Good Friday Weekend Closing

All locations of the Florence County Library System will be closed from Friday, March 29th through Sunday, March 31st. We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, April 1st.


The Florence Library Welcomes Columbia, S.C. Poet Laureate Jennifer Bartell Boykin

Poet Laureate Jennifer Bartell Boykin will host a presentation of her book Traveling Mercy at Florence County Library on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This event is being held in honor of National Poetry Month. Bartell Boykin’s debut book of poetry navigates the journeys of a Black woman from rural South Carolina. The woman’s travels transcend time as she encounters history, nature, and grief and the book is a love story to survival. National Book Award winning poet Nikky Finney says, “Bartell’s Traveling Mercy is such an intimate history of a Black girl raised by Black women, raised by church fans and magnolia memories, dream-hymns of Black people pushing through mud and disease and held together by traditions.”

Bartell Boykin earned her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from the University of South Carolina, and works as a high school English teacher. Her second collection of poems Only Believe, is the winner of the 2023 Hilary Tham Capital Collection and will be released later in 2024.

No registration is required. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Stukes Meeting room at the Florence County Library, 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Call 843-413-7074 for more information.


Library Celebrates National Library Week with Award-Winning Children’s and Teen Author

The Florence County Library will celebrate National Library Week on Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m., with award-winning children’s and teen author Varian Johnson, who will give a special presentation. Books-a-Million of Sumter will be selling Varian Johnson’s books on-site at the Library, and a book signing will follow.

Varian Johnson was born in Florence SC and graduated from Wilson High School.  He was a Math and Science geek and had a love of reading.  He wanted to write books that had characters that looked like him.  Some of his books include Twins, The Parker Inheritance, and Playing the Cards You’re Dealt. Varian’s books are available to check out at all our library locations.

This program targets children, teens, and families who enjoy reading and using the library and is free to attend. (more…)


Florence County Library Presents Free Law Talks

This spring the Doctors Bruce and Lee Library will host a volunteer attorney from the South Carolina Bar who will give a brief topic overview and hold a question and answer session on four different legal matters.

The sessions will start at 5 p.m. on the following Thursdays in the Stukes Meeting Room:

  • Wills, Estates, and Probate, February 15
  • Divorce, March 21
  • Elder Law & End-of-Life, April 25

The law talks are free and open to adults (18+). The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Call 843-413-7074 to register, or for more information.


Lake City Public Library Easter Egg Hunt

Lake City Public Library will host an Easter Egg Hunt for preschool aged children on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Parents are asked to bring their own Easter basket for their child to use. Children will enjoy storytelling, crafts, and treats.

This event is free and open to the public. The library is located at 221 East Main Street in Lake City. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lake City Public Library. For more information, please contact the library at 843- 394-8071.


Florence Library Holds Computer Workshop: Email Basics

The next in the lineup for computer workshops at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library will be Email Basics (Gmail). The workshop will be held Tuesday, April 2, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the second floor computer classroom.

Participants will learn how to set up and use a Gmail account.

This adult (18+) program is free and open to the public.

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Call 843-413-7074 for more information.


Lake City Book Cover Design Contest

In observance of National Library Week, the Lake City Public Library will hold a Book Cover Design Contest for children ages 5-11 who reside in the Lake City community and surrounding areas.

This is the perfect opportunity for young individuals to design a new and unique book cover for one of their favorite books. All entries will be judged by a member of the Lake City ArtFields Junior Committee. The winner will receive a gift and a chance to have their book cover art displayed in the children’s department at the library.

No registration is required. Individuals may submit their book cover designs to the library during normal operating hours now through Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The winner will be announced at the judging event on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm in the library’s community center. (more…)


Percy Jackson Trivia at Florence County Library

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library will hold a Percy Jackson Trivia Evening for adults (ages 18+) on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Stukes Meeting Room.

Stephanie Smith, an enthusiastic fan of Percy Jackson, will lead a Percy Jackson Trivia event for adults.  Participants will answer Percy Jackson trivia questions and the winner will receive a prize. There will be a few themed snacks and beverages.

This adult (18+) program is free and open to the public. The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Call 843-413-7074 for more information.


Lake City Public Library Teen Poetry Reading

The Lake City Public Library Staff welcome teens in the community and the surrounding area ages 12 -18 to attend and participate in a Poetry Reading Event in the library community center on April 18, 2024 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. The event is being held in recognition of National Poetry Month, which is the largest literary celebration in the United States.

This recreational occasion will give young adults the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity in writing, as well as help them practice reciting poetry. No registration is required. For more information, please call the library at 843-394-8071.