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Hoopla Service Ended

After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue Hoopla after September 30, 2025.

As the days grow longer and the sun brightens our world, summer offers the perfect background for a colorful, fun trip — through books and exciting programs at your local Lexington County Public Library (LCPL). This year, our Summer Reading Program, Color Our World, is more than just a way to keep kids busy. It’s a free opportunity to dive into stories, inspire imagination and explore new ideas for all ages.

3 Reasons the Hunger Games Holds Up

Suzanne Collins’ groundbreaking young adult novel The Hunger Games was first published on September 14, 2008. With over 100 million copies of the original trilogy sold, five box-office hit films, and two best-selling prequels, it goes without saying that the series is a huge success. But what is it that keeps readers returning for more over a decade later? Here are three reasons why The Hunger Games is still so popular today.

Discover a New Language at the Library

We are excited to announce that we now offer Transparent Language free to all library cardholders. Whether you’re looking to help your child practice a foreign language, prepare for an upcoming trip or simply eager to learn something new, Transparent Language has you covered. With over 110 courses and supplemental resources — including American Sign Language and English language learning — there’s something for everyone.

Preserving the Past: Library History

We’re celebrating Library Lovers’ Month with the launch of the new Local History Digital Collections website.

Resources for Disaster Recovery

Many counties, including Lexington, were declared disaster areas due to the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Black History is American History

I remember being in school as a kid and wondering why we were only taught about historical Black figures during February. I then remember being confused because we only talked about well-known names like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Tips for Back to School

The back-to-school season is upon us, bringing with it a blend of excitement, nervousness and anticipation. Whether you’re a student, a parent or a teacher, this time of year marks a fresh beginning and a chance to set the tone for the upcoming academic year. To help you navigate this transitional period with confidence, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to ensure a successful start to the school year.

Hello, New App

We’re excited to introduce the new Lexington County Library app, designed to make using your library easier and more convenient than ever. With faster searching and a cleaner layout, it’s simpler to find what you want and spend more time enjoying it.

Learning & Growing with Mother Nature

Chapin Branch Library is planting a pollinator garden. After receiving our Certified Wildlife Habitat® status from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, we looked around and asked what else we could do to promote lifelong environmental learning. So much of our food comes from flowering plants — apples, cucumbers, watermelons, nuts and so much more. Crops depend on our wildlife friends to pollinate the flowers while they search for food. I learned this firsthand when a failed pumpkin patch never produced a single pumpkin. The vine was there, and flowers bloomed, but with no pollinators, no pumpkins grew.

Why Adults are Reading YA

Adults are reading Young Adult (YA) literature. Yeah, adult adults — grown people with jobs, who pay their own bills, chat about interest rates on mortgages, or maybe even have young adult children themselves. Not only are they reading it, they also make up most of YA literature’s readership.

People We Meet on Vacation

2021 was a great year for romance novels. Being a romantic at heart, I devour romance books with relish and it’s so refreshing to see an increasing number of diverse authors writing books with diverse characters falling in love. It’s also interesting to see this genre evolve into several sub-genres including contemporary romances with multidimensional characters who warm your heart with their goals, quirks, worries, likes and dislikes.

Potty Training Like a Pro

It’s time to talk about that horrible “P” word — potty. When it is time for potty training, you can’t help being a little apprehensive. Even if you have previous potty training experience, you cannot predict how potty training will go this time.

Community Conversations

Do you remember Show & Tell days from elementary school? I remember going home from school the night before, looking around my room, and thinking about what I could take that would seem super cool.

Winter Beauty Survival Guide

Whether you thrive during the winter months, or loathe the onset of colder temperatures, there’s no denying that winter can be unforgivingly tough on your beauty routine. And since studies show that women feel most attractive during summertime, I thought why not share some winter survival tips I’ve found helpful.

Crafting Culinary Delights for the Holidays

Home a feast for the senses Crafting Culinary Delights for the Holidays The holidays have arrived, and it’s time to start prepping for that perfect feast. If you’re ready to try something new this year, we’ve got you covered. This post has gathered some of the best recipes, ensuring your feast will be memorable for […]

Crafting Culinary Delights for Thanksgiving

Home a feast for the senses Crafting Culinary Delights for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s time to start prepping for that perfect feast. If you’re ready to try something new this year, we’ve got you covered. This post has gathered some of the best Thanksgiving recipes, ensuring your feast will be […]

Reading Recommendations in Your Inbox

We have added new categories to our NextReads Newsletters. Whether you enjoy fiction or nonfiction, we have a list for you. If you like a little faith with your historical fiction, romance or suspense sign up for our Christian Fiction newsletter. The Fantasy & Science Fiction newsletter brings you the best of fantasy, science fiction and everything in between.

Books are Magical

Unleash the magic — open a book and make today extraordinary. September 25 is National Open the Magic Day. After discovering this celebration, I did a little digging because it reminded me of unicorns. My five-year-old daughter is rather obsessed with them.

Latin American & Caribbean Cookbooks

Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to explore the culinary traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Whether you’re looking for traditional recipes or modern twists on classics, these books have got you covered.

Apple-solutely Love Fall

During the fall season, the apple truly hits its prime with delicious concoctions like apple cider, apple pie, caramel apples — and the list goes on. October marks National Apple Month, a dedication to the top-tier fruit that’s been around for nearly 10,000 years.

The Strange Origins of Everyday Things

Do you ever put your shoes on and wonder where the idea for them came from? Or pick up a child’s toy and think about how it’s made? What about those office supplies you use everyday? If you haven’t before, you will after reading about the origins of these everyday objects.

National Book Lovers Day

Calling all book lovers — did you know that there’s a day meant entirely for you? There’s no better way to celebrate than to grab a book, kindle or tablet and find a cozy place to read the day away.

National Mutt Day

If you’re anything like me, fur babies hold a very special place in my heart. Did you know that there’s a distinct holiday to celebrate our pups? July 31 is National Mutt Day.

Wine, Cheese & Books, Please

Since July 25 is National Wine and Cheese Day, I thought I’d make some reading and pairing suggestions. Who likes perusing their favorite genre or author with a nice red? Try reading on the patio with a chilled white? Here’s a list of some great pairings to get you started. If you have suggestions, we’d love to hear about some of your favorites, too.

Sink Your Teeth into Shark Week

What is the best thing about summer for those who love the ocean and all of its creatures? Sinking your teeth into Shark Week. New shows, new discoveries and new techniques for the conservation of these amazing creatures.

Japan: Olympic Host

As anticipation continues to grow and the world awaits the beginning of the XXXII Olympics, we’d like to take this opportunity to learn more about the Olympics’ host nation, Japan — also known as the Land of the Rising Sun.

The History of Food Chains

If you were a child of the 80s, had a crazy chorus instructor in the 90s or just love Mickey D’s, chances are you’ve got the melody of this jingle engraved somewhere in your memory. But did you know the OG McDonald’s didn’t even serve most of the lip-smacking items mentioned in the tune? Perhaps you’ve pondered the epic feud between Burger King and McDonalds and wondered why it started in the first place.

Community Conversations

Over the last year, we launched many new services in an effort to continue to reach patrons. Ask a Librarian online chat, virtual programming, personalized reading recommendations and self-checkout are just a few of the new services available.

Bestsellers & Backyard Fun

It’s that time of year. Dive into Summer Reading with virtual and in-person events planned for the whole family.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Memorial Day isn’t the only major celebration in May. For the past 40 years, Americans have also honored the history and contributions of its Asian Americans and Pacific Islander.

Top 5 Checked Out Picture Books

Have you ever wondered what the most popular books are at your library? Well, look no further, we’ve got your answer. You can even make it a game, grab a pen and piece of paper and jot down your guesses to see how many you get right.

Books in Verse

Roses are red, violets are blue, we recommend reading novels in verse, as something you should do. Novels in verse are not a new invention; if you haven’t experienced this thriving genre — now is the time, after all, April is National Poetry Month.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is dear to me because I admire females who refuse to be confined by a patriarchal system. I’m inspired by strong female leaders who don’t hold back — they speak their minds.

Get Creative & Crafty

March is National Craft Month. There’s no question that healthy people’s lives include creative outlets — a way to express themselves constructively so there’s less anxiety and stress from within.

The Power of a Good Snooze

It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against daylight saving time, we can all agree that changing the clocks is much easier than convincing our bodies that it’s 6 AM even though it’s screaming back, “Nope, it’s 5 AM according to my time.”

Black History Month

Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their stories and bookworms seeking good reads can choose from an array of …

Coretta Scott King Book Awards

February is Black History Month. It’s a time to bring more awareness and recognition of African American authors and illustrators whose work bespeak an appreciation of African American culture.

Board Games Aren’t Just for Fun

Board games aren’t just for fun — they’re learning tools. Cooperation, strategy, math, science, literacy, critical-thinking … there’s a game for that. From classic to brand new, here are some board games to play with your family.

The State Newspaper’s Free With Your Library Card

Read today’s headlines from The State — FREE using your library card. You can view and read a digital image of today’s newspaper from anywhere. Search for past news articles back to 1987 and browse web articles that were published on the newspaper’s website.

Beating the Winter, Back to Reality Blues

Winter is a beautiful and peaceful time of year, where life seems to slow down a bit for the holidays leading into the new year. When the new year arrives however, life tends to kick into overdrive. It’s a new semester at school, new projects at work and you’ve vowed this is the year to be healthy — all while dealing with everyday things, like catching up with your inbox and managing family schedules — and winter means shorter daylight hours and longer nights. It can be a lot of pressure to feel like there’s enough time in the day to get everything done without feeling overwhelmed.

Pilates & Yoga

Both yoga and pilates are spiritual and physical disciplines that use exercise and meditation to improve your overall health and happiness. While yoga has a 5,000 year history in Ancient India, pilates was not developed until the 1920s. Both disciplines focus on technique, breathing and alignment. However, the cornerstone of yoga is the spiritual connection you gain while flowing through the poses. Meanwhile, pilates is all about strengthening your core to improve balance and movement.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

“Bah, hum bug.” Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly, cantankerous miser, made his way into the homes and hearts of many people in the 1800s and has remained steadfast for decades. Charles Dickens wrote the classic tale A Christmas Carol, and published his work on December 19, 1843. Hoping to write his way out of a financial slump, Dickens penned this work as a commentary on how Victorian society treated the poor, as well as, the importance of goodwill towards all human beings. What better time to show goodwill than Christmas, right?

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month and to celebrate we have some facts about Native American history. However, please note that “Native American” encompasses many, many, many different cultures across the country — so for the purpose of this writing we have purposefully been very broad and focus largely on general Native American history. If you would like to learn more about a specific tribe and Indigenous history, visit any of our locations or go to Ask A Librarian for more information.

Fall Into Winter Reading

The days are getting colder and the nights are getting longer — but reading always brightens up our day — so we’re challenging you to Fall Into Winter Reading. We realize you’re busy, so we made it simple.

Kindness Project

We invite you to join in spreading kindness throughout the month of November. The library offers a series of activities encouraging local residents to be kind to others, be kind to ourselves, be kind to animals and be kind to the earth.

It’s NaNoWriMo Time

Fall is finally here. That means football, pumpkin spice, temperatures below 90 degrees and — for the month of November — NaNoWriMo. NaNoWri—WHAT? National Novel Writing

Food Assistance

Lexington County Library local resources for those in need The library provides a list of local organizations that offer food assistance. Please contact each organization directly for information about eligibility requirements and service hours. Name Contact Address Beulah United Methodist Church 803-568-6722 1577 Old State Rd. Gaston, SC 29053 Blessing Bags of West Columbia […]

Witches

Witches (and wizards) wield magic with a wave of a wand, a wiggle of a nose and the snap of a finger. Whether they are from Oz, Camelot, the Discworld — or the most magical land of all, Scotland — witches and wizards have made us spell-bound.

Werewolves

Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf? Not us. Werewolves are one of the world’s most famous shape-shifters, and have enthralled us in stories — both in print and on screens. Below the glow of a full moon, werewolves frolic and stalk the night. But what else do you know about werewolves? Read these hair-raising facts, and become a shape-shifting scholar.

Mermaids

Mermaids swim and splash through our imaginations in a flurry of shells, seaweed and scales. They give us mental images of gorgeous beaches, serene lagoons, sunken pirate ships and underwater cities made of coral. Not to mention grottos full of human treasures such as gadgets, gizmos, whozits, whatsits and thingamabobs galore. The secretive nature of these elusive men and women of the sea leave us with many questions. Surf through these awesome Mermaid facts and feel free to shell them out as you “sea” fit.

Phantom of the Opera

This weekend I started reading The Phantom of the Opera, the classic mystery/horror novel by French author Gaston Leroux. Having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I am of course familiar with the hit musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and have been singing it for days in anticipation of reading the novel for Irmo’s Multimedia Book Club. Almost immediately upon beginning my read of the classic novel, I was struck by a distinct impression: Ya’ll, this is going to be GOOD.

Vampires

Regardless of whether they are the heroes or villains of their story, vampires captivate our imaginations. These blood-sucking fiends (or, in some cases, friends) hide in the shadows, cloaked in the darkness of night. While vampires may hide from the sun, let us metaphorically shine a light on these ferocious, fanged creatures of the night.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

National Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. To celebrate Hispanic authors, illustrators and creators this month (and every month) be sure to check out some excelente books written by Latinx authors.

Hispanic Heroes You Should Know About

America is a beautiful melting pot of cultures, experiences and stories. Included in our great American narrative is the Hispanic and Latin American community. From September 15 to October 15, our country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage month. Hispanic culture has enriched the American way of life along with the way of the world from spicy cuisine, to the vibrant sounds of bachata, salsa and merengue.

The Origins & History of Labor Day

For many of us, Labor Day signifies the end of summer and many of us celebrate it outside barbecuing. As we look forward to spending the holiday with our family and friends, we thought it would be interesting to look back and see how it was celebrated in the past.

Women, Their Rights & Nothing Less

Happy Women’s Equality Day. August 26 marks the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, the amendment to the United States Constitution that gave women the right to vote. This year is extra special, because 2020 marks 100 years since the ratification of that amendment.

Back to School

Summer is coming to an end which means it’s time to get ready for school. Avoid the anxiety and let this be an exciting time for you and your children. Keep these tips in mind for a smooth transition back to school.

Fairy Tales: Little Red & Cinderella

Fairy tales are an important genre in children’s literature and have been passed down from generation to generation. Usually ending “happily ever after,” fairy tales make for a perfect family read aloud. These favorites …

Sharks

We sing about an entire family of sharks to an incredibly catchy beat. We hum the Jaws theme in the pool. We know that some sharks declare that “fish are friends, not food.” We get excited every year for Shark Week. We’re still not sure why there are so many Sharknado movies.

Lefties Get Their Day

Oh, hear the cheerful cries of the left-handed population. August 13 is officially recognized as International Left-Handers Day, and I find it most important to honor these everyday troopers for making it in a right-handed world. Why, you ask?

Congressman John Lewis

An American hero. A mover and shaker in the Civil Rights movement. Congressman John Lewis left a legacy that will far outlive his 80 years. On July 17, 2020 the fighter for justice and equality passed away. He is remembered for his relentless fight for human rights as well as leading the famous 1965 march in Selma, Alabama which garnered support for the Voting Rights Act.

Back to School During the Pandemic

This year, first-day-of-school jitters are mixed in with uncertainty, all while the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on our lives. Hand sanitizer and laptops have replaced backpacks and lunch boxes as must-have items for returning students …

Frida Kahlo

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo rendered the experiences of her life through painting, her colorful folk-art infused with surrealist elements that portrayed her pain, love and cultural heritage. She painted her first self-portrait while in a plaster cast, recovering from a devastating injury to her spine. As a young woman, a bus crash nearly killed her — leaving more than lasting scars, as the trauma affected her the rest of her life. This pain, and her loving but turbulent marriage to muralist Diego Rivera, became integral to her art, which also depicted the indigenous cultures of Mexico.

Camp NaNoWriMo

This summer, Lexington County Public Library encourages you to not only Imagine Your Story — but to tell it. Go camping in the comfort of your own home with Camp NaNoWriMo this July. This summer version of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) allows users to choose their goals for how they spend their time and utilize their creativity.

Upcoming YA Fiction Releases

YA (that’s young adult literature for newbies) has a lot of hot titles hitting the shelves this month — including books from some of our favorite authors and breathtaking debuts from fresh voices. We’ll experience the beginnings of exciting new series and the much-anticipated continuations and conclusions of others. No matter what you love, whether it’s thrillers, romance, fantasy, nonfiction or graphic novels, you’ll find a wide variety of books sure to satisfy every kind of reader. With all of these great works to read, you’ll be happily turning pages all summer long.

Literature’s Love Guru

As a Jane Austen novice, I was intrigued to read about one of her most popular novel characters, Emma, of whom Austen stated, “I am

Find Your Escape

One of the best things about being a reader is that even after we close the pages of a book, we don’t have to leave

Learn at Home

For supporting children’s continuous learning at home and for back-to-school plans, we’ve got you covered with virtual learning materials. Explore any interest, develop new skills, connect with others in the community.

5 Compelling Reads for Book Club Discussions

Virtual South Carolina Road Trips

With stay-at-home orders extended, many of us are starting to get cabin fever — we’re itching to stretch our legs and do something new

Curbside Pickup at Your Library

As part of our phased reopening, Lexington County Public Library is excited to announce contactless curbside pickup for requested items. At this time, each branch

Full STEAM Ahead

You’re probably already familiar with the term STEM or STEAM as it’s become an educational buzz word in recent years. Science, technology, engineering, art and math, are considered the most important skills for life in the 21st century; and while it may sound intimidating, it doesn’t have to be.

School at Home

The kids are bouncing off the walls — excited about a break from school, but now you’re tasked with managing them at home all day for weeks, potentially months, all while juggling work, dishes, laundry, taking care of the dog, cat, fish and all the other adulting stuff we do. Oh, I forgot to mention, the added stress of having to scavenge hunt grocery stores to find food, toilet paper and cleaning products (that are no where to be found) while practicing social distancing of a minimum of six feet. You really wish you had more hand sanitizer. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.

Libraries of Ireland

Ireland, with its stunning natural beauty, has a captivating history and vibrant legacy in culture including a strong literary heritage. This includes writers such as

I Need a Library Card

I’m stuck at home (with the kids) and I just found out about all the great ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music and magazines available at the

The Joy of Rereading

My friends have always known me as the girl who’ll read anything — cereal boxes, bottles of ketchup, warning labels on medicine — if there are words

Ancestry Library Edition

Discover the history of you — build a family tree and see your story emerge. There’s no better way to find generations of your family and

Census 2020

The 2020 Census is happening now. Each household should have received an invitation to respond to the short questionnaire sometime during March. You can respond

Katherine Johnson

On Monday of this week, the world awoke to news that Katherine Johnson — one of the pioneering black women featured in Hidden Figures — had died

Pizza ♥️ Love

Whether you’re a thin crust fan or a deep dish enthusiast, I’m sure we can all agree on one thing — pizza is love. Pizza can

The Roaring Twenties

The 1920s was a decade of bold fashion, the rise of jazz music, the emergence of new technology and the discovery of the Lost Generation.

From Real to Reel

First coined in the 1940s, a biopic is a movie that dramatizes the life of one central historical figure. The majority of biographical films focus

Adjusting Library Services During COVID-19

All Lexington County Public Library branches are open —offering limited in-person services such as browsing, computers by appointment and mobile printing. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our patrons, staff and volunteers. The library is closely monitoring the latest information and guidelines provided by the CDC and DHEC and we’ll continue to evaluate services daily. We encourage the public to practice social distancing. Limited services being offered in the branches include:

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