Richland Library

After 15 years of impactful service to Richland Library, Melanie Huggins is transitioning from her role as executive director on December 6. Under her leadership, library cardholders in Richland County reached nearly half the population, with over 1.2 million annual visitors. Melanie transformed Richland Library into a fine-free system to eliminate barriers to access and prioritized equity and social justice, improving customer experiences and designing impactful spaces. As we celebrate Melanie’s remarkable tenure, we also look forward to Richland Library’s future. We are confident that the organization is well-prepared to continue its important mission, thanks in large part to the vision and dedication of this exceptional leader. Please join us in celebrating the mark Melanie has made on our community. You can read more about Melanie and her time impacting the culture of Richland Library and the community here: https://bit.ly/3Y7XWcw #ThankYouMelanie

October is National Community Planning Month. We're celebrating the vital role planners play in creating safer, more resilient, equitable, and prosperous communities. Thank you to all the city planners in Richland County for your hard work! Check out our #StaffPicks list highlighting the impact and challenges of planning at the link in bio.

When you arrive at your polling location to vote in any election, you'll be greeted by workers who sign you in, set up the voting machines, and help you vote. It's something an ordinary citizen can do to participate in our democracy! #OnTheBlog learn more about the people who work at your local polling location and how you can apply to be one of them: https://bit.ly/47PyXPA

Join us for an inspiring evening with educator, entrepreneur, and civic leader Gretchen D. Barron as she shares insights from her book "The 4G Factor." Discover how Grit, Guts, and Grind can lead to true greatness. After the discussion, stay for a book sale and signing with the author. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gYF1ct

We're excited to announce Richland Library's 2024-2025 Board of Trustees Officers! Learn more about the Richland Library Board of Trustees here: https://lnkd.in/eNqnENaK

We're hosting a non-partisan conversation about the upcoming presidential election. Whether you're a first-time voter or a seasoned participant, this event will offer valuable insights into the voting process and the key issues on the ballot. 📍 Richland Library Main 📅 Monday, October 7 ⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3XDTcuI

Earlier this month, Richland Library hosted The Power of Conversation: Let's Talk Race Facilitator Conference from September 11th to 13th at our Main location. The event brought together over 40 participants from libraries and organizations across the United States. We were inspired by dynamic speakers like Chris Singleton, exchanged insights during panels on hosting courageous conversations, and networked with fellow EDI practitioners. The SC63 walking tour, the visit to the Anne Frank Center, and other immersive experiences were powerful reminders of the impact of proximity. We also left with valuable new strategies to support our wellness in this important work. Thank you to all the speakers and attendees for making this conference such a success! To learn more about the Let’s Talk Race curriculum: https://lnkd.in/e9UrgXbH

Need a place to connect? Our library locations are here for YOU! Whether you’re looking for reliable WiFi or a spot to charge your devices, we’ve got you covered! 🔌💻 Our libraries also offer dedicated spaces for children and teens, ensuring that students can stay engaged and continue learning while school is out. 🧒📖🧑🎓 Come visit us and make the most of our resources! We're here to support you and your family.

Due to inclement weather conditions, all library locations will close at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, and reopen at noon on Friday, September 27. We are monitoring Hurricane Helene and will provide updates on any further library closings. Please stay tuned to our communication channels for more information.

It’s #BannedBooksWeek, and we’re reminding our followers that we support everyone’s right to read freely. Through reading, we find ourselves, each other, and the essence of freedom. The right to read is a shared value we can all celebrate. Banning books limits our ability to learn and grow. According to the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, these are the most challenged books of 2023.