From the Director's Desk
Posts from Carl Coffin, Library Director
The Value of a Public Library Card
Most consumers have some type of plastic card that they use on a daily basis. To think that we live in a world where most purchases can be made online or at a gas pump, without actually walking inside a place of business, is definitely a technological convenience.
But, in these tough economic times, what if a person is looking for a tangible item that they can use at no cost and return at no cost? It’s something that can save you hundreds of dollars per year in subscription fees and purchases. Are you interested in saving money on self-education? What if you are looking for a job or starting a business, or if you want to research your family tree at no cost?
With one tangible item that we offer, a person can have their child tutored at no cost or even visit a South Carolina State Park with their family – for free.
What kind of plastic card holds this much value? A public library card!
Public libraries are publicly funded entities that most communities have access too, but some people may not truly understand their value. The fastest path to self-achievement is still through reading good books on a topic of interest and then applying the knowledge learned. With a public library card, anyone regardless of income level has the same opportunity for self-growth.
At the Colleton County Memorial Library, a library card offers the following benefits:
• Unlimited access to children’s, young adult, adult fiction, non-fiction, and large print books for education and entertainment that can be borrowed for up to 21 days at no cost. After 21 days books may be renewed at no cost as long as no one else has requested the book.
• Access to a collection of DVD’s, Blu-ray and Video Games. A library card holder may borrow up to 10 DVD’s/Blu-ray and 1 Video Game for a period of 7 days. After 7 days the DVD, Blu-Ray or Video Game may be renewed as long as no one else has requested the item.
• Unlimited access to a collection of audio books on CD that may be borrowed for up to 21 days at no cost. After 21 days the audio book on CD may be renewed as long as no one else has requested the item.
• Unlimited access to a collection of manga and graphic novels. Each manga or graphic novel may be borrowed for up to 21 days at no cost. After 21 days the manga or graphic novel may be renewed as long as no one else has requested the book.
• Access to online services that allow for borrowing e-books, audio books, graphic novels, movies and music on an electronic device.
• Access to Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest, and Digital Reel databases for research and genealogy.
• Access to the South Carolina Digital Library (DISCUS) for education.
• Access to tutors at no cost using Tutor.com.
• Access to South Carolina State Park passes that may be borrowed at no cost.
• Access to public computer’s and Wi-Fi at no cost.
Acquiring a library card only requires a Colleton County resident to provide a picture I.D. with their local address. If their correct address is not listed on the picture I.D., another form of proof may be substituted listing the correct address. Examples are: lease agreement, property tax receipt, insurance card, or letter addressed to the property owner.
The public library is for everyone in a community no matter the age. It is a beacon of democracy and every citizen should never leave home without their library card.