PICKENS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
PLAY | CONNECT | LEARN | SHARE
message from the director
Each year, I find myself more grateful for the opportunity to serve the Pickens County community through its public library system. As someone who grew up using these libraries, it’s a joy and an honor to now help lead their continued growth and evolution. I vividly remember checking out as many books as I could carry, waiting patiently as the librarian rolled out the filmstrip projector so we could watch Jason and the Argonauts battle Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion skeleton army, and calling up Dial-AStory on rainy afternoons—it’s still around today, and it’s still the same phone number! Seeing children, teens, and adults discover a love for the library, and benefiting from the many resources we offer, is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
I’m especially proud of our incredible staff. They are smart, fun, professional, resilient, and endlessly creative. Their willingness to try new things, take chances, and design programs and services that meet real community needs, even while navigating global or local challenges, is inspiring. Whether that’s launching an amazing new program, building a popular book club, or leading the creation of innovative projects like The Digital Archives Lab or the Satellite Branch pick-up lockers in Six Mile, their dedication shines through in everything they do.
Libraries are, at their core, about stories, not just the ones lining the shelves, but the ones we create through our daily interactions with patrons. Whether it’s helping someone prepare for a job interview, discover a new author, connect with others at a program, or simply find a quiet place to read, it matters. They are the stories of our community, and we are honored to be a part of them.
Thank you for your continued support of our libraries. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and excited for what’s still to come.
Stephanie Howard Director, Pickens
County Library System
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lori Osborn, Chair
Dr. Alfred Wheeler, Vice Chair
Nancy Miller, Secretary
Danny Parton
Alesa Pinkerton
Dr. Henry Wilson
Susan Childers, Treasurer
about us
The Pickens County Library System (PCLS) stands as a trusted community cornerstone, serving the more than 132,000 residents of Pickens County, South Carolina. With four branches: Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library (Easley - Headquarters), Central-Clemson Regional Branch (Central), Sarlin Community Library (Liberty), and Village Branch (Pickens), our library system offers free, inclusive access to knowledge, connection, and creativity.
Through PCLS Connect, we take library services beyond our buildings with satellite lockers, drop boxes, and mobile outreach programs reaching rural areas like Dacusville and Six Mile. These expanded access points help ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, can benefit from the resources and support the library provides.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide all county residents with access to information through the development of appropriate collections and services. These collections and services must cover the informational, educational, cultural, and entertainment needs of the community.
More Than a Library
PCLS is more than books and buildings, it’s a dynamic hub for community engagement, lifelong learning, and local pride. Every year, thousands of patrons participate in free programs ranging from arts & crafts workshops to author talks and wellness events. We also foster economic development through our “PCLS Perks” partnership program, supporting small businesses and offering benefits to library cardholders.
Our libraries are designed to be flexible, welcoming spaces for curiosity, inclusion, and connection.
Looking Ahead
As we grow and adapt to meet 21st-century needs, our commitment remains the same: to empower every Pickens County resident with access to the tools and opportunities to PLAY. CONNECT. LEARN. SHARE.
Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library, Easley
Sarlin Library, Liberty
Central-Clemson Library, Central
Village Library, Pickens
This year, the Pickens County Library System experienced significant growth across all major service areas—reflecting stronger community engagement and expanded access to resources.
These increases show that more residents are returning to our branches, attending events, and relying on the library as a community hub.
Growth in Core Services:
Meeting Rooms
Meeting Room Reservations
10,451
Meeting Room Attendance
46,163
Events
“The library is a space for all ages regardless of income level and has benefits for everyone.”
-survey participant, June 2025
1,412 Programs
Event Attendance
44,174
Notable Jumps in Digital & Program Engagement:
Launched last year, our new digital magazine collection has taken off with enthusiastic reader support.
Our biggest gains were in teen engagement—both inside our branches and through community outreach—demonstrating the success of targeted, agespecific programming and the dedication of our staff to meet young people where they are.
“Love the programs, the staff, and the opportunities. The library is about more than just books (though books are wonderful). They’re a lifeline for our communities.”
-survey participant, June 2025
Cardholders 115,086
5 year accomplishments
Looking Back: Five Years of Growth, Innovation, and Community Impact
Over the past five years, the Pickens County Library System has experienced remarkable growth and transformation, fueled by a commitment to meeting the needs of our community. Through partnerships, innovative programs, expanded services, and a dedication to literacy and learning, we have continued to build a vibrant, welcoming space for people of all ages. From supporting public health initiatives to celebrating local authors and artists, and from embracing cutting-edge technology to nurturing lifelong learning, our libraries have become essential hubs of connection and opportunity across the county. Below is a snapshot of some of our proudest accomplishments and collaborations that have shaped the Pickens County Library System into what it is today.
Community Partnerships & Support
• Civic Engagement & Government Services:
2020 Census Partner; Voting Locations for 2020 & 2024 General Elections and Early Voting; SC DMV partnership for Real ID sign-ups at the library; Passport Acceptance Location; Notary Services; 2020 Stronger United Award; Easley Chamber of Commerce 2023 Pillar of the Community Award; Fort Prince George Chapter NSDAR Service to Community Award.
• Health & Wellness Initiatives: COVID Testing & Vaccine Clinics (SCDHEC); Grant-Funded COVID Grief Support Group; We Care Wellness; Behavioral Health “Let’s Talk” Town Hall Meetings; Microchip Your Pet Days with Clemson Paw Partners.
• Community Aid & Outreach:
The Giving Tree Christmas Donation Program (supporting Animal Shelter, Country Santa, etc.); FEMA Disaster Relief at the Library; Season of Giving Holiday Food Drives; Helene Disaster Relief Drive; Fine Free September 2021; Partnership with Dacusville Community Library; United Way Pathways Success Coach at the Library; Imagination Library partnership in Pickens County.
Library Services & Innovations
• Access & Convenience:
Six Mile Satellite Library Lockers (September 2022); Wireless Printing at All Libraries; Acceptance of Credit/Debit Card Payments at all locations; Carry-Out Programs and Curbside Checkout.
• Expanded Collections & Unique Resources:
Adventure Pass program (free access to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Upcountry History Museum, and WNC Nature Center); Library of Things; Lynn R. Baker Seed Library; BeeCause observation bee hives at each library location; Archivist in a Backpack grant-funded program; PCLS Perks program.
• Technology & Infrastructure
Complete Integrated Library System (ILS) Upgrade; Addition of revised PR and Media Position; Full library rebrand (print materials, social media, digital video); New library signage at all library branches; PCLS Digital Archives Lab and Digital Archives Librarian; PCLS Outreach Vehicle and Outreach Librarian; Addition of Gregorie Park at the Hampton Memorial Library.
5 year accomplishments
Engaging Programs & Community Building
• Youth & Family Programs:
Mini Maestros music program; Kids in the Kitchen; Teen Makerspace; Teen Art Club; Family Fishing Clinics; Teen Anime Club; Dial-A-Story technology upgrade (still active with original phone number); McKissick Academy 2022-2023 Education Partner; Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Heroes Award.
• Book & Reading Clubs:
Pints and Pages Book Club; Bookwatchers Book and Movie Kits; The Finer Things Club; Cut to the Chase Axe Throwing Book Club; Pickens, Easley, Central-Clemson Book Clubs; Nightmares & Knick Knacks Book Club.
• Community Events & Outreach:
Tech Talk Outreach; Friday Night Lights High School Football Outreach.
Author Visits & Local Arts
• Visiting Authors:
Jason Reynolds; Erin Entrada Kelly; Harlan Coben; Brad Taylor; Ron Rash; Susan Boyer; Marie Bostwick; Alicia D. Williams; Craig Johnson; Orson Scott Card
• Local Authors Celebrated:
Susan Coryell; Shelly Burchfield; Lt. Rita Shuler; Anne Chesky Smith; Stevie Edwards; Dr. Rhonda Thomas; Leslie Craig; Dr. Susannah Ashton; John Coggeshall; Steve Lorch; Jennifer Heinmiller; Alfred Dockery; Abel Bartley; Vernon Burton.
• Local Artists & Historians Featured:
Nancy Basket; Durant Ashmore; Angela Agard; Gary Pender; Dennis Chastain; Lamar Nelson; Chris Aluka Berry.
“Great vibes... great books...”
-survey participant, June 2025
youth services
The mission of the Youth Services Department is to strengthen early literacy and reading comprehension for all children in Pickens County through educational, entertaining, and engaging programming.
Our regular early literacy programs continue to thrive, with Preschool Storytime, Wiggles & Giggles, and Messy Munchkins drawing strong attendance across the county. These interactive sessions provide young children with the building blocks for lifelong learning through stories, songs, movement, and play. Our Bee Observation Hives remain a patron favorite.
In 2024–2025, we introduced a new music-based program, Mini Maestros, which quickly became a favorite among our youngest patrons and their caregivers. This program incorporates rhythm, instruments, and song to support early language development in a fun and memorable way.
We also offered a wide array of themed specialty events inspired by popular children’s books and characters. Programs like the Barbie Birthday Bash, Goosebumps Night, Jedi Training Academy, Grinchmas Party, and Dog Man Celebration brought stories to life and encouraged children to connect with reading in new and exciting ways.
This year, we also saw a significant increase in teen participation, with engagement up notably over previous years. A major contributor to this growth has been our Library After Dark series, which gives teens a chance to experience the library in a whole new way—after hours. From interactive movie nights and real-life adaptations of games like Among Us, to creative themed events like our Emo Prom, these programs offer teens a safe, welcoming space to socialize, be themselves, and connect with library resources.
“The events are always amazing and it’s basically a free indoor playground. I’m low income and all of the resources help me keep them entertained.”
- survey participant, June 2025
youth services
2024 SUMMER READING
2,748
Total Participants
3,530
Total Completed Reading Logs
768 Adults
1,980 Youth 11,148 Program Attendees
Summer, the most wonderful time of the year… at the library!
Each year, we turn up the energy for our annual Summer Reading Program, and 2024 was no exception. With the theme “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” we packed the season with exciting events, from animal encounters and interactive musical performances to puppet theater, storytimes, crafts, and more!
Featured performers included Hobey Ford, Didgeridoo Down Under, Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, The PG Show, Critter Keeper, Drum 4 Work, and Wildlife Geeks—delighting audiences of all ages.
While the core mission of Summer Reading is to help children maintain and strengthen literacy skills over the break so they return to school ready to succeed, we make it a celebration for all ages. Our programming engages babies, kids, teens, and adults, making it a true community-wide initiative that fosters multi-generational learning and joy.
Summer Reading is more than a program; it’s a shared experience that brings readers of all ages together to celebrate stories and build lifelong habits of literacy and discovery.
“Libraries support lifelong learning, foster community engagement, and offer a welcoming space for reading, research, and personal growth. Their programs, technology access, and knowledgeable staff make them a valuable and enriching resource for individuals and communities alike.” - survey participant, June 2025
adult services
The Adult Services Department continues to grow and evolve to meet the interests and needs of our community, offering programs that educate, entertain, and inspire.
This year, adult participation in our Summer Reading Program reached a new high, with 768 participants—a strong indication that a love for reading thrives at every age. Our ongoing craft programs, yoga classes, and book clubs remain cornerstones of our calendar and continue to draw loyal and enthusiastic audiences.
We also launched a fun and quirky new program: the Finer Things Club, inspired by The Office television show. Designed for adults who enjoy thoughtful discussion, snacks, and a bit of whimsy, the club quickly caught local attention and was even featured on the local news. Participation in our Pints & Pages Book Club at the Silo’s Brewery has also grown significantly. Readers 21+ enjoy lively discussion over craft beverages and good food.
Perhaps our most exciting moment of the year was hosting New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben. This marquee event welcomed an audience of 350 people, giving fans an unforgettable evening of storytelling, insight, and connection with one of the world’s most beloved thriller writers.
“I’m so thankful for my book club. Thank you for making it great!” -Pints & Pages
Book Club member
Notary services
Passport services
Wireless printing
Local history presentations
Book-a-Librarian sessions
Seed library and gardening instruction
Health and Wellness programming
Cooking classes and demonstrations
Art and Crafts Book Clubs
Early Voting House Calls
The Library Outreach department brings the library into the heart of the community. Whether at a school fair, a nonprofit event, or a neighborhood market, our team goes where people gather, meeting both current and future patrons where they live, work, and play.
Face-to-face conversations remain one of the most effective ways to share the many resources the library offers.
In 2024–2025, our outreach team took part in a wide variety of events throughout Pickens County. Some highlights included:
• Stargazing Events – Held year-round in different communities, these events showcase the telescopes available for checkout through our Library of Things collection and provide an opportunity for patrons to explore the night sky together.
• High School Football Games – Each fall, we attend a home game at every high school in the county. We offer on-site library card sign-ups, give away library swag, and promote teen-focused programs and services.
• Christmas Parades – We celebrate the season by participating in six local parades, decorating our outreach van in festive style and spreading cheer with a joyful “Seasons Readings!”
• Community Festivals and Markets – We love being part of the energy and excitement at local festivals. Some of our favorites this past year included the Azalea, Issaqueena, and Waffle Festivals, where we engaged with thousands of community members. We also visited several local craft and farmers markets.
192 Total Events
123,151 Total Attendance
104,722 Adult Attendance
18,429 Youth Attendance
branch highlights
The Village Library in Pickens has steadily built a strong reputation for innovative programming rooted in wellness, creativity, and connection. Programs and services like Fit Over Forty, Kitchen Explorers, and the distribution of We Care Wellness Kits have empowered community members to prioritize their health and well-being in accessible, engaging ways.
Popular programs like Homeschool Hangout and Strollerbrary drew strong participation from the community, while the introduction of Taste of the World Spice Kits has encouraged culinary exploration and cultural appreciation. Community partnerships have flourished through off-site favorites like Stories and Snacks at the Doodle Park and the Busy Bee Crafting Hour at Bee Well, expanding the reach of library services into new spaces.
In Liberty, the Sarlin Community Library has become a dynamic community anchor, evolving to meet local needs through a powerful blend of sustainability-focused programs, social services, and engaging literary experiences.
Since its launch in 2021, the Lynn R. Baker Seed Library has flourished, fostering a deeper connection to nature and food independence. Complementary programs like the Propagation Station, which allows patrons to trade and take home seedlings and plant starters, have helped establish Sarlin as a green and growing place for learning and sharing.
Sarlin’s commitment to public service has expanded, with the library now offering SNAP assistance, Pickens County Foodshare boxes, notary services, and serving as a Passport Acceptance Facility. Cooking Matters, Wellness Workshops, and Homeschool Hangout and STEM deBRIEF summer robotics camp, further demonstrate the branch’s dedication to meeting real-life needs across all age groups.
Sarlin also created two unforgettable book clubs: Hops and Harvest and Homicide, and Nightmares and Knick Knacks, a quirky, horror-themed club hosted at Liberty Emporium. With engaging programs like these, including the popular Anime Club, the Liberty branch continues to grow as a beloved community destination.
branch highlights
BRANCH
HIGHLIGHTS
PICKENS
Fishing Classes with DNR
Daycare Storytimes & Senior Facilities Activities
Food Literacy
LIBERTY
Wellness Programs
STEM deBRIEF
Summer Camp
Passport Services
CENTRAL-CLEMSON
Food Share Pick-up
Ron Rash Book Talk
School’s Out Programs
The Central-Clemson Library has served as a cornerstone of lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and student support in the community. Its programming reflects an understanding of its diverse audience, from young learners to lifelong readers. Recurring favorites like Brown Bag Cinema, the Central-Clemson Book Club, and the imaginative Ballerina Storytime continue to draw in participants from across the area, offering fun and meaningful ways to engage with stories, film, and the arts. Known for its academic support, the branch’s Extended Hours during Exam Week have become a much-appreciated resource for local students. Programs like Kids Chess Meetups, self-defense classes, and hands-on activities such as book folding crafts have brought diverse learning opportunities to the branch—helping patrons build skills, and confidence.
Together, these three branches embody the heart of the Pickens County Library System. They are responsive, rooted, and resilient. Their continued success reflects not only the dedication of library staff but also the enthusiastic engagement of the communities they serve. As we look to the future, the innovative programs and partnerships developed at the Village, Sarlin, and CentralClemson libraries will continue to shape a stronger, more connected, and more inspired Pickens County.
community impact
This past year, the library deepened its role as a vital community hub by collaborating with local and national organizations to meet essential needs beyond books and information.
Hurricane Helene was devastating for many in our area. We opened the libraries as soon as we could (2 days after the event) to provide a place for the community to relax, charge devices, and access the internet. We also launched a disaster relief drive in partnership with United Way of Pickens County to collect and distribute essential supplies for those impacted. The Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library housed a FEMA Disaster Relief Center which provided in-person assistance to affected residents and small businesses, including help with disaster assistance programs, processing 965 FEMA applications, and referrals to other agencies. Additionally, several of our staff members also served in the Pickens County Non-Emergency Call Center – directing callers to resources and volunteers to the appropriate agency.
The library continued its partnership with the Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library and Central-Clemson Regional Library both served as early voting locations for the 2024 General and Presidential Election. Between the two locations, a total of 22,927 Pickens County citizens –over 60% of our county’s early voters! - were able to cast their vote at a site convenient to them.
Teaming up with Free File services, we hosted free tax preparation and filing workshops that helped 1736 individuals navigate tax season confidently. These services are especially critical for low-income families, seniors, and first-time filers.
“The library has so much to offer.”
- survey participant, June 2025
friends & foundation
The Pickens County Library System thrives thanks to the generous and consistent support of our Friends of the Library. This dedicated volunteer organization plays a vital role in nearly every aspect of library life, from advocacy and programming to staff support and community outreach. Their efforts help us expand what’s possible, allowing us to offer more programs, connect with more patrons, and meet community needs.
Our Friends help fund our standout Summer Reading Programs, provide access to cultural attractions through the Adventure Pass program, and support author visits and special events throughout the year. Thanks to their backing, Pickens County residents can explore places like the Western North Carolina Nature Center, the Upcountry History Museum, and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate—free of charge. Also, their efforts help fund everything from poetry contests to playsets for the children’s library.
PROJECTS FUNDED
Bookmark Contest
Poetry Contest Adventure Passes Summer Reading Programs Program Supplies
The Pickens County Library System Foundation ensures the long-term strength and sustainability of our libraries. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation focuses on large-scale, lasting support for library services throughout the county. Through strategic fundraising and generous community contributions, the Foundation helps us invest in the future of public libraries in Pickens County. Every gift is tax-deductible and has a direct, meaningful impact on what we can offer our patrons.
One of the most beloved ways to support the Foundation is through the Donor Leaf program. For a donation of $150, supporters can add a personalized leaf in honor or memory of someone special.
In addition, the Foundation helps raise visibility and support for the library through the sale of PCLSthemed t-shirts—allowing everyone to show their love for our libraries.
