He is wise who knows the sources of knowledge, where it is written and where it is to be found. - A.A. Hodge Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. - Samuel Johnson

Angela Smith helps one of the patrons of the Richland County Library use the computer.

Today patrons of the Richland County Public Library (RCPL) may be seen carrying a book under one arm and a laptop computer under the other.

At one million volumes, the nation's top library for 2001 is working to maintain its earned reputation for the scope and quality of its services by keeping up with ever-changing computer and internet technologies. The library was awarded Library of the Year by library professionals nationwide in 2001 for its innovative programs, service to the community, and other criteria.

The Richland County Public Library has served the community by reaching out to entrepreneurs. Karen Alexander used RCPL's resources when she started the Auntie Karen Foundation in 2001. "I felt like I had been blessed with these tools to make a difference," says Alexander. Alexander's foundation, which seeks to educate youth using the arts, hosts events such as this October's Young Entrepreneur Conference held at Benedict College. Alexander says that she used books from the library to learn how to plan events like the one at Benedict. She continues to utilize approximately 30 of RCPL's volumes per month to glean ways to strengthen her foundation. More information on the Auntie Karen Foundation can be found at http://www.auntiekaren.org.

Levi Campbell and Janice Dinkins use the internet services at the Richland County Public Library. RCPL has proven invaluable for small business owners, kids working on school projects, and book lovers alike. RCPL frequenter, Claudine Holroyd is an avid reader, and is never without a book in her hand. She says of the library, "They always have updated novels." But Holroyd's favorite thing about the library is the section 1431 at RCPL, she says, "I enjoy going into the film and sound department. They have all the latest movies available to the public." Expanded in May of 2006, RCPL's audiovisual section is commonly referred to as 1431 at RCPL. It exceeds 80,000 editions of music CDs and cassettes, books on CD, DVDs, videotapes, and CD-ROMS. Furthermore, 1431 at RCPL is a practical tool for busy patrons to use in their lives.

Sylvia Thompson (l) and Tracy Brown are some of the employees who help make the Richland County Public Library award-winning. Public Relations Manager Padgett Lewis says, "While reader habits are changing, the need for information is still there." Users can obtain their information via books on CD while they are on the go. Film and sound manager of 1431 at RCPL, Quincy Pugh says that 1431 shows how libraries are changing and will continue to change.

Two of the changes the audiovisual section of the library will make in the near future include a coffee shop and "play away," a digital audio book that users will be able to download onto an MP3 player.

In terms of technological expansion, the library itself includes 400 on-site computers, 40 electronic databases, wireless internet, and access to downloadable books.

Technology has also broadened to include changes in the library's catalog system which can now be found online. Patrons can use their home computer or one of the library's computers to reference any number of resources found at the library. In order to use RCPL's catalog for searches or placing holds on certain books, library users can visit http://www.richland.lib.sc.us/index.cfm and click on the link for the catalog.

RCPL provides its users with both convenience and direct help. Anyone from library novices to researchers can visit the first floor information desk to get assistance.

RCPL hosted summer reading clubs for approximately 25,000 children, teenagers, and adults last year. Interested patrons can simply visit any of the nine branches or the main library information desk and request to be signed up.

Last year, more than 28,000 South Carolinians attended free plays, literary readings, and other events hosted by the library's Literary Residency Program. RCPL won the statewide Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Award for the Arts in 2005 because of this program.

Last year, the library also ranked eighth in the national Hennen's American Public Library Ratings based on its circulation, staffing, materials, reference service, and other criteria last year.

Other branches of the library are Blythewood, Cooper on North Trenholm, Eastover, North Main, Northeast Regional on Parklane, Sandhills, Southeast Regional on Garner's Ferry Road, Wheatley on Woodrow St., and St. Andrews.

The library system also has a bookmobile that functions as a miniature, mobile library with eight stops. One of the stations is located in Ballentine, which is set to open its own RCPL branch within the next ten years as part of the library systems Ten-Year Expansion plan. The plan is designed to identify the largest areas of growth in the system.

The extension of the library system through the Ballentine Branch of RCPL illustrates the library's expansion of services.

More information on the Richland County Public Library's services, branch locations and calendar of events is available at http://www.richland.lib.sc.us.

Students can utilize the following services at RCPL:

+ "Get Research Ready" is a program that teaches students how to research using online and library catalog resources.

+ Teen Central, found at http://www.richland.lib.sc.us/teen/, provides a number of research tools such as a "Guide to Writing a Research Paper" and SAT preparation.

+ Approximately 30 Midlands youth introduce their artwork, stories and poems in the library's publication, Kids in Print.

Other RCPL resources and its 10 branch locations can be found at www.richland.lib.sc.us.