Walk into the Colleton County Memorial Library, Cottageville Library,
Edisto Beach Library, or Mobile Library on any given day, and you will be greeted by a real, live human, not A.I. or a selfcheckout
machine. In a rapidly changing world, public libraries have adapted, but
the brand of the public library remains one of privacy and access to accurate information.
To maintain public trust as a reliable source for accurate information, our library system in Colleton County adheres
to a collection development policy adopted by the library board of trustees. The library board of trustees is composed of community citizens who reside in this County and are appointed by Colleton
County Council to a term of four years.
There are 46 counties in South Carolina, and each county maintains their own library system under a library board of trustees. Trustees are responsible for setting all library policy and hiring a qualified library director to manage the day-to-day operation of the library system. It is a requirement in this State that each library system hire a professional library director with a minimum of a Master’s in Library and Information Science. Having this State requirement ensures that each library system in South Carolina is held to the highest professional standards for maintaining public trust.
Privacy, along with the freedom to read and access to accurate information, are the cornerstones of what public libraries offer their communities. The beauty of a public library is that every individual has
access to books, but whether an individual chooses to engage in certain reading material is totally up to them. This is freedom in a nutshell and the bedrock of democracy.
Imagine walking into a building where you are surrounded by hundreds of books, both Fiction and Non-Fiction, and never being judged by what you decide to read. Your checkout history is kept private, and your personal information is kept private. Imagine receiving one-on-one help from a librarian who directs you to accurate information, not propaganda you may find online. Imagine being intimidated by computers and other technology and receiving one-on-one training from a librarian who cares. Imagine a place where Internet access is free. Imagine a place where you are never charged for attending a live program or training class. A public library is a place where you will never receive a bill in the mail for services rendered.
A library card opens up a wealth of personal growth and learning opportunities. Are you aware that you can pick any topic of interest and receive the equivalent of a college education simply by using your library card? Many people have used their library card to learn how to run a business, build a house, plant gardens, pass their GED, or
prepare themselves for medical school.
This is just a small glimpse into the beauty of how public libraries better their communities.
Ensuring up-to-date books and technology takes resources, and your library system is funded through two primary ways. At the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), the library receives an
appropriation from Colleton County Government that ensures the smooth operation of the library system. The South Carolina State Legislature in Columbia then provides each County with a specific amount of State funding for its public library. The funding level is based on each County’s population. In Colleton County, your library currently receives $150,000 annually in State funding. In addition to
these two main income streams, your library seeks additional federal and state grants and has its own Friends of the Library (Non-Profit) organization that assists with fundraising efforts and advocacy
throughout the year. The Friends of the Library is a membership organization that allows individuals to join for as little as $15.00, with every dollar donated going to support the library’s various programs for the community. The 2024 population of Colleton County is
estimated at 39,259. Last fiscal year, 65,529 visits were made to your libraries. A total of 66,087 books, which include other resources, were borrowed from the collections. A total of 9,325 Internet sessions were performed on library computers. A total of 50,350 Wi-Fi sessions through the library network were made on personal devices. A total of
450 library-sponsored programs were offered to the community at your libraries, with 162 library sponsored programs offered at various locations in the County. The total number of individuals who attended a library-sponsored program last fiscal year was 10,389.
These numbers prove that your library system is very important to many of the citizens in this County. Ensuring privacy, public trust, and open access to accurate information are the driving forces
behind why public libraries still exist.
The Colleton County Memorial Library System is a tremendous force for good in our County and a worthwhile investment of resources. I implore you to stop by and get a library card. Our staff and I are
here to serve you.
