NEW IVA BRANCH
Our new Iva library opened for patrons on May 30th, 2025 with a grand opening ceremony! Over 100 patrons braved the rain and showed up to see our beautiful new space.
Since opening, the Iva Library has seen a 133% increase in visits, a 105% increase in item checkouts, and even added a weekly family storytime for kids ages 0-5!
STAFF DAY
Our 2025 Staff Day was a huge success, with all of our employees coming together to learn about the latest library updates, get trained on new payment software, and hear from library leaders.
ART SLAM
In partnership with the Anderson Arts Center, the Anderson Main Library hosted a gallery by 2025 Art Slam winner, Matt Andrews from May 2-May 16.
Matt’s gallery was titled “In the Stacks: SCapes,” which featured paintings of beautiful South Carolina landscapes and locales.
VENDING MACHINE
In partnership with Anderson County, South Carolina State Library, The Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Food Lion, the library opened our brand-new Library Book Vending Machine on Friday, June 20. Attendees were dazzled by this innovative machine and how easy it was to use. We hope this new vending machine will expand library access in the county and bring library joy to patrons for years to come!
VEX IQ TEAM
Our VEX-IQ Robotics team made it to the World Championships in Texas! While they did not place, they met new friends and learned important skills to help them in next year’s competiton.
THE HOPE TREE
On May 16, the Anderson County Library joined Anderson County, Trees Upstate, and a group of passionate citizens to launch ‘The Hope Tree,’ a community project with a purpose to support, connect, and inspire. From now through September, patrons can visit the Anderson Main Library and write their ‘hope’ on a piece of fabric, then tie it to our Hope Tree. For every 20 ties added, a new tree will be planted on county property. We can’t wait to see how this project grows over the next few months!
EXPANDED STORYTIMES
Storytime is better than ever! With the help of our new outreach librarian, we were able to expand storytimes to our smaller branches, just in time for summer reading. Visit our website or grab an Event Guide to find a storytime near you!
TINY ART
Our Tiny Art program is going strong! Hundreds of pieces of Tiny Art are currently on display for all to see. Check out the Tiny Art show before it closes on July 20!
COMING SOON...
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
We continue to offer a wide array of classes, clubs and programming to address the wants and needs of every patron segment.
413 PROGRAMS
In MAY/JUNE we offered 413 programs across the library system.
Cooking Tips & Tricks for Teens
Artist Highlight: Jim Henson
Mom & Me Tea Party
Iva Spring Express
BARK! Read to Therapy Dogs
STEAM Lab: Beaver Engineering
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
3rd Annual Volunteer Fair
SUMMER READING
We kicked off our ‘Color Our World’ Summer Reading program for kids!
POPULAR ITEMS FOR MAY/JUNE
For Youth (Ages 0-12)
Top 5 Books (Physical) Top 5 Books (Digital)
Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
2. Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Williams
3. Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey
4. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
5. The Baby-sitters Club: Jessi’s Secret Language by Chan Chau & Ann Martin
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
3. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
For Teens (Ages 13-17)
Top 5 Books (Physical)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
4. Fearless by Lauren Roberts
Top 5 Books (Digital)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
5. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
For Adults (Ages 18+) LEAP Items
Top 5 Books (Physical)
5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis A Mind of Her Own by Danielle Steel
2. Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
3. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
4. Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts
Top 5 Books (Digital)
2. The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
3. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
4. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
5. Caught Up by Navessa Allen
5. Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer The Tenant by Freida McFadden
State Park Passes PASS
2. Children’s Museum of the Upstate Pass
3. Mobile Wi-fi Hotspot
4. Magna-tiles
5. Roper Mountain Science Center Pass
SOCIAL MEDIA
EVENT GUIDE
Patrons are picking up our Event Guide!
Our April - June issue saw a record number of Event Guides taken by patrons, an estimated 3,000 printed copies.
The digital version was read by 882 patrons.
Our first-ever Summer Reading Guide is a hit!
Families are enjoying our standalone Summer Reading Guide with over 1,000 printed copies distributed.
The digital version has been read by 150 patrons so far.
