Chapin Memorial Library

https://www.chapinlibrary.org/
(843) 918-1275

400 14th Avenue North

Jennifer Nassar, Chapin Memorial Library Director

OVERVIEW

The outstanding Chapin Memorial Library team are housed within the city's Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department. All Chapin Memorial Library staff members serve as city employees and offer a variety of programs to our residents, locals and visitors alike. Facility hours are below.

Mondays and Wednesdays
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Fridays
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturdays
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sundays
Closed

LIBRARY'S HISTORY

Chapin Memorial Library is the only city-owned library in South Carolina. The public library originally opened in 1939 at a location on North Kings Highway with 501 books. During World War II, the library relocated to the Chapin Company building as part of the government recreation program for soldiers. In August 1948, the Chapin Foundation provided $40,000 for a library on city park land and an additional $2,000 for landscaping. Chapin Memorial Library opened on June 1, 1949, on the corner of Kings Highway and 14th Avenue North. The facility has been expanded four times.

REGISTRATION POLICY

Chapin Memorial Library offers both free and paid memberships. Library memberships allow patrons to borrow library materials, download and access electronic content for our website, and use a public access computer twice a day for up to two-hours per session.

MEMBERSHIPS

The Chapin Memorial Library card fees are listed below. Accepted forms of photo identification include a driver’s license, passport, school identification and employee identification. Examples of accepted proof of address include a driver’s license, paid property tax receipt, vehicle registration, a utility bill, postmarked bank statement or an official copy of bank statement. If lost, card replacements cost $2.

City Residents – Free
City Employees – Free
U.S. Military/Veteran ID or DD214 – Free
Horry County Residents – Free
Participating Palmetto Overdrive Consortium Counties (Darlington, Dillon, Georgetown, Marion, Marlboro and Sumter) – Free
Guest Computer Access – Free for Six Months or One Two-Hour Session Per Day
Non-Residents Excluded from Groups Above – $8/90-Day Card ($2 for each additional family member) and $20/Annual Card ($8 for each additional family member)

LOAN PERIOD & OVERDUE FEES

Seven-Day Materials... One-week materials consist mainly of DVDs and magazines. The overdue fine is $0.10 per day, per item, and a maximum of $5.00 per item.

14-Day Materials... New Books are available for loan for a 14-day period. The overdue fine is $0.25 cents per day, per item, and a maximum of $5.00 per item.

21-Day Materials... All other circulating materials may be borrowed for a 21-day period. The overdue fine is $0.10 cents per day, per item, and a maximum of $5.00 per item.

Reference Books, Genealogical Materials & Certain Periodicals... The materials are classified as non-circulating and must be used in the building.

Inter-Library Loans... Overdue fee is $1.00 per day, per item. Maximum fine is determined by the lending library.

INFORMATION SERVICES

The Information Services (IS) Division is located on the second floor of the library, and is home to the Adult Reference Collection, Adult Public Access Computers and the Shirley W. Boone South Carolina Genealogy Room. The IS team provides basic research, computer and Internet usage guidance and beginning genealogy assistance. Other services include inter-library loan, test proctoring and reader’s advisory.

YOUTH SERVICES

Youth Services (YS) staff provide reader's advisory to beginning readers, help older children pick out chapter books and recommend novels and advanced books (teens and young adults). The Youth Services Division conducts several "storytime" sessions per week, and offers many craft and educational workshops for our younger patrons. See the website calendar for details. Computers and printing are also available for homework, entertainment or research in the YS Department, located on the second floor of the library.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS

All library programs, shows, clubs, lectures and “storytimes” are free and open to all. However, some programs do require pre-registration. Check our online website calendar for information and program schedules.

VOLUNTEERS & FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Chapin Memorial Library offers many options for prospective volunteers serve and enhance library programs. If you have an interest in becoming a library volunteer, pick up a "Volunteer Opportunities" flyer at the library. Or, call 843-918-1275 for more information.

EQUIPMENT

Public Computers... The library has 19 computers available for adults, three for young adults and four for children. All computers use Microsoft Windows 10 and have the Microsoft Office 365 Software Suite installed (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and Access). All computers can print in black and white copies, at a cost of $0.15 per page. Adult computers can print in black and white at a cost of $0.15 per page, and can print in color at $1.00 per page.

Wireless Access... The library provides free wireless access to all visitors during regular business hours. Users must agree to the Acceptable Usage Policy on their device in order to connect.

Scanning... Document scanning is available on both floors of the library. See staff for assistance. Scanned files can be emailed or saved to a patron provided USB drive. Charges are: $1.00 for up to 10 pages; $2.00 for up to 20 pages; and, so on. The cost is accumulated per scan job or electronic delivery, with a maximum of 50 pages.

Copier... The library provides a photocopy machine located on the first floor in the lobby. The cost is $0.15 per page side for black and white, and $0.25 per page side for color.

Fax (Facsimile) Machine... Transmitting and receiving charges are $2.00 for the first two sheets, and $0.25 for each additional sheet. No faxes can be sent 30 minutes prior to closing. As a courtesy, please alert library staff of incoming documents.

Audio/Visual Equipment... NetBooks and a LiteShow projector are available for public use. Equipment is available for library cardholders within the building during normal library hours.

Microfilm Reader/Printers... The library has two microfilm reader/printers located on the second floor of the library in the Information Services Department. Both machines have the ability to print both microfilm and microfiche in black and white. The cost is $0.10 per page.

Typewriter... The library has a single electric typewriter with corrective ribbon located upstairs in the Information Services Department. Users can bring their own paper or purchase paper at a cost of $0.10 per sheet. No appointment necessary. First come, first served.