Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

Rantin: Library honors youth volunteers

The Richland County Public Library recently honored its top youth volunteers for their service to the library system this past year.

Jared Whiting and Nina Shelley, both home-schooled, were presented The President’s Volunteer Service Award, an initiative of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

The library recognized several elementary and middle school students as 2009 Junior Summer Spotlight Volunteers.

This year’s spotlight volunteers and their branches include Elizabeth Thompson, The Link; Clyde Lemoine, Blythewood; Elizabeth Cote, Cooper; Hannah Carino, Eastover; and Rose Dubard, Children’s Room, Main Library.

Rounding out this year’s junior spotlight volunteers are Arthur Wright, North Main; Valerie Hinsch, Northeast Regional; Meaghan Law, Sandhills; Taylor Doggett, Southeast Regional; Lauren Thomason, St. Andrews Regional; and Jeremy Smith, Wheatley.

Eight high school students were named 2009 Teen Summer Spotlight Volunteers.

They include Elizabeth Henderson, The Link; Laurin Beckroge, Blythewood; William Boccobello, Cooper; Robert Taylor, Eastover; Josephine Fome, Children’s Room, Main Library; Paul Lawrence, Northeast Regional; Trevor Auman, Sandhills; and Olivia Keck, Southeast Regional.

In all, more than 150 junior and teen volunteers were honored during the special recognition event, held early in the month.

The Richland County Public Library relies on volunteers of all ages. Last year, more than 800 adults, teens and children contributed more than 16,000 volunteer hours — valued at more than $250,000.

Want to know more about volunteering? Call (803) 929-3436.

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