Welcome to Oconee County Public Library online! A tremendous variety of materials and services are available at your library, including research tools, books, audio books, internet access, exciting programs and much more.

Public libraries have always been part of the fabric of America – the first publicly supported library in the nation was established here in South Carolina at “Charles Town” in 1698.  As society has evolved, so have our libraries.  The Oconee County Public Library provides residents with a reserve of the world’s knowledge by continuing to build an exceptional collection.  The library also provides the technology that enables citizens to access global networks and databases, or to connect to family and friends.  The four branch libraries of Salem, Seneca, Walhalla, and Westminster, as well as the mobile library, provide services to all Oconee County residents, regardless of age, education level, economic or social status, ethnicity, or distance from the library.

Usage at OCPL has never been higher.  Specifically in 2008-2009, your library:

·         was the destination of choice for over 233,341 visitors. 

·         saw 46,628 people sign in to use 36 public Internet computer terminals.

·         Saw 32,941 registered card holders check-out 354,339 books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and books-on-tape.

·         maintained a collection of 178,168 items and answered 18,668 reference questions.

·         was open seven days a week, for a total of 10,099 hours.

These services were provided by 18 Full Time and 13 Part Time employees.  As Oconee County’s fourth largest department, the total local expenditures for FY08, including salaries, was $1,076,272.54, or $16.25 per capita.  Check out the calculator link to figure the value of your investment!

Major accomplishments for 2009 include:

·         The Oconee Wireless Library (OWL) is now a reality. Wireless access was made available at all branches

·         Email notification was made available for holds received

·         Accepted grant of land from School District of Oconee County for the new Seneca Library

·         Installed new computers with updated software in all branches

·         Expanded programs for children and adults, such as tax preparation, job searching, and Family Movie Nights

·         Installed self-reservation system for computer sign on

·         Increased our use of donated materials to save much needed funds (thanks to our donors!!)

None of these projects would have been successful without the support of library patrons, program partners, the Friends of the Library, the Library Board of Trustees, and County Administration.  Nor without the outstanding cooperation of other county departments

The Oconee County Public Library will continue to evolve in 2009-2010.  The library has already experienced significant increases in usage for the first six months of the 2009 fiscal year (July 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008), as compared to the same time period in FY08.  Circulation of materials has spiked 14.71% and the use of public computers has risen 12.02%.

Now, the OCPL is being called upon to endure huge cuts in State Aid funding, while faced with increased demands for programs and services.  While the nation is in an economic crisis, the library must demonstrate its role as a catalyst for community revitalization.  The OCPL is an information utility, and as such, it is vital that it keeps operating at an adequate level in order to assist all Oconee County citizens.  The Oconee County Public Library stands ready to help this community recover from economic hardship and invest in the future.

Sue Baldwin

Library Director