2026
SEP/OCT
ACTIVITY REPORT
This Activity Report is not all-inclusive, but highlights Anderson County Library System activities for the last 2 months - aligning them to our 2026 - 2029 strategic goals - to show the forward progress of our shared strategic plan.
Expanded Hours at Locations Expanded Marketing
More Physical and Digital Items
Better Internal Communication
More LEAP Station Items Remote Card Renewal
EXPANDING ACCESS
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION
A PLACE TO BELONG
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Improved Onboarding & Training
Programs at Accessible Times
Enhance the Main Library Environment Innovative Adult & Senior Programming
Expanded Bookmobile & Outreach
Expanded Youth & Teen Programming
Community Partnership Programs
Standardized Look & Customer Service
Sponsorship Opportunities
Building Improvements
OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS 2026 – 2029
HUNTING/FISHING LICENSES
+ We’ve partnered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to make hunting and fishing licenses available for purchase at the Anderson County Main Library. This provides another practical, convenient community service for our patrons to take advantage of at the library. Hunting and fishing licenses are available for purchase during regular Main Library hours. Specific license types, fees and requirements may vary. For more information about South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses, seasons, regulations and outdoor recreation, visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/
MEALS ON WHEELS 2026 marks our third year partnering with Meals on Wheels to serve older adults and neighbors with disabilities throughout Anderson County. We look forward to seeing the familiar faces along our monthly route, delivering not just nutritious meals, but also sharing information about library services, and bringing a friendly smile to someone’s day.
CONVERSATIONS ON A BENCH “Conversations on a Bench” is an annual awareness initiative by Miracle Hill Ministries to help break the stigma surrounding homelessness, addiction, and mental health. For 24 continuous hours, Miracle Hill CEO, Ryan Duerk, sits on a public bench, livestreaming honest, face-to-face conversations with community leaders, pastors, local residents, and people who have experienced homelessness firsthand. We hosted this year’s conversations in front of the Main Library. Library Director, Annie, joined the conversation to discuss homelessness in Anderson County and the challenges public libraries face as they navigate this growing community and its needs. These conversations help build understanding, bring important issues into the open, and remind us of the role we all play in supporting our neighbors.
COMMUNITY ANCHOR We partner with local organizations to bring health and wellness resources, screenings, and employment support directly into our communities. Through events at library locations across Anderson County, partners like Blood Connection’s Big Red Bus, Foothills Community Healthcare’s Mobile Medical Unit, the South Carolina Department on Aging, AOP Mental Health’s Highway to Hope bus, and SC Works help residents connect with services and information close to home.
AIT WORK-BASED LEARNING We partner with the Anderson Institute of Technology to give students in the Digital Art & Design and Computer Science programs hands-on, real-world experience through internships. We’re currently hosting students in both our Marketing & Communications and Information Technology departments. We enjoy helping students explore their chosen career paths, build practical skills, and gain valuable experience they can carry with them into the future.
Marketing and Communications Intern
Information Technology Intern
MARKET THEATRE AWARD The Anderson County Library System was honored with the 2026 Arts Advocate Award from the Market Theatre’s Arts for All Awards. The award recognizes a volunteer, leader, official, or community hub that champions the local arts. Library Director Annie Sutton proudly accepted the award on behalf of the library system at the Market Theatre’s Arts for All Gala. We’re grateful for our partnership with Market Theatre and the opportunities to bring stories to life through performances that merge art and literacy. Together, we’re helping make the arts more accessible and creating new ways for our community to experience the magic of storytelling.
FACILITIES TRAINING Director Annie, held training sessions to refresh or instruct managers at the Main Library, on key building features, functions, and locations of library systems such as, alarms, water shutoff, HVAC, electrical panels, backup power, and procedures for opening and closing the building.
INCREASED SECURITY We removed trees and overgrown shrubs at the Main Library to improve visibility and create a more welcoming appearance. The overgrown landscaping was replaced with smaller, neatly maintained plantings.
DREAM TEAM COALITION The Westside Library Branch partners with community organizations like Hope Mission, The Lot Project, Tri-County Technical College, Anderson Police Department, local church groups - and many more - to share information on resources available in the community. The Dream Team Coalition meets at the Westside Branch Manager, Lin McDowell
Community Center the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Branch Manager, Lin McDowell, attends on behalf of The Anderson County Library System, where she discusses access to library information, resources, and programs for all residents. She networks with local businesses and agencies which strengthens and expands the library's impact.
POLLING PLACE Our libraries have been polling places for several years. During the Midterm Elections our Pendleton and Powdersville Branches have been early voting locations. We’ve enjoyed seeing early voters renew library cards, visitors surprised by our LEAP Station, and walk out of the library with an Event Guide and a book or 2. Powdersville had 8,512 early voters. Pendleton had 5,376 early voters. 13,888 of 29,739 total early votes cast (47%) in the county were at ACLS locations.
BOOKS & COMMUNITY
This year, we celebrated the American Revolution with distinct book selections for adults, teens, and children: Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence by Carol Berkin for adults, Alex & Eliza by Melissa De la Cruz for teens, and I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis for children. We distributed 1,500 books to the Anderson County community. We offered 19 programs with 229 participants. Activities included book talks, a panel discussion, an art show, book bedazzling, messages in a bottle, a DAR presentation, a Hamilton viewing, genealogy research using Revolutionary War records, and a visit from America’s original first lady, Martha Washington. A community art project engaged participants of all ages at every branch. We distributed more than 500 flag postcards for patrons to decorate and display at the branch of their choice.
LIBRARY CARD SIGNUP MONTH 4.73% New Library Cards - 993 5.30% Library Card Renewals - 819
PRINTER UPGRADES
Our contract ended on our current printers, so we took the opportunity to upgrade dated printers and copiers at all branches to newer machines - to keep up-to-date with technology services - enhancing the patron service experience.
LIBBY PROMOTION We have developed a promotional kit that will rotate among our branches to promote the Libby service, and assist patrons with hands-on help to download the app and start borrowing ebooks and audiobooks. Rotation has already begun with the Main Library.
Pop-up Banner
Libby Promotion Kit Tablecloth Tabletop Banner
Sticker
Button Libby App and Libby Extras Flyers
ONLINE LIBRARY CARDS We are beginning the backend implementation of an online library card issuing tool, which will allow Anderson County residents to get or renew library cards online, anytime. We will be using Patron Verify & Renew, a tool provided by our trusted yearslong email vendor - SpringShare. We expect this service to be available in early 2027.
Patron Verify & Renew streamlines both online library card registration and borrower renewal through a secure, automated verification solution. Adult residents of Anderson County can apply for new library cards, or renew via a simple online form. Behind the scenes, intelligent address validation and service area/district verification ensure we maintain control over the process and the data.
This online tool is intended for Anderson County adult residents. Patrons will experience a seamless transaction, with a simple form embedded on our website. Required fields are verified before submission to ensure complete and accurate applications. Patrons receive an immediate email update with confirmation and access to their library card. Applicants are informed right away whether they’re approved or additional action may be needed. We will require non-resident and juvenile/teen cards to be applied for or renewed in-person.
Online registration will increase access, not risk. Before creating a new account, the system checks the ILS for existing or expired records to prevent duplication. Addresses are validated against our official service area boundaries (GIS Map provided by Anderson County) to confirm district eligibility. Applicants outside our defined service area will be automatically restricted. Instead of relying on USPS address databases – which confirm that an address exists but not that a person lives there – Patron Verify & Renew uses Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification technology to confirm that an individual is associated with the submitted address. KYC is the same identity verification technology trusted by banks.
STORYWALK In 2023, we began a partnership with Anderson County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism division to install a StoryWalk at the KidVenture 2.0 playground, as well as informational signs at the Chris Taylor Memorial Park. We periodically refresh the stories and informational signs for visitors to the park to enjoy. In October, we updated the StoryWalk to a new bilingual story ‘Why Would Elephants Rather Play Tag’. We’re grateful to the Friends of the Anderson County Library for funding the story.
YOUTH SERVICES OUTREACH
Youth Services has added a new Outreach Specialist to our staff! Laura McKinney brings her experience working with educators and schools in the public library setting to help us build collaborative relationships and outreach opportunities with public and private schools in Anderson County. Laura's calendar is quickly filling with school visits and outreach events, many in conjunction with the Bookmobile, to expand our reach and engage families with the library's services and collections. The addition of Laura McKinney as the Outreach Specialist supports our strategic goals within Outreach and Community.
HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES We continue to provide opportunities for Homeschool Co-Ops and families to participate in enrichment programming. Each month at the Main Library, we have a Homeschool Fridays program, at Pendleton Branch we have a monthly Homeschool Enrichment program, at Powdersville Branch we have a monthly Homeschool Happenings program, and at our Belton Branch, there is a Wise Guys STEM and STEAM program tailored to our homeschool families. We play an important role in not only providing programming for these patrons, but also have many materials to support at-home education. Our LEAP Station offers things like STEM kits, puzzles, Smart Globes, and Magnatiles for handson learning. Families can checkout passes to museums and state parks for a day of exploration. Our resources online include 24/7, 1-on-1, live tutoring help, ebooks, audiobooks, games, and more to support homeschooling in Anderson County.
1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy program that encourages parents and caregivers to build a love of reading with their children from birth until they enter kindergarten. The goal is simple: read 1,000 books together before starting school. Reading together helps children develop important early literacy skills, including vocabulary, listening, language development, imagination, and an understanding of how books and stories work. We’ve given the program a fresh new look and created an adventure-filled journey for families, with our mascot, Larry the Library Llama, leading the way to 1,000 books. Along the journey, children explore the forest, ocean, jungle, safari, arctic, and even outer space as they work toward their reading goal. We’ve also created a dedicated program landing page where families can learn more and sign up online, making it easier than ever to get started on their reading adventure!
Sponsored in part by:
LIVINGWORKS SAFETALK In October, the Teen Department hosted LivingWorks SafeTALK: a workshop that empowers attendees to recognize when someone may be considering suicide, and to connect them with the care and resources they need to support their mental health. We hosted this program in partnership with the Anderson District 5 counsellor, and we were one of the first places nationally to host the program entirely in Spanish. In total, 15 adults attend from organizations such as AnMed, Prisma Health, Anderson District 5, Foothills Community Health Care, and more. These professionals will be able to take what they learned from this presentation at the library and apply it to their own work, which will reach more teens in the long run. We offered the Teen Room as a community hub for professionals to gather and learn about mental health, and share their experiences with those who need support. By offering the program in Spanish, we were able to reach a wider community of lifelong learners. We plan to offer this program again, in both English and Spanish, in 2027.
ADULT AND SENIOR ACTIVITIES We continue to expand our program offerings with more unique activities for adults and seniors. Mah Jongg has grown in popularity, with lessons and opportunities to play at the Main, Belton, and Powdersville branches. We plan to expand these offerings next quarter.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS We also offered programs to support the health and safety of Anderson County residents, including additional exercise classes, a self-defense class, educational programs on dementia and diabetes, and gardening and cooking classes. These programs were made possible through continued community partnerships with the SC Department on Aging, SC State Retirees Association, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and local law enforcement.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS We also offered programs to support the health and safety of Anderson County residents, including additional exercise classes, a self-defense class, educational programs on dementia and diabetes, and gardening and cooking classes. These programs were made possible through continued community partnerships with the SC Department on Aging, SC State Retirees Association, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and local law enforcement.
OUTREACH & MOBILE SERVICES Our outreach efforts continued to expand throughout September and October, with library staff from across the system connecting with residents and bringing library services and resources directly into the community. In September, outreach efforts focused on strengthening partnerships with local schools, colleges, businesses, and community organizations. We connected with students and families through Tri-County Technical College’s Get Connected events at both the Anderson and Pendleton campuses, the AU Expo, visits to fifth-grade classrooms at La France Elementary, and the Read & Rise Festival in Pendleton, where the Bookmobile provided an opportunity for attendees to explore library services firsthand. We also participated in the Crescent High School 4th Annual Car Show, Homesteading Day in Pelzer, a Senior Health Fair in Powdersville, and the Genealogy Jamboree, a family history and roots workshop co-hosted with the Anderson County Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These events provided opportunities to connect with people of all ages and interests while introducing more community members to the resources and services available through the library.
OUTREACH & MOBILE SERVICES October brought an especially busy month of community engagement, with the Bookmobile and library staff participating in festivals, school visits, workplace outreach, and community celebrations across the county. Building on existing partnerships, we continued workplace outreach visits to local manufacturing companies, including Timken in Honea Path and Sargent Metal in Anderson. We hope to continue building on these relationships while expanding outreach to additional local manufacturers and area businesses in the coming year. At the Anderson Senior Expo, the Library connected with more than 500 community members, with the Bookmobile featured at the event and library staff serving as featured guests, presenting on library services and resources. Additional school outreach included visits to Belton Middle School’s eighth-grade classes, Starr-Iva Middle School, and Starr Elementary School’s Culture Club, where we connected with ESL families. We also participated in Family Literacy Night at Townville Elementary. We also brought the Bookmobile out to join the celebration at the Anderson Bicentennial Parade, sharing a little library spirit along the route downtown Anderson! Fall festivals and seasonal celebrations provided even more opportunities to meet residents and share what the library has to offer. Throughout October, we also participated in numerous Halloween and fall community events, including the Pendleton Fall Festival, Iva Depot Days, Piedmont Craft and Vendor Fair, Powdersville Trunk or Treat at Dolly Cooper Park, Pendleton Area Business Association Trick or Treat Downtown, Boo in the Park in Williamston, Treats on the Square in Belton, Treats on Main in Honea Path, Halloween on Main in Iva, and trunk-or-treat events at Iva, Flat Rock, and Nevitt Forest Elementary Schools.
OUTREACH & MOBILE SERVICES The Bookmobile continues to see growing engagement through its regularly scheduled community stops. During September and October, we welcomed 713 visitors during our weekly stops, compared to 277 visitors in July and August. This significant increase reflects growing awareness of the Bookmobile and continued growth in its community reach. With schools back in session, we expanded our visits to charter schools, microschools, and homeschool groups, providing more opportunities to connect with students and families. We also added stops at additional senior living facilities, bringing library materials and services directly to more older adults throughout Anderson County.
The vending machine at Food Lion on Hwy 24 has seen increased usage, with a 109% increase compared to this time last year. Usage has steadily grown over the last few months as we continue working to stock popular titles and newer releases. We have also expanded the collection to include more early reader books and added cookbooks, offering a greater variety of materials to meet the interests of our community.
To view and share a digital copy of this report, please scan the QR code below.
109%