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Library director: nearly 200 outreach events, $20,000 donation and mobile study booths on the way
Summary
Amanda, Beaufort County library director, told trustees the library ran nearly 200 outreach events reaching about 10,000 people, received a $20,000 donation for northern-branch collections, won an LSTA impact grant for mobile study booths (10—12-week delivery), and reported digital circulation rising to 33% from 28%.
Amanda, the Beaufort County library director, told the board that library staff "have participated in nearly 200 outreach events" over the past four months and that those events reached about "10,000 people" compared with roughly 170 events and about 4,000 people in the prior year.
Those outreach efforts include the Habersham Harvest Festival and the Hilton Head Island Italian American Festival, where the bookmobile signed up new patrons and promoted library services, Amanda said. She also highlighted a new food resource brochure produced in collaboration with Beaufort County Human Services to connect residents to food-assistance providers.
On programming, Amanda previewed a "Literacy Together" brunch supported by the Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County that will feature Dr. Tompkins of USC and will bring local literacy partners together. She also announced a local author festival, Penn and Palmetto, planned for March 2026 in Bluffton with more than 30 authors committed.
In facilities and capital updates, Amanda said the library received an LSTA impact grant and has ordered mobile study booths; the vendor estimates the booths will arrive in "about 10 to 12 weeks," with installation anticipated in late January or February. She also reported an anonymous donation to improve the Bluffton early-literacy room and Public Library Foundation funding to refresh the Saint Helena teen room.
Amanda described the regional resource-sharing consortium South Carolina Lends as expanding: "by summer of 2026, we're expecting" seven additional libraries (Darlington, Dillon, Georgetown, Marlboro, Marion, Sumter and Chapin Memorial/Myrtle Beach) to join, which she said will broaden intercounty lending and reduce costs.
On circulation trends, Amanda presented year-over-year comparisons for July—October showing digital circulation rising from about 28% to 33% while physical circulation moved from 72% to 67%. She said the uptick in digital usage is notable but that physical items still account for the larger share of circulation.
The director closed by inviting trustees and the public to upcoming events and said staff will continue implementing web and event-calendar upgrades planned for an early 2026 public unveiling.
The director's presentation was followed by trustee questions about specific events and program logistics. No formal board action was taken on these program updates; they were informational.
