Great Gatsby Kickoff

Expert talks F. Scott Fitzgerald at The Big Read kickoff

Thanks to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal for great coverage. The kickoff article is in today's edition: Go here.

There were about 200 folks for the event, and about 150 listened to Dr. Matthew Bruccoli. Dr. Bruccoli mentioned that we had the most people attend a kickoff event where he lectured. We're glad he came up the road rom Columbia. He did a great job.

We will post pictures from the event when the disk is delivered from the photographer.

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part VII

Today's Spartanburg Herald-Journal had a nice article on The Great Gatsby with perspectives from local college professors. Click here for the article. For detailed program information visit the Libraries' Gatsby web site.

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part VI

I spent the morning with the Libraries' good friend, Bill Drake. Bill has supported library services in Spartanburg County for over 30 years. Bill and I discuss libraries and The Great Gatsby. Here is a short film of Bill in the studio...

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part V

Tom Johnson and I appeared on WSPA TV-7's Your Carolina on Tuesday to discuss The Big Read. Jack and Kimberly were great hosts. The video clip is to intense to upload...sorry...I will work on it, and try to make it available later.

Happy Birthday...Fitz

Today would have been Fitzgerald's 111th Birthday. So, we are having a party. See the previous post or go here: Party.

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part IV

The Great Kick Off!

Sunday, September 30 from 2:00 - 5:00

Headquarters Library

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part III.IV

The Libraries' web services librarian, Jennifer, has worked very hard to put together a slick Gatsby About Town web presence. There are two ways to access the site. You can go through: http://www.infodepot.org/ or you can go here: iFitz . Take a look at some of the pages. I especially like the exhibits page. Jennifer will add more later.

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part III

Today's Spartanburg Herald-Journal had a nice article and picture on the Libraries' The Big Read. Go here: SHJ - Article .

Yesterday, the Libraries' Board Chair and I presented The Big Read to County Council. Each received a copy of The Great Gatsby, program brochure, reader's guide, bookmark and library card information.

The Chairman of Council, Jeff Horton, is the co-chair along with Spartanburg's Mayor Bill Barnet.

Getting Ready for Gatsby Part II

Have you seen the Gatsby commercial? Well, here it is. Thanks to the Spartanburg Little Theatre and WSPA-7 for their hardwork.

Getting Ready for Gatsby

Materials are beginning to arrive for The Big Read: Gatsby About Town. We are preparing books, displays and finalizing programs. Here are some pictures from the Board Room where we are pulling together all of the materials. The Big Read is from September 30 - November 10. The Libraries will give out over 4,200 books., and we are working with over 45 countywide partners.

And the Answer Is...

Friday night - long week, and I am watching Jeaopardy! College edition. The question: What is the name of the private study area bordered by three privacy walls used by students especially around the Christmas Holidays?

Well, this guy named Cliff from UCLA answered "Gift Box".

Well, sorry Cliff, the answer is carroll. But then again you won the match, and your weekly winnings is $100,000. I guess it can be "gift box" if you want it to be.

The Lead Box has a Home...Finally

In 1961, the Pine Street Library was built, and a cornerstone with a time capsule was placed in the new building which bordered Converse Heights.

In 1997, the Headquarters Library opened, and the time capsule (a lead box - 18 inches tall, 12 inches wide and about 6 inches deep) went to the local history vault. For ten years the box sat in the corner of the vault.

In December 1999, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal wrote a story on time capsules in preparation for Y2K. In the article it was revealed that the time capsule from the Library was one of three dedicated on the same day in 1961. City Hall and the Courthouse were also dedicated on that day.

What is in the time capsule? Reportedly, an "authorized version" of the King James Bible, coins, newspaper and various other items.

The time capsule is supposed to stay sealed until 2061. In the meantime, the box will sit inside the wall of the atrium adjacent to the snack bar which is under renovation.