Beaufort District Collection Connections Blog

January, 2010

Please Give Us Your Opinion
Grace Cordial

In an effort to offer the very best service possible, the Beaufort County Library is in the process of developing a long range plan designed to ensure that we deliver high-quality 21st century library service. As part of this process, we are soliciting opinions and ideas from community residents.

Read what our Assistant Director, Jan O'Rourke, wrote for the local newspapers about the strategic planning process.

Bluffton Area Holdings in the BDC
Grace Cordial

The BDC gathers appropriate materials about all areas of Beaufort County -- from just about anywhere we can get them, from all periods of written history. We have a county wide policy to collect research materials of permanent value that help us understand the history, culture, and environment of the area. And yes, that means the BDC collects materials about Bluffton and other localities south of the Broad River. In fact, the Bluffton, South Carolina brochure online lists the key sources for studying the history of the locality.

PLAD is January 27th
Grace Cordial

Q: What is PLAD?
A: PLAD stands for "Public Library Appreciation Day" According to Sandra Saad, Office of Development and Marketing, "That's the day library volunteers, board members and program advocates spend time visiting with their legislators at the state capital to share stories about the impact that public libraries are making in communities across our state." This year, PLAD is observed on January 27th.

Q: Why should you care?
A: Public libraries contribute to the economic health and quality of life of their communities.

Artifact ID Event on Hilton Head -- Jan. 29th
Grace Cordial

The Archaeological Society of South Carolina, Hilton Head Chapter is hosting "the first ever artifact identification event on Hilton Head" on Jan. 29th at Discovery House. "What the heck is this?" is loosely based on the Antiques Roadshow concept. Two of South Carolina's most prominent archaeologists, Jon Leader and Eric Poplin, will be on hand to identify your personal mystery artifacts.

For more information about the program, please contact George Stubbs at 843-363-5058.

Anniversary of Devastating Fire of 1907
Grace Cordial

January 19, 1907 was a very important date for Beaufort. Read transcriptions of contemporary newspaper articles online about the consuming fire that burned down a good portion of the town. The fire was caused by three little boys who were sneakingly smoking cigarettes behind the Scheper's Barn on Bay Street. Come visit the Beaufort District Collection to learn more through our vertical file "Fires -- Fire of 1907."

Martin Luther King, Jr. in Beaufort
Grace Cordial

To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18th, we suggest one item of particular local historical interest. Many folks are not aware that King used to visit Penn Center for respite from his public political activities campaigning for Civil Rights during the 1960s. For information about his visits to our area, please check out I will not be silent and I will be heard: Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Penn Center, 1964-1967 by J. Tracy Power available at all our library branches under call number 323.4 POW.

Spieler, "The History of Bay Street"
Grace Cordial

Local history enthusiast and writer, Gerhard Spieler, will kick off our 2010 BDC program schedule relating to the history, culture, and environment of Beaufort District on Wednesday, January 27th. Gathering documents and tales about Beaufort for more than 40 years, Spieler will share what he's learned about the "History of Bay Street, 1711 - 2010" during his many years of delving into the people and places of our county.

52 Ways to Use Your Library Card
Grace Cordial

The American Library Association (ALA) puts out a list of "52 Ways to Use Your Library Card" to encourage that everyone has -- and uses -- what I believe is the best value for your tax dollars: A public library card. This year's list begins with one that gets repeated each year because it is so crucial to the other 51 ways.

Beaufort Branch Wins New Harmonies Grant!
Grace Cordial

Beaufort County Library, Beaufort Branch was one of 12 public libraries in South Carolina to win a New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music grant.

The Emancipation Proclamation
Grace Cordial

January 1, 1863 was the Day of Jubilee, the date upon which "all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."

December, 2009

Update: BDC Compact Shelving
Grace Cordial

As you may recall, the Public Library Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent for the BDC Compact Shelving Campaign. Sandra Saad, of the Office of Development and Martketing, sent out a notice on Dec. 22nd, that the "total raised to date for the BDC Shelving Campaign is $36,245." Thanks to all who have contributed thus far to the fund.

Dickens Edits Dickens
Grace Cordial

You have a rare opportunity to become a Dickens scholar and study one of his manuscripts online. The Morgan Library and Museum has posted a digital version of the original manuscript of A Christmas Carol -- with Dickens's own edits -- for you to review and about which you can submit comments.

BDC Schedule Change, Dec. 22nd & 23rd
Grace Cordial

Now that the holiday season is here, we need to make a slight adjustment in the BDC schedule for Tues., Dec. 22nd and Wed., Dec. 23rd. Unfortunately, we don't have any docents who can be here during lunchtime on Tuesday or Wednesday to monitor the Research Room. By policy, researchers cannot use the resources in the Research Room unless a BDC staff member or docent is available to sit with the researcher. Therefore, if you want to use our Research Room on Tues., the 22nd or on Wed., the 23rd, please make arrangements to visit 10am to 12 pm or 1 pm - 5 pm.

Guide to "Green" Archival Collections in SC
Grace Cordial

The Archives and Special Collections Round Table of the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) has posted a "Guide to 'Green' Collections in the Palmetto State." The term “green” is defined in a broad context and includes topics ranging from public health to conservation to nuclear waste to gardening.

Article and Images about Phosphate Mining in Beaufort County
Grace Cordial

The South Carolina Historical Magazine vol. 109, #4 dated October 2008 (but running about a year behind in publication) carries an interesting article by part-time Beaufort resident, Marty Davis. Come to the BDC to read "Coosaw Rock Alchemy: A Short History of River-Phosphate Mining in Beaufort County," by John Martin Davis, Jr., pp. 269 - 294.

To whet your appetite to learn more, Davis states that:

Reprise: Tricentennial Lecture Series at USC-B, North Coming Soon
Grace Cordial

Last February, the Tricentennial Lecture Series was a SRO, rousing success. (I should know -- I went with a pre-paid series ticket and my son got turned away at the door because the session was full.) So, if you missed the series last year, you have another chance!

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