times, The State and Charlotte Observer. Are you paying for magazines and newspapers that you just toss?
2. Audio Books - Coming Soon
   You will soon be able to check out audio books on every subject for your commute to work, for waiting on your kids at various sports practices or to listen to while you walk - check us out.
3. Free Periodical Searches
   In high school or college? We have access to DISCUS which will provide you with magazine articles, newspaper articles, special reference works, websites and all you pay for is the cost for print/copies – 10 cents a page.
4. Internet and Wi-Fi
   CCL offers free internet access and Wi-Fi, all you need is a library card to use our computers! Be aware that our libraries use a "censoring" program and parental consent may be required to use the Internet. Using our Internet services can save you as much as $25.00 a month.
5. Meeting Space

Our new “Meeting Room” policy allows nonprofit local groups and organizations to reserve the room, free for meetings during regular library hours. After hours, a $25.00 fee is charged for groups with some exceptions. Birthday parties, showers, parties, solicitation/sales, etc., do not fit under the goals and purposes of our institution. We welcome nonprofit, local organizations and clubs.

6. Movies
   We have children's movies, teen favorites, and blockbusters. Why buy a video for one or two viewings when you can borrow for free – save your 19.99!
7. Free Job Search and Resume Help
   We will be offering online assistance for job searching and resume writing. If you could use a refresher course on how to find a job or how to write a resume, check us out.
8. Other Free Services
   You’ll find tax forms, voter registration forms, test prep manuals and fax services, along with a variety of other services in the library. So save your money by visiting the library and getting your own library card that gives you carte blanche to global access for information, instantaneously. Check out the CCL library for varied programs and unbeatable bargains.

What’s happening in the CCL Stacks this month:

Nov. 3	How to Search for a job on the Internet, 6:00 pm - Chesterfield
Nov. 3	How to Fill Out a Job Application, 7:30 pm - Chesterfield
Nov. 7	Julia Griffin, local author 12:00 to 1:00, Bring a lunch, tea provided, Chesterfield
Nov. 8	Staff training - all branches CLOSED for state-wide software update
Nov. 9	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at Jefferson, must register
Nov. 10	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at McBee, must register
Nov. 11, 12	Veteran’s Day - Closed
Nov. 13	Research Team visiting Matheson
Nov. 16	Christmas Bling Jewelry Workshop 6:00 pm at Chesterfield, must register
Nov. 18	John Busch, author presentation & luncheon, Matheson 11:30, must register
Nov. 21	Make your very own pine cone bird feeder, 4-5 pm, Jefferson branch
Nov. 24-26	Thanksgiving Holiday - Closed

October Delights

October brings ...

• cooler weather
• colorful trees
• fires
• bazaars
• new books:

The Night Strangers' by Chris Bohjalian - October 4, 2011
The Best of Me' by Nicholas Sparks - October 11, 2011
The Litigators' by John Grisham - October 25, 2011
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney- October 6, 2011

Where do you use your library card?

Where do you use your library card? Chesterfield County Public Library is a member of SC LENDS consortium, meaning we share our resources, providing you with access to over 2.5 million library materials. SC LENDS, which stands for South Carolina Library Evergreen Network Delivery System, is an open-source integrated library system (ILS), which, allows us to manage transferring books between the 52 participating libraries. We share a single catalog, and any of our library users can search for items at any of the 52 libraries as easily as they search for items in our home library. Requesting items is as simple as clicking a button. Within a few days, any circulating item can be delivered from any SC LENDS library across the state. Your library card can also be used in any participating library across the state of South Carolina – just walk in browse their libraries, and check out what you want! You can return library resources to any participating library, as well.

The following libraries have joined SC LENDS so the next time you’re in one of these locations, check them out: Allendale- Hampton- Jasper Regional Library, Anderson County Library, Beaufort County Library, Calhoun County Library, Chesterfield County Library, Colleton County Library, Dorchester County Library, Fairfield, County Library, Florence County Library, Kershaw County Library, The South Carolina State Library, Union County Carnegie Library, Williamsburg County Library and the York County Library.

What all does this mean for you, as a library user?

• It means that you have access through your SCLends card to more than 2.5 million items, including books, videos, audiotapes and more.
• It means that there are many new features in the online public catalog that you can access from any Internet access computer. Many of these features are only available after you log into the "My Account" feature.
• You will need to establish a password the first time you access "My Account":
• Click on My Account. It is located at the bottom of the initial screen or on the left navigation pane after the initial screen. You will get a security page the first time. Just click through it.
• Enter your CCL library card 13-digit barcode number in the Username space.
• Enter the last four digits of your phone number for your password. If you’ve had your card more than a month, you may have already been assigned a randomly selected password, just ask what that is next time you’re in the library or give us a call.
• Click on Login.
• The first time you log on to "My Account", you’ll be prompted to change your password to a number/letter combination of your choosing. Your password must be at least 7 alphanumeric digits long. It is case-sensitive.
• Don’t hesitate to call and ask for help if you have any questions. We’re here to help you!

Upcoming events at the library include, our continuing computer classes for seniors, the Lunch In the Stacks event on September 29 – tickets are $8.50, call to reserve your ticket today! Storytelling event with Felicia Fleming McCall on September 28^th at Matheson Branch and on October 1, at 11:45 and 1:00 at the Chesterfield Branch. October 7^th, Brown Bag Lunch N’ Lecture Series continues with Elizabeth Dutton, sharing her newest book, 1,033 Reasons to Smile. By the way, if you don't read her blog, you need to check it out.

Thanks for reading with us! We’ll see you “in the Stacks!”

"What happens to the dream deferred?"

Glorious by Bernice McFadden.

Vivid details of Easter Bartlett’s personal journey through decades of history beginning with an intense and frightening South, taking you to the enriching and opportunistic period of the Harlem Renaissance. This book starts off with a horrifying intro that grabs the reader immediately. You are constantly moving from one terrifying experience to a moment of sharing happiness and laughter with Easter. Easter, determined to find happiness, is always moving to another experience in another town surrounded with exploding characters invading her life, sometimes in positive ways but most often leaving her to pack her bags and move on to the next intense experience. Autobiographical sketches of prominent black authors such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, are woven throughout the fictitious life of Easter and leaves the reader inquisitive about the real stories of these real people. McFadden introduces us to James Worley Johnson, the nation’s first black FBI agent, Ota Benga, a 4’11" African man who was put on display in the monkey house of the Bronx Zoo, and Mary Turner, the 2o year old pregnant girl who was viciously and brutally lynched. I don't recall many novels that have so richly and thoroughly dealt with the historical events of Harlem Renaissance period. Bernice McFadden, has done a fabulous job with this novel.

Constantly, I was emotionally drawn to Easter, laughing, crying, and cringing at the injustices. This is one passionate novel that demands discussion! I look forward to hearing from others that have read the book and learning from others that can enlighten me with additional real life connections in McFadden's novel.

National Library Card Sign-up Month at CCL

As Chesterfield County’s students head back to school this month, the Chesterfield County Library wants to make sure that all children have the most important school supply of all – a library card.

“Owning a library card provides students the resources they need to compete academically. Most public libraries (89.6 percent) provide students free access to databases of news articles, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, as well as homework help and resources. In addition, public libraries are the number one access point for free Internet access, an important resource for families without access at home when 96 percent of school districts require students to use the Internet to complete their homework.”

Getting a library card is easy. Just come by your local library and bring a picture id with proof of residence. If you work or attend school in our county, you are eligible for a free card with a school or work id. Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Chesterfield County Public Library is pleased to announce upcoming programs throughout the county. In Chesterfield, the main branch we will be starting a “Brown Bag Lunch N’ Lecture” series in September, featuring local writers during lunchtime. This is a free event, just bring your lunch and join us at 12:00 noon - tea and coffee will be provided.

September 7, Hal Duvall, author of The Vote and Juniper Road

October 7, Elizabeth Dutton, author of 1,033 Reasons to Smile

November 7, Julia Griffin, author of This and That, Bits and Pieces ...she will also be sharing books by her brother, John Robert Langdon

December 7, Tricia Thurmon – author of several local fiction titles and her newest title, Back To Me, digital novel. Discover how Tricia’s writing has emerged and blended with the new e-book concept.

On September 12, we will be offering Computer Classes For Seniors including Computers 101, Internet 101, Email 101, and Facebook 101. Classes will cover basic instruction on use and safety tips. Registration is required. Limit of 8 participants, unless you bring your own laptop. All classes are 1 ½ hours long, beginning at 9:30 and ending at 11:00. The series will be offered again in October. Please call 843-623-7489 to register or stop by the library.

“Lunch In the Stacks” is back! On September 29, in conjunction with the Chesterfield Carolina Fest, a luncheon will be held in the Chesterfield Library between 11:30 and 2:00. Tickets are $8.50 and can be purchased in the library. Please call to reserve your tickets at 843-623-7489.

Pageland Community Library will be offering a jewelry class in October and November so watch for the times and dates, which will be announced soon.

Have you always been fascinated by The Great Detective of Baker Street? Sherlockians come in many forms; generalists, specialists, cross-genre-ist, purists… and we’re looking to see what types of Sherlockians we have in our county. So, if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes, stop by the library or call to find out about our plans for Sherlockiana in Chesterfield County. Call Chesterfield County Public Library for more information 843-623-6720.

An effort to re-establish a “Friends of the Library,” which is a valuable asset to us, will be one of the major focuses during the next couple of months. The organization’s goal will be to build membership, hold fundraisers to help with the library's needs and provide volunteers to support programs. There is a great need for volunteers right now. Anyone that has typing skills, computer skills, physical strength, storytelling skills, or a simple willingness to help could donate just a few hours and make a great difference.

There is an outstanding staff at Chesterfield County Library and many of them have been here for many years. They are very supportive and very hard workers, pulling us through some difficult circumstances. They love this library and the community, and they do their best to meet the needs of the community.

In the Chesterfield Branch, Myrtis Burr is assistant to the director. Carol Gilmore is constantly busy cataloging and building the collection, and Jennifer Gulledge handles circulation and processing. Dorothy Hancock is the children's services librarian for all branches, as well as, floating staffer. In Pageland, Millie Bragg is the branch manager, assisted by Phyllis Mills. Lynn Walsh, manager for Matheson, is assisted by Beverly Allen and part-time assistant, Joyce Quick. The manager for Jefferson and McBee is currently vacant but that staff member holds down the fort in both of these branches. There are four staff members considered full -time and all others are part - time working 32 or 20 hours per week. This is a hard working group to keep five branches going, with three of them open six days a week, offering programs for the community, and keeping the collection updated and available.

Just a reminder that a library card is free and with it there is access to all member SCLends libraries including a courier service for 56 million materials at all of these libraries across South Carolina. For more information, visit the website at www.chesterfield.lib.sc.us.

Scarlet Sister Mary

Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Mood Peterkin, reveals the "scarlet" lifestyle of Sister Mary who brings 9 children, with 9 different fathers, into the world. Although, she married her first lover, he leaves and she continues her stint at mothering with eight more children. In the eyes of the church, Sister Mary is a "scarlet" sister.

The story is immersed in the Gullah history and exudes the superstitions, religion, and languages of the low country plantations of the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. Throughout the novel, the characters speak the Gullah dialect, which makes the reading a little more challenging, however, establishes the period and location for a more realistic setting. I rather enjoyed attempting to speak Gullah as I read. Julia Mood Peterkin, author, was a plantation mistress in South Carolina during the early 1900's which substantiates her experience but does leave the reader wondering if, indeed, she presents a realistic representation of all of her characters.

A 1929 Pulitzer Prize Winner and an oldie worth bringing off the shelf for a quick read.

Famous Last Words

My father once shared some profound words of wisdom with my husband. "I always have the last word (with my mom) and you'll be smart to remember this - it's always "yes, dear!" So far, Richard has done well honoring such sound advice from his father-in-law.

Famous last words ... in thinking about books you've read, do these lines sound familiar? Name novels with the following last lines?

1. "I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
2. All was well.
3. Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper.
4. Are there any questions?
5. In thirty minutes my whole life's ....done. Maybe I ought to keep writing, not just for the paper, but something else, about all the people I know and the things I seen and done. Maybe I ain't too old to start over, I think and I laugh and cry at the same time at this. Cause just last night I thought I was finished with everything new.
6. After today, he thought, the world will never be quite the same.
7. After all, tomorrow is another day.
8. You are afraid that you might forget, but you never will. You will forgive and remember. Think of the vine that curls from the small square plot that was once my heart. That is the only marker you need. Move on. Walk forward into the light.

What other favorite last lines do you remember?

Beat the Heat In the Stacks

With summer vacation just beginning next week, I’ve decided to gather my To Be Read list. Here is what I have so far and if you'd like to help me prioritize them, please post the book you recommend for starting out the summer. Or, tell us what you're reading.

Early From the Dance by David Payne

Gravesend Light by David Payne

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Iron House by John Hart released in July

The Litigators by John Grisham released in July

The Whole Payne Bit

"Back to Wando Passo quivers with authentic life and is so bold in concept and audacious in scope that it seems like the summing up and exclamation point of a great writer's career. The novel contains everything -- from the horror of 1860s rice culture slavery, to the perils of modern love, to the history of rock and roll . . . Payne takes on the whole known world and pulls it off with the deftness of a writer in his prime, enhancing a literary reputation that burns as brightly as any writer of his generation."
-- Pat Conroy

'Nough Said for me! This is an awesome book that you will not be able to put down, especially if you're a civil war buff! Payne takes the reader back to the civil war era while paralleling with a contemporary rock-n-roll family's lifestyle. As Ran discovers skeletons of the past, he begins to reveal the mystery of his wife's ancestors and continues the weaving of social issues such as racism, jealously, and revenge throughout the generations of the character's lives from 1860's to modern times. A bit of history, ghosts, rock-n-roll, and a lot of suspense.