Horry County Library Shelves Need a Face Lift

Ever since I was a young girl I've loved to read.

I love to read books.

I love the feel of a book.

I love the act of turning the pages and being able to see my progress--where I've been and where I'm headed.

It's very satisfying.

When my now young adult daughters were just little fellas, weekly trips to the Library were always a part of our routine.

Recently I became a grandmother and one of the things I want to pass onto my little granddaughter is the love of reading.  

I want her to love holding the written word in her hands.

I want her to love the smell of the pages in a good old book.

I am already looking forward to spending time with her in bookstores and used book shops seated in some little nook...sipping coffee and pouring over our latest find.

To get her started, I thought it a good idea to begin introducing her to not just little board books, but some of the very best books on tape as well.  

What better place to go for the Classics than the Library?

I live in Surfside Beach and so I excitedly trooped off to the newly renovated branch of the Horry County Memorial Library on Surfside Drive.

It's beautiful.

It's modern.

The old building was.....old.

The old building was small.

The old building seemed to house a very limited supply of newer materials.

The new building is...new.

The new building is large.

The new building seems to house a very limited supply of newer materials.

There is a lot of space, but as I examined each room and section inside...what I found was a lack. 

It's sort of all show and very little go.
The shelves in this brand new edifice needed a face lift to match their surroundings.

If a person visits the Library infrequently, then it might serve them well enough.

In my opinion...anyone who visits with any sort of regularity will go through the books, music and DVDs rather quickly.


I'm doing some research into how demand for each library in the Horry County system is assessed and the guidelines used for ordering new items.  

If you want an idea of how behind some of the offerings are in the brand new Surfside Beach building, then walk in and go to the Music section.  The "dated-ness" of the Cd's are a great representation of the Horry County Library system as a whole and  
I can say that because I've visited most of the branches.
 But the place where I expected to find the most up-to-date selections was at the main branch in Conway and it too seems to be a bit behind the times.
When there are a great number of VHS videos and Books-on-Tape on Cassette, then some refreshing of the stock is in order.


No matter what; I like any library no matter how stale the books, music and videos are because I can always find something I've never read.
The problem is that I am one of those people who takes home something from several sections:  children's, non-fiction, a video, some music and maybe a magazine or two.
So I have to wonder...is it the nice, new building which will bring in new patrons and consequently create the need for newer supplies?
Or will newer supplies bring in people no matter what the building looks like?


I'm sure I don't know, but I plan on finding out and I will get back with you !!


I will tell you one thing:
...whether you are a local or a visitor to the area, you will find that great Southern charm and hospitality alive and well at each of the library branches in Surfside Beach, Socastee and Conway.
Those are the three I frequent and those are the three I can vouch for.


Check it out! 
(pun intended)