Quarterback Chris Smelley shows off his RCPL Summer Reading Club medal to Gamecock fan Miles Johnson. Spurrier's Gamecocks are taking the field at the Richland County Public Library for Pigskin Poets, an annual program that emphasizes the importance of summer reading, at 11 am on Friday, July 18 in the Bostick Auditorium of the Main Library, 1431 Assembly St. Children of all ages are encouraged to attend this free program, one of many Summer Reading Club celebrations at RCPL.

Stories, games and autographs are in the morning lineup for the Gamecocks, who will kick off the 2008 season to an expected capacity crowd of adoring fans. The program, now in its 11th season, helps establish reading as a fun summer activity, encouraging children to explore the variety of books, programs, and nonprint materials available at the library. "This unique partnership with USC allows one- on- one interaction with college athletes for many fans who would not have that opportunity otherwise," said Padgett Lewis, RCPL's public relations manager. "The players help us reiterate that reading is not only important, but cool also," Lewis continued.

For more information on children's programs, call 929-3434 or visit The Wild Place at www.myRCPL.com. The mission of the Richland County Public Library is meeting citizens' needs for reading, learning, and information.