Have you explored the Greenville County library system? KAG Contributor, Nova, is sharing a rundown of all the things the library offers, and it’s so much more than books! Check out storytimes, craft events, homeschool meet-ups and learning opportunities, plus summer reading and even events for grown-ups. There’s so much happening at the Greenville County Libraries. Best of all, there’s no cost for these programs! We know our readers love free things to do in Greenville!
The Greenville Library isn’t just for reading books. Well, that might sound a little odd because it is the library. We typically go there to find a good book to check out and read (or listen to). The Greenville County Library (GCL) offers all kinds of books, music, movies, downloads of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, comics, and so much more. The GCL offers books for all ages and at all reading levels on just about any topic out there.
But, did you know GCL also offers programs, workshops, clubs, and events?
They offer something new to do and learn almost each and every day at one of their locations. And these programs aren’t just for the kids, either. There are plenty of things for teens and adults to do and learn, too! You might be surprised to know what the GCL offers beyond reading books. Did you know most (if not all) of these programs, workshops, clubs, and events are offered for free? Yes, F-R-E-E!
Many times, the library even provides the materials needed for the programs offered. In those cases, you are asked to RSVP in order to attend the program/workshop/club.
While you are visiting your library, you will see many of the events posted to be held at that location. You can take home an events calendar or head over online for topics, dates & times, and locations.
For Children at Greenville County Libraries
GCL offers many clubs and scheduled activities for babies, toddlers, and children. You can find many of these events on our KAG Calendar of things to do in Greenville. You can find all the events the Greenville Libraries offer on the Greenville Library calendar, where you can sort by location and event type. These are fun events like visiting with firefighters during fire safety week.
Some of the events offered for babies, toddlers, and children are Storytime, Toddler Tales, Create (Arts & Crafts), Crafternoon, Art 101, Sprout House Story Time, Wacky Science, The Studio, Coloring and Coco, Paint a Pot, Adventures in History, Pajama Party, and Preschool Picassos. The library also offers a variety of virtual classes and activities!
Do you have a child getting ready to start school? GCL offers a program to help your children get ready for school called Little Learners Club it’s a Kindergarten Readiness program.
For Kids on the Weekends
What if your child can’t make it to something during the day or workweek?
There’s stuff going on after school and during the weekends too! You might want to look for Crafternoons, Lollipops Concerts, and Story Time Ballet.
Teens and Young Adults
For teens, GCL has workshops such as Wacky Science, All About Anime, and they even offer a Teen Service Day. There are also virtual classes and activities for teens such as Teen Takeout Craft and Teen Cusine.
Does your child or teen need help with research or homework? Yes, they can help with that, too.
GCL offers Career & Test Prep, as well. Through a database of information, GCL offers free training, downloads, and tutorials designed to help students and adults assess interests in careers or career transition, test-taking help for ACT, SAT, GED, LSAT, and even the driver’s education practice test. You can find these resources at any branch location. Also, many of these courses can also be done in the comfort of your own home.
Summer Reading
Before you know it, the Summer Reading Program will kick-off. This is for everyone: kids, teens, and adults! GCL provides many fun and exciting events all summer long to encourage your summer reading. Rewards are given to all who sign up and finish the free program.
What if you’re not sure what to read or what to find for your kids to read? GCL has something called NoveList. NoveList is a resource you can use to find book recommendations based on appeal factors, curated lists, and read-alikes for titles you all enjoy.
For Adults at Greenville County Libraries
GCL offers workshops, clubs, and things for you to do, too! Want to learn how to draw, or color, write, learn to knit & crochet, get advice on healthy eating or a healthy lifestyle, learn how to dance, learn about photography, learn from Master Gardeners, need tips on how to sell your home, create a budget, need help with a resume, learn how to build & maintain your credit, learn about cloud storage, your ancestry and so much more? There are many clubs and events each day for adults, too.
Did you hear about the Seed Library? Cardholders can “check out” free seeds to grow plants and herbs at their home. This is something I’m really excited about!
Interested in joining a book club? The GCL has a Book Club for adults, too. You can join a club in person and/or online.
Want to learn a new skill? The GCL may be able to assist you with that, too. Check out their Learning Center for more details.
Maybe all this information is overwhelming to you and you aren’t sure where to begin when you visit the library? How about you “book a librarian.” This Book a Librarian service connects library cardholders to one-on-one research assistance, help with eBooks and other downloadables, and technology training.
Hoopla App, Digital Downloads, and Streams
If you share my need for an easy on-the-go book option, want to downsize the amount of hard copies of movies, books, magazines, and music you have in your home, and/or just want to broaden your horizons with free resources, the Greenville Library System’s various Download and Stream services deserve your attention.
Across only four platforms or apps, you can read e-books, comics, and magazines; watch music videos, TV, and movies; and listen to audiobooks and music. While each platform is different, there are a few things they have in common. The Greenville Library also has a free app called Hoopla where you can download ebooks, documentaries, audible books, and movies. You can rent seven items a month.
Loan Period of Digital Downloads
Like any item you check out from the library, each item has a set loan period. When the loan period is up, you can no longer access the item you checked out without checking it out again. (However, with Freegal, you can download five songs a week—and keep them.) In some instances, an item will already be on loan and you’ll need to place a hold on it and wait—much like you would any item found in the stacks at the library. Each platform is web-accessible or you can download the app for your Apple or Android devices.
How to Access Digital Downloads and Streams
To access them, you have to have an active library account and you need to create accounts on each of the platforms. Don’t have a library card? You can sign up for an eCard that grants you access to online resources and some of the Download & Stream services. The eCard is a temporary card. To get full access to library resources, you’ll need to stop in at a library with a photo ID and proof of residence.
Greenville County Library System: Apps for Digital Library Access
Hoopla
What you can access: Ebooks, Audiobooks, Comics, Music, Movies, and TV shows.
What’s to love:
- This app is a workhorse and offers a lot!
- Looking for items for a child? There is a “Kids” option you can check, which then allows the app to only show you kid-friendly material.
- You can also edit your recommendation settings. Do you like hip-hop music and books about gardening? Then simply click on those subjects and the app will recommend items for you.
- Have someone obsessed with Frozen in your household? You can download the Frozen II soundtrack and read a few Frozen II read-along books. We also love Mo Willems in our house and there are several Mo Willems audiobooks and movies (including a few biographies about Willems himself).
- Need a quick TV show to help your kiddo avoid a meltdown as you check out at the grocery? (We’ve all been there!) Paw Patrol. Daniel Tiger. Magic School Bus. Shimmer and Shine. Hoopla has many of your child’s favorites.
OverDrive
What you can access: Ebooks
What’s to love: OverDrive is easy to use and has plenty of popular titles. I’ve found books that were read in my book club, such as The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty, The Library Book by Susan Orlean, and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Richardson, to name a few.
They also have plenty of popular kids’ titles, too! My son will be jazzed to learn he can access more Pete the Cat books from the comfort of home.
Libby
What you can access: Audiobooks, eBooks, magazines
What’s to love:
- I am thrifty and for some reason, magazines always seem too expensive. Libby to the rescue! We may be ditching the two magazine subscriptions we have thanks to this app.
- We’ve really gotten into podcasts in our house lately and, once my son gets older and his attention span a little longer, I will gladly check out some of the audiobook titles on Libby. Their catalog includes popular contemporary fiction (i.e. Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and plenty of classics like The Land of Oz by Frank Baum.
Freegal Music
What you can access: Music and Music Videos.
What’s to love:
- Freegal offers more than 15 million songs across 200 genres!
- It’s a fun app for exploring new music via their various recommendations and playlists.
- Their Featured Playlists showcase some seasonally appropriate tracks, such as a playlist of poems for National Poetry Month or songs about or by Irish singers for St. Patrick’s Day.
I am regularly impressed by Greenville County libraries and these services really solidify this opinion. While the tangible feel of a book in your hands is difficult to replicate, digital media comes with benefits that a book can’t beat!
Greenville County Library Locations
Now, where do you go to visit a GCL location? Greenville County Library has 12 locations throughout the Greenville area:
Anderson Road Branch
2625 Anderson Road
Greenville, SC 29611
Augusta Road Branch
100 Lydia Street
Greenville, SC 29605
Berea Branch
111 N. Hwy 25 Bypass
Greenville, SC 29617
Five Forks Branch
104 Sunnydale Drive
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Five Forks Branch- Kidding Around Review
Fountain Inn Branch
311 North Main Street
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
Greer Branch Branch
505 Pennsylvania Avenue
Greer, SC 29650
Hughes Main Branch (Downtown)
25 Heritage Green Place
Greenville, SC 29601
Mauldin Branch
800 West Butler Road
Mauldin, SC 29607
Pelham Road Branch
1508 Pelham Road
Greenville, SC 29615
Simpsonville Branch
626 NE Main Street
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Taylors Branch
316 W Main Street
Taylors, SC 29687
Travelers Rest Branch
17 Center Street
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Don’t live in Greenville County but want to visit one of the libraries? You can visit, too. Surrounding counties can be a part of the GCL system. Non-Greenville County Residents in Anderson, Laurens, Pickens, and Spartanburg County can get a free library card with some restrictions. All other non-residents have a fee to pay for a card.
Just head over to any location and speak with the librarian there. They can help you get a card, and get you connected with all they have to offer. I hope this inspires you to stop in and visit a GCL location in person for books or one of these great clubs or programs. Feel free to check out GCL online and browse books, downloads, find out about events, club meet-ups and all GCL has to offer.
Do you regularly visit a GCL location for any events or clubs? If so, what’s your favorite? Let us know.
