Oconee libraries set May 29 "Uncover a Story" summer reading kickoff with programs and grants

The Oconee County Library System will kick off its summer reading program, themed "Uncover a Story," on Friday, May 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Falls County Park, the Library Director (speaker 5) told trustees on May 20.

Programs planned for the season include a Jurassic Park'style escape room and gem mining for children, author visits (registration-only events), and large assemblies such as Critter Keeper in June and Safe Haven Animal Rescue in July. The director said adults and children can participate and described prizes tied to reading logs; after 600 reading minutes, participants are entered into grand-prize drawings.

The director attributed programming support to a combination of Friends contributions and a transcript-cited grant of about $8,000 from an entity described in the meeting as "SC 2 50." She also noted a $2,000 state library grant toward summer reading and Friends wish-list funds that provide roughly $1,500 per location for discretionary local spending.

Sign-ups were to begin the Tuesday after Memorial Day, with official program activity starting June 1. The director also encouraged use of the Beanstack app to track reading minutes while allowing paper logs for patrons without reliable internet access.

Trustees praised staff for program planning and credited named staff for assistance in outreach and social media; the director singled out adult services and youth services staff for their roles in organizing events. No board vote was required for programming; funding uses described draw on previously reported Friends contributions and awarded grants.