Charleston
South Carolina
Charleston County Public Library
About Us :
We are committed to continually identifying, evaluating and responding to your informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs. Our readily accessible, user designed services are provided by trained professional and support staff.
We promise to continue in our efforts to make the Charleston County libraries essential to the life of every person who seeks our services.
History:
The Charleston County Library was established in 1930 and formally opened on January 1, 1931. It was first housed in the Charleston Museum building. Within the first two days four hundred cards were issued and by the end of that February, 8,473 books had been circulated. The library's services expanded rapidly. In June, 1931, the first library branches were opened to make library materials accessible to all county residents. At the end of the first year the library had 9,705 members and had circulated 77,459 books. In 1935 the library had expanded rapidly and it was felt that a separate building was needed. In 1935 the library moved to its new quarters at 94 Rutledge Avenue. By 1954, the quarters at 94 Rutledge had also been outgrown and a public campaign to was launched for construction of a new headquarters library building. A bond issue was put before the voters by County Council and was passed with a large majority. A site was selected on Marion Square where the west wing of the old Citadel was located and the new headquarters building opened its door in November, 1960.
On Sunday, February 8, 1998, the library closed its doors at the 404 King Street address for the last time. A brand new library was built only a few blocks away at 68 Calhoun Street, the grand opening being held Tuesday, April 7, 1998.
Recent News
CCPL Partners With The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, AT&T, and the Public Library Association To Support Digital Literacy
CCPL partners with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, AT&T, and the Public Library Association to support digital literacy Digital literacy programs will be offered at various library branches during January, February, and March.…
Read More »CCPL to Open Renovated John L. Dart Library on January 29, 2024
CCPL to Open Renovated John L. Dart Library on Jan. 29 The branch closed in October 2022 to receive updates on interior finishes, technology, furniture and more. CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will open the renovated…
Read More »CCPL Receives Donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The $2,500 contribution will support the after-school food program at the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library Charleston, S.C. – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) has received a $2,500 charitable contribution from the Food Lion…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library Shows Growth, Community Impact in 2022-2023
Charleston County Public Library (CCPL)'s Annual Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023) is now available. The report highlights how the system continues to grow and evolve into a modern library and service hub that has a…
Read More »CCPL Celebrates The Charleston Friends Of The Library During National Friends Of Libraries Week, October 15-21
The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will be spending the week of Oct. 15-21 celebrating its Charleston Friends of the Library (CFOL) group as part of the 18th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. The Charleston FOL…
Read More »After School Food programs Return to Charleston County Libraries
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) are working together to alleviate child hunger in Charleston by offering free after-school food at select Charleston County libraries. Beginning…
Read More »CCPL Celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month in September
Charleston, SC - This September, Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is joining the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide for Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time to remind parents, caregivers and students that a library…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library Recognized Nationally by Gale/Library Journal
Charleston County Public Library Recognized Nationally by Gale/Library Journal as a Library Defying the Odds The library system received honorable mention in the inaugural Libraries Defying the Odds award for its services and programs combating…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library News - June 8, 2023
Free Meals for Kids and Teens: Summer Feeding Begins June 12 at Select Library Locations Charleston, SC –The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL), Charleston County School District (CCSD) and the Lowcountry Food Bank (LFB) have teamed up…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library - Summer Reading Begins
Summer Reading begins Monday! Here's a breakdown... Visit the Summer Reading Website Download the Summer Reading Program Guide Register Online Download the App See…
Read More »Reading Is Radical This Summer At The Charleston County Public Library
This summer, the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Charleston County School District (CCSD) are winding back the clock to a time of VHS tapes, parachute pants, and boom boxes to remind you that Reading Is Radical. Summer Reading 2023,…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library To Open New Keith Summey North Charleston Library On April 20
The 20,000-sq-ft branch will celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a day full of fun and informative programs for all ages. CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will open the Keith Summey North…
Read More »CCPL Receives $10,000 Grant from Roper St. Francis to Fight Community Hunger
The grant will help fund the library’s Free and Fresh Community Fridge program at several library locations CHARLESTON, S.C. – Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s (RSFH) Community Investment Program has donated a $10,000 grant to the…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library - Charleston Time Machine Podcast Makes Radio Debut
CCPL’s Charleston Time Machine Podcast Makes Radio Debut 96.3 FM OHM Radio will air episodes weekly on Sundays at 3 p.m. CHARLESTON, S.C. – There’s now a new way to listen to Charleston County Public Library’s (CCPL)…
Read More »CCPL And CCSO Team Up To Bring Library To The Juvenile Detention Center In Charleston County
The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) in partnership with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) opened a library at the Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center on Tuesday, December 6. The detention center is located at 4450…
Read More »American Heart Association Partners with the Charleston County Public Library on Blood Pressure Kits
American Heart Association partners with the Charleston County Public Library on blood pressure kit The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, is excited to announce a new initiative that is being launched with…
Read More »CCPL Closing Temporary Cooper River Memorial Library Location for Renovation Construction
The limited-service branch opened in May 2021 to allow for construction of the new Keith Summey North Charleston Library on Rivers Ave Charleston, SC – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is closing the temporary location of the Cooper…
Read More »CCPL Receives Donation From Motley Rice Law Firm To Support Afterschool Food Program At James Island Library
Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) has received a $2,500 charitable contribution from the Motley Rice Law Firm to support the Kids Café program at the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library. This donation will help to fund the program at…
Read More »CCPL Celebrates the Charleston Friends of the Library During National Friends of Libraries Week
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will be spending the week of Oct. 16-22 celebrating its Charleston Friends of the Library (CFOL) group as part of the 17th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.…
Read More »CCPL Announces 2022 Cynthia Graham Hurd Staff Award Winner
CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston County Public Library’s (CCPL) Cynthia Graham Hurd Staff Award for 2022 has been awarded to Amy Adams, Branch Manager at the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library. This award honors the memory of Hurd, a 31-year…
Read More »CCPL to Open Renovated Dorchester Road Library on Oct. 3, 2022
CCPL to Open Renovated Dorchester Road Library on Oct. 3 The branch closed in July of 2021 to receive updates on interior finishes, technology, furniture and more. CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will open the…
Read More »CCPL closing John L. Dart Library for renovation as part of referendum-funded project
CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is closing the John L. Dart Library, located at 1067 King Street downtown, on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. to undergo renovations as part of the ongoing referendum-funded project. The…
Read More »CCPL Closing Village Library in Mount Pleasant for Renovations as Part of Referendum-Funded Project
The branch will receive interior refreshes including new paint and furniture Charleston, SC - Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is closing the Village Library, located at 430 Whilden St in Mount Pleasant, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. to…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library Hosting Book Club Programs Tied to MOJA Arts Festival’s NEA Big Read Campaign
CCPL Hosting Book Club Programs Tied to MOJA Arts Festival’s NEA Big Read Campaign CCPL is partnering with MOJA to help provide book access and special programming CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is…
Read More »CCPL and the Lowcountry Food Bank expand afterschool food program
The Kids Café program will offer free, nutritious meals or snacks to kids and teens from Monday, Sept. 12 through May 12, 2023. CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Lowcountry Food Bank (L CFB) are…
Read More »CCPL Celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month in September
CHARLESTON, SC - This September, Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is joining the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide for Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time to remind parents, caregivers and students that a library card…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library To Open Renovated Mount Pleasant Library On August 6, 2022
Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will open the renovated Mount Pleasant Library, located at 1133 Mathis Ferry Rd., on Saturday, Aug. 6. The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. at the branch. “We…
Read More »Charleston County Public Library - CCPL Launching Community Fridge program at three library branches
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is launching Free and Fresh Community Fridges at three library branches on July 1. The fridges will be available at the John L. Dart (1067 King St), Otranto Road (2261 Otranto Rd), and…
Read More »Free Meals For Kids and Teens : Summer Feeding Begins June 6 At Select Library Locations
Charleston, SC –The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL), Charleston County School District (CCSD) and the Lowcountry Food Bank (LFB) have teamed up to provide free meals and snacks at several library branches for kids this summer break.…
Read More »Read, Log, and Win this Summer with CCPL’s 2022 Summer Reading Program: Oceans of Possibilities
Readers of all ages can win great prizes by reading. Registration is NOW OPEN with the program running from June 4 - Aug. 13. Charleston, SC –Summer is almost here, and Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Charleston County School…
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