Richland County Public Library
Encyclopedia
Richland County Public Library is the public library system of Richland County
, South Carolina
. It has 11 branches including its 242000 sq ft (22,482.5 m²) Main Library. In 2001, it was named the National Library of the Year by the Library Journal
and the Gale Group.
. The library added a bookmobile, and a Phillis Wheatley
branch in the African-American neighborhood of Waverly in 1930. In 1933 Richland County began financing the library, and in 1934 the South Carolina General Assembly
approved the takeover, so the name was changed to Richland County Public Library. In 1986, the RCPL, together with the University of South Carolina
, began an annual event, "A(ugusta) Baker's Dozen: A Celebration of Stories" in honor of Augusta Braxton Baker
, a pioneering children's librarian originally with the New York Public Library
.
Over the decades the library added branches, and by 1989 had outgrown its 32000 sq ft (2,972.9 m²) main branch. On February 14 of that year, that voters of Richland County approved a $27 million bond referendum. Exactly four years later the new Main Library opened at 1431 Assembly Street. The project had been shepherded by C. Warren David, library director since 1979. The remainder of the bond proceeds were used for other improvements, including the addition of seven new branch buildings. In 2001, the Library Journal and the Gale Group named Richland County Public Library the National Library of the Year.
's Where the Wild Things Are
. This is the only place in the world that Sendak has approved such use of his work.
Richland County, South Carolina
Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. It has 11 branches including its 242000 sq ft (22,482.5 m²) Main Library. In 2001, it was named the National Library of the Year by the Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
and the Gale Group.
History
The library began as a private charity in 1896. In 1924 the City of Columbia took over the operation and financing of the library, and the Columbia Public Library was born. Having been housed in a number of storefront locations, in 1929 the library moved into the former home of Dr James Woodrow, the uncle of President Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. The library added a bookmobile, and a Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American poet and first African-American woman whose writings were published. Born in Gambia, Senegal, she was sold into slavery at age seven...
branch in the African-American neighborhood of Waverly in 1930. In 1933 Richland County began financing the library, and in 1934 the South Carolina General Assembly
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
approved the takeover, so the name was changed to Richland County Public Library. In 1986, the RCPL, together with the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, began an annual event, "A(ugusta) Baker's Dozen: A Celebration of Stories" in honor of Augusta Braxton Baker
Augusta Braxton Baker
Augusta Braxton Baker was an African-American librarian and storyteller, renowned for her contributions to children’s literature.-Early life and education:...
, a pioneering children's librarian originally with the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
.
Over the decades the library added branches, and by 1989 had outgrown its 32000 sq ft (2,972.9 m²) main branch. On February 14 of that year, that voters of Richland County approved a $27 million bond referendum. Exactly four years later the new Main Library opened at 1431 Assembly Street. The project had been shepherded by C. Warren David, library director since 1979. The remainder of the bond proceeds were used for other improvements, including the addition of seven new branch buildings. In 2001, the Library Journal and the Gale Group named Richland County Public Library the National Library of the Year.
Main Library
Costing $11.6 million, the four story, 242000 square foot Main Library, designed by architect Eugene Aubry, was the chief reason for the bond issue. Aside from the striking exterior, the Children's Room, which is located in the building's basement, has a mural of characters from Maurice SendakMaurice Sendak
Maurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963.-Early life:...
's Where the Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are is a 1963 children's picture book by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several times, including an animated short in 1973 , a 1980 opera, and, in 2009, a live-action feature film...
. This is the only place in the world that Sendak has approved such use of his work.