What can you do for free at the Library?
By Jimmie Epling
Director
Darlington County Library System
When you think of what you can borrow, get, do, or use for free at the Darlington County Library System, what comes to mind? Books, DVDs, and computers? Right. Good start. What else? Magazines, e-books, children’s programs, and maybe a few more things come to mind. What if I told you the Library offers 100 things you can borrow, get, do, or use for free in the Library or through our website www.darlington-lib.org? Don’t believe me?
Last week we listed 1 – 30; here is the rest of the list, 31 – 100!
31. Write a paper, submit an assignment, or take a test for a class
32. Publicize your nonprofit organization’s programs and activities on the bulletin board
33. Donate your books, magazines, DVDs to the Library
34. Curl up in a comfy chair to read a book or use the Library’s Wi-Fi
35. Cool off in air-conditioned comfort with a favorite author on a hot summer day
36. Warm up with a good read during the winter months
37. Children can take Accelerated Reader tests during their summer vacation
38. Spanish language books for children
39. Read decades old back issues of local newspapers on microfilm
40. Find mystery, science fiction, romance, horror, Christian, and western stories to enjoy
41. Take in a free movie with your family
42. Join in teen programs
43. Join a book discussion group
44. Check your investments
45. Schedule a Library tour tailored to your group or class
46. Check out your favorite manga or graphic novels and anime films
47. Join other knitters and crocheters for projects
48. Study in a (relatively) quiet place
49. Reserve a meeting room for your group’s next meeting
50. Tutor a child in one of our small meeting rooms
51. Get recommendations on what to read from staff
52. Use Library resources to start a small business
53. Surf the web through our public computers
54. Open an e-mail account
55. Be notified by email when items you’ve requested are available for pickup
56. Check out language CDs and phrasebooks for that trip abroad
57. Children can read to therapy dogs at the Darlington Branch through the Paws to Read program
58. Unique Darlington County Library System bumper sticker
59. Request a speaker for your next club meeting to talk about the Library
60. Computers just for children
61. Free classes and lectures
62. Help in downloading e-books, e-audio books, and e-magazines to your mobile device
63. Charge your mobile device
64. Test proctoring
65. Access to the Library’s 24/7 Digital Branch (www.darlington-lib.org)
66. Search the online catalog for hundreds of thousands of items you can borrow
67. Download thousands of e-books, e-audio book, and e-magazines from anywhere
68. Access a special collection of children’s e-books
69. Learn a new language using Mango languages online
70. A one-stop webpage for Darlington County statistics
71. Find guides to help you trace your family tree
72. Use reliable, kid-friendly resources to do homework through DISCUS
73. Take a GED, ASVAB, SAT, civil service, certification, and other practice tests through Learning Express
74. Take any of over 500 continuing education and recreational classes online through Universal Class
75. Keep an item you have borrowed longer by renewing it online, by phone, or in person
76. One stop access to the Federal and state tax return forms you need
77. Read minutes from past County Council meetings
78. One stop online access to Darlington County maps
79. Keep up on the latest Library news though our Facebook pages
80. Find your school’s summer reading list
81. Find Accelerated Reader books for your child
82. Home school students can access hundreds of online resources and databases through DISCUS
83. Update your Facebook page
84. Signup for the Children’s Summer Reading program
85. Reserve items you want to borrow
86. Use Library resources to start a small business
87. Take free GED/Work Keys classes at Society Hill Library
88. Consult consumer guides to help decide which insurance, computer, or car to buy
89. Get repair manuals for thousands of vehicles through Auto Repair Reference Center
90. Learn English as a Second Language (ESL) though Mango Languages
91. A list of New York Times Best Sellers owned by the Library in each location and on Facebook
92. Word of the Day on the Hartsville Branch Facebook page and
93. Word of the Week on the Darlington County Library System Facebook page
94. List of South Carolina Book Award nominees available at the Library
95. Welcome Baby Bags for parents of newborns at Carolina Pines Hospital in partnership with First Steps
96. Encourage small motor movements with puzzles for children
97. Use beginner phonic sets to encourage reading in your child
98. Figure out a great science experiment with our books and online resources
99. Borrow items that will help in your classroom.
100. Schedule a story time for your class or organization.
Darlington Branch:
204 North Main Street
Darlington. 843- 398-4940
Hartsville Branch:
147 West College Ave.
Hartsville 843-332-5115
Lamar Branch:
103 East Main St.
Lamar 843-326-5524
Society Hill Branch:
114 Carrigan St.
Society Hill 843-378-0026
