Anderson County Library System and The Cleo Bailey Experiment Collaborate to Unveil “Little Free Library”
No library card? Now’s the time!
September marks the return of some of everyone’s favorite things: pumpkin spice lattes, football season, and of course, Library Card Sign-Up Month. Your library card opens a world of reading, lifelong learning, entertainment, and connection for the low cost of absolutely free. This September, when you sign up for your first library card with the Anderson County Library System, you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of three $50 Visa gift cards, plus other fun prizes.
Library cards are free to everyone who lives, works, owns property, or goes to school in Anderson County. To apply, bring a picture ID to any of Anderson County’s nine library locations or any bookmobile stop. If your ID does not have your current address on it, please plan to bring proof of address, like mail or a utility statement.
With an Anderson County Library card, you can save money when you borrow instead of buy. Books, audiobooks, movies, magazines, and music are all available both at the library and digitally with the Libby and Hoopla Digital. You can also learn something new 24/7, with access at home or on the go with online classes, investment research tools, genealogy resources, and business development databases. Finally, entertain your kids – or yourself – with weekly storytimes, afterschool programs, monthly crafting classes, and author and special events. You can even check out passes to SC State Parks and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, as well as fishing equipment, wi-fi hotspots, and seeds from the Seed Library.
Find unique collections and opportunities only at the Anderson Main Library. Browse the Local Author Collection for new and classic books from authors in Anderson and the surrounding area. Go back in time and explore historical newspapers, land deeds, records and more dating back as early as the 1790s with the Local History and Genealogy Collection. Teens can explore a space just for them: the Gambrell Teen Room. The newest addition is the Electric City Creative, a makerspace for creators, makers, and craft enthusiasts. Create projects using a suite of Cricut tools, sewing machines, looms, the Adobe Creative Cloud, and much more.
There’s always something new to explore and read when you get your free Anderson County Library card. Visit the Anderson County Library online at www.AndersonLibrary.org, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for questions or more information.
Have You Met Libby?
What is Libby?
Libby is a free app you can use to checkout eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from the library.
Who’s Libby for?
Anyone who has or can get an Anderson County Library card, meaning you live, work, go to school, or own property in Anderson County. If you have a reciprocal library card, you can check with your home library about Libby, or pay the annual $25 nonresident fee.
How does Libby work?
Download Libby from the Apple or Google Play app stores to your phone or tablet, or go to libbyapp.com on your computer. Then, enter your library card number and start browsing! Browse or search by genre, popular, newly added, or available now; check items out; place holds; or make a wish list for later.
What about my Kindle?
The Libby app is not available on Kindles. However, you can select the “Send to Kindle” option when checking out most eBooks from your computer or other device.
How is Libby different than Overdrive?
Libby is a newer app by the same company, called Overdrive. They have stopped supporting the original Overdrive app, and it is no longer available from app stores. You can continue using Overdrive, but over time it may lose functionality and compatibility.
What’s available on Libby?
Lots! Thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, including collections for kids and for teens. Popular and unique magazines, including international ones. Extras including Craftsy classes, movies on Indieflix, The Great Courses, and online classes. Don’t see a book you want? Request it by emailing overdrive@andersonlibrary.org
New Year’s Resolutions with Help from the Library
Looking to start 2021 right? See if the Anderson County Library System can help!
Read More
With eBooks and digital audiobooks from the Library, reading is easier than ever. Download the Libby app and check out up to 8 eBooks or audiobooks at a time. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Request an item by emailing overdrive@andersonlibrary.org. Find more eBooks as well as music and TV on Hoopla Digital and browse the latest issues of popular magazines on Flipster.
Bonus: Join the Facebook group Upstate Reads to share what you’re reading and get recommendations and challenges from our librarians!
Spend Time with Family
With storytime, early literacy skills, take-home activities, and trivia, the Library has great free events to help your family spend quality time together.
Bonus: Research your family’s history with AncestryLibrary and the Library’s genealogy resources. At-home access to AncestryLibrary has been extended through March 31!
Learn and Improve Skills
Take online classes on hundreds of subjects at your own pace with Universal Class, or get practice tests for high school, college, and careers with LearningExpress Library. Need some extra help? Access Tutor.com with your library card for one-on-one assistance.
Bonus: Watch award-winning on-demand courses and lectures with The Great Courses!
Be Creative
Sew, knit, bake, paint, and decorate with hundreds of classes and projects from Creativebug, ranging from beginner to advanced.
Bonus: Look for monthly Take ‘n Make craft kits and Creative Crafters videos from the Library!
Storywalk: The Magic Snowflake
Explore downtown magic with the storefront storywalk in Anderson! Visit downtown Anderson this December for a special, self-paced walking tour of the book The Magic Snowflake by local artist and author Scott Foster. The illustrations and text of each page in the book will be featured in store windows along Main Street. Start with page 1 at Belle Beauty, then follow the map on the sidewalk and read the magical story, or have the book come to life in a dramatic reading podcast produced by Market Theatre!
Storywalks are a great way for families to share the magic of reading, and the downtown storefront storywalk is the perfect opportunity to bring a love of reading and practice literacy skills while supporting downtown Anderson. After you finish the story, visit Carolina Wren Park for Holiday Ice, take pictures by the Christmas tree, or visit one of the local businesses that have copies of The Magic Snowflake available for purchase.
Visit the Anderson Main Library for a special scavenger hunt based on the book, then check out The Magic Snowflake or explore additional books perfect for the holidays. Complete the scavenger hunt and be entered in a drawing for a copy of the book and other fun prizes. Children can also pick up a Take ‘n Make snowflake ornament kit, and adults can pick up a Take ‘n Make craft kit to make a winter evening scene.
This unique event is presented by the City of Anderson in partnership with the Anderson County Library System, with a dramatic podcast by Market Theatre.