The Navigator
The Anderson County Library System Newsletter
By ALEX CURRIN
POWDERSVILLE LIBRARY BRANCH MANAGER
At my segregated elementary school in Raleigh, NC, black history was celebrated the second week in February. However, my teachers told us about the contributions of African-Americans throughout the school year. We learned that there is strong evidence African nations had colonized the New World before Columbus. That a black man, Crispus Attucks, was the first American to die for this country. That the Chicago surgeon Daniel Dale Williams was the first physician to perform a successful heart operation. And that the black community in Los Angeles raised money to send Ralph Bunche to study at Harvard. He would become a diplomat and the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace Prize, 14 years before Martin Luther King, Jr. Norma Haywood, my fourth-grade teacher, placed a challenge for those of us who were collegebound. We were to be Dr. King’s lieutenants who would break doors open for those who came after us, or as the scholar W. E. B. DuBois would call us, “The Talented Tenth.” The superlatives of these great Americans should not overshadow black men and women who aren’t in the history books. I speak of those who bought the freedom of themselves and their families during slavery. Those who served in our two World Wars so gallantly that President Truman ordered the integration of the armed forces in 1948. Those who rode buses, sat at lunch counters, and endured firehoses and vicious police dogs. Those who challenge authority at the untimely death of African-
February 2020
Americans who have had confrontations with law enforcement. And on a more personal note, my grandfather, a farmer in rural North Carolina who sent his nine children to college. African-American labor built the White House and cleared the frontier. This isn’t to say that the black experience in America has been one of continuous tribulation. African-Americans have been trendsetters throughout this nation’s history. You hear it in our music—the blues, jazz, Motown, and hip-hop. You see it in fashion—Ann Lowe designed Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress, Stephen Burrows made clothes people wore to be seen in the disco era, and Russell Simmons and Sean “Diddy” Combs made urban wear commonplace. And filmmakers Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, and Gordon Parks have raised the profile of the black aesthetic. February truly is a time to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans. The library will commemorate the month in the following ways: A crossword puzzle with names and events prominent in black history for ages 12 and under A pathfinder with clues to names and events prominent in black history for teens and adults Pictures of prominent African-Americans that you can take selfies with Bold Type, a program where members of the community read works from prominent AfricanAmericans Reading lists of fiction and nonfiction by AfricanAmerican authors Black History is American history. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. Let the journey begin.
All Anderson County Library locations will be closed Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. STORYTIMES page 2
POETRY CONTEST page 3
CRAFTING CLASSES page 3
GARDENING page 3
COMPUTER CLASSES page 3
youth
Storytimes Family Mondays | 10am • Lander Tuesdays | 10:30am • Pendleton Tue, Feb 11 & 25 | 10:30am • Iva Wednesdays | 10:30am • Powdersville Bilingual Mon, Feb 10 | 4pm • Powdersville AT ANDERSON MAIN Toddler Tales and Tunes, ages 18 mos. - 3 yrs. Tuesdays | 9:15am & 10:30am Books and Babies, ages 0 - 18 mos. Wednesdays | 9:15am & 10:30am Preschool Storytime, ages 3 - 5 Thursdays | 9:15am & 10:30am Saturday Storytime, ages 1 - 5 Saturdays | 10:30am
LEGO® Club, ages 5 - 12 Mon, Feb 3 & 17 | 4pm • Anderson Main Tue, Feb 11 & 25 | 4pm • Powdersville Mon, Feb 17 | 4pm • Lander LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this club. Budding Bookworms, grades 1 - 5 Find your next favorite read and make a craft. Registration required. (864) 338-8330 or belton@andersonlibrary.org. Tue, Feb 11 | 4pm • Belton Explorers Club, ages 6 - 9 Listen to Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates by Lynne Barasch and explore rhythm with percussion instruments. Thu, Feb 13 | 4pm • Anderson Main
Family Night: Pajama Party Wear some comfy pj’s and bring your favorite stuffed animal for some special stories and snacks. Then decorate a pillowcase to take home. Tue, Feb 18 | 6:30pm • Anderson Main
2 | www.andersonlibrary.org
Tween Book Club, grades 4 - 7 The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis Tue, Feb 4 | 4pm • Powdersville Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk Tue, Mar 3 | 4pm • Powdersville
teens Seventh Annual Poetry Contest, ages 12 & up From February 17 to March 17, submit your original poem for a chance to win a prize. The first 100 submissions will be published in a book which can be preordered for $10. The winners will be announced at the Poetry Contest Reception on April 30. Check our website for more details. Teen Volunteer Day, ages 12 -18 Choose from a variety of activities to assist with and earn volunteer credit. Snacks provided. Registration required. (864) 260-4500 x126 or teens@andersonlibrary.org. Tue, Feb 11 | 5 - 7pm • Anderson Main Un-Valentine’s Day Drop In, ages 12 - 18 Drop by to eat fun treats and create unique crafts. Fri, Feb 14 | 4 - 5:30pm • Anderson Main
Teen Anime and Manga Academy, ages 12 -18 Vote for the anime you want to watch, get manga recommendations, and enjoy snacks and conversation. Anime will be rated TV-PG to TV-14. Anime provided by Crunchyroll. Tue, Feb 25 | 5 - 7pm • Anderson Main
adults Tai Chi Free classes led by a trained instructor. Mondays | 10am • Powdersville
Handcrafts Enjoy coffee, conversation, and crafting. Sat, Feb 8 & 22 | 10am • Anderson Main Creative Crafters: Handmade Journal Registration required. (864) 260-4500 x126 or adultprograms@andersonlibrary.org. Tue, Feb 11 | 5pm • Anderson Main
Adults For households making approximately $60,000 or less. Call 211 to make your appointment at one of five library locations. Appointments are available Jan. 27 - Apr.15. Visit any library location or our website for schedule.
Basic Genealogy Ever wondered about your family’s history? Start your journey with an overview of basic resources, tips, and search skills. Registration required. (864) 260-4500 x130 or scroom@andersonlibrary.org. Thu, Feb 13 | 10am - 12pm • Belton Seventh Annual
POETRY CONTEST From February 17 to March 17, submit your original poem for a chance to win a prize. The first 100 submissions will be published in a book which can be preordered for $10. The winners will be announced at the Poetry Contest Reception on Thursday, April 30. Check our website for more details. HeritageQuest Online Learn how to search census records, maps, city directories and much more with this resource you can use from home. Registration required. (864) 260-4500 x130 or scroom@andersonlibrary.org. Tue, Feb 18 | 10 - 11am • Iva Dig In: Gardening How-Tos Learn from a Master Gardener how to grow peonies. Registration required. (864) 847-5238 or Lander@andersonlibrary.org Tue, Feb 18 | 6pm • Lander (Williamston) In Stitches Bring your crochet or knitting project in to work on. Thu, Feb 20 | 10am • Powdersville Brush Tips Artists’ meetup. Bring your supplies and work on your project in a relaxed atmosphere. Thu, Feb 20 | 4:30 - 7:30pm • Pendleton Curious Crafters Try paper quilling to make interesting designs. Registration required. (864) 338-8330 or belton@andersonlibrary.org. Thu, Feb 20 | 2pm • Belton
NEW! Strings and Things Bring your crochet or knitting project in to work on. Thu, Feb 27 | 10am - 12pm • Belton Blind Date with a Book Through the month of February at the Anderson Main Library, take a book home without knowing its title and let us know what you think. How it works: check out a wrapped book, fill out your Rate the Date bookmark, and return it to us by March 2 to be entered into a prize drawing. Look for the display by the circulation desk on the main floor. Computer Classes At Anderson Main only. Call (864) 260-4500 x126 to sign up. Computer & Internet Basics Thu, Feb 6 | 10am - 12pm; Sat, Feb 22 | 3:30 - 5:30pm Email Essentials Sat, Mar 21 | 3:30 - 5:30pm Microsoft Word Basics Thu, Feb 13 | 3 - 5pm; Thu, Mar 19 | 10am - 12pm Intermediate Microsoft Word Thu, Feb 27 | 3 - 5pm Microsoft Excel Basics Thu, Mar 26 | 10am - 12pm Open Lab Thu, Feb 20 | 10am - 12pm; Thu, Mar 5 | 3 - 5pm
All Ages
The poetry, speeches, essays, and stories of Black America read by today’s leaders. Refreshments and a reception to follow. Thu, Feb 20 | 7pm • Anderson Main
Tiny Book Workshop, ages 9 and up Come see the Creativity Caravan's Tiny Book exhibit and learn how to make your own tiny book! Registration required. Registration ends on Feb 27. (864) 2604500 x126 or teens@andersonlibrary.org. Thu, Mar 5 | 5 - 6:30pm • Anderson Main
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Locations Anderson Main Library 300 N. McDuffie Street Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 260-4500 administration@andersonlibrary.org Belton Library 91 Breazeale Street Belton, SC 29627 (864) 338-8330 belton@andersonlibrary.org Bookmobile (864) 260-4500 x176 bookmobile@andersonlibrary.org
Iva Library 203 W. Cruette Street Iva, SC 29655 (864) 348-6150 iva@andersonlibrary.org Jennie Erwin Library 318 N. Shirley Avenue Honea Path, SC 29654 (864) 369-7751 honeapath@andersonlibrary.org Lander Memorial Library 925 Greenville Drive Williamston, SC 29697 (864) 847-5238 lander@andersonlibrary.org Pendleton Library 650 S. Mechanic Street Pendleton, SC 29670 (864) 646-3045 pendleton@andersonlibrary.org Piedmont Library 1407 SC Hwy 86 Piedmont, SC 29673 (864) 845-6534 piedmont@andersonlibrary.org
Powdersville Library 4 Civic Court Powdersville, SC 29642 (864) 295-1190 powdersville@andersonlibrary.org
Book Clubs Between the Covers Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs Feb 6 | 6pm • Lander Shades of Earl Grey by Laura Childs Mar 5 | 6pm • Lander Brews and Books The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Feb 19 | 7:30pm • Carolina Bauernhaus Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Mar 18 | 7:30pm • Carolina Bauernhaus Brown Bag An American Marriage by Tayari Jones Feb 26 | 12pm • Anderson Main Commonwealth by Ann Patchett Mar 25 | 12pm • Anderson Main Chapters & Chatter Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Feb 4 | 2pm • Belton Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Mar 3 | 2pm • Belton Cover to Cover The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Feb 6 | 6pm • Powdersville Feb 7 | 12pm • Powdersville Page Turners Becoming by Michelle Obama Feb 16 | 3pm • Anderson Main A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Mar 15 | 6pm • Anderson Main Thursday Night Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Feb 27 | 6pm • Pendleton Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde Mar 26 | 6pm • Pendleton
GAIN- Greater Anderson Interfaith Network Book Discussion Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor Feb 9 | 2:30pm • Anderson Main
Westside Community Center Library 1100 West Franklin Street Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4660 westside@andersonlibrary.org
www.andersonlibrary.org
Bookmobile Mondays John’s Slabtown Variety Store 9:30 - 10:15am Legacy of Anderson 10:30 - 11:15am Dominion Senior Living 11:20am - 12pm Townville Dollar General 2:30 - 4pm Tuesdays West Market School of Early Ed. 9:15 - 10:15am Adult Education Center 10:30 - 11am Northlake Condominiums 11:15am - 12:00pm Bi-Lo at 4405 Hwy 24 2:30 - 4pm Wednesdays South Fant School of Early Ed. 9:15 - 10:15am Anderson Co. Alternative School 10:30 - 11:00am Jonathan’s Joy Apartments 11:15 - 12pm Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church 2:30 - 4pm Thursdays Belton Preparatory Academy 9:30 - 10:30am Richard Campbell Veterans Home 10:45 - 11:15am Brookdale 11:30am - 12:15pm Roberts Presbyterian Church 2:30 - 4pm