By 
It’s Thursday afternoon and Kittrell Tucker has arrived to pick up an important package. As she waits patiently, people – young and old – bustle around the main floor of the Richland County Public Library – some doing research; others perusing the latest best sellers; still others picking out a video to take home. Among stacks on the floor behind the General Reference Desk is a heavy-duty plastic bag with Kittrell’s name in large black letters. This is what she eagerly awaits. As she receives her package, which appears to contain several thick books, she glances over the syllabus that is stapled to the outside of the bag just below her name. “Ooh,” she coos delightfully. “This is going to be a good one.”
What Kittrell, “Kitty” to her friends, is referring to is one of the hundreds of programs offered by the library…one of the many that she participates in. Kitty explains, “It’s called ‘Let’s Talk About It’ and it is a book discussion series led by a local scholar. This one is entitled ‘Histories and Mysteries’ and will be led by Dr. Rosemary Reisman. She’s one of the best!” The package contains several books that Kitty will read prior to the series starting in early September. Dr. Reisman, a retired professor from Troy State University in Alabama, will lead 25-30 members in a group discussion citing her commentary and provoking lively discussion topics.
Award-winning Programs Abound at Richland Library
The book discussion series is just one of the many award-winning programs at the Richland County Public Library. Other programs include Family Day, story tellers, summer reading clubs for all ages, children’s workshops and puppet shows, an engaging lecture series, book signings, live poetry readings, and art exhibits. Named the 2001 National Library of the Year, Richland County Public Library (RCPL) has achieved local and national recognition for its programs. “Winning the ‘National Library of the Year Award’ is like winning an Academy Award. It is the highest recognition a library can get,” said Helen Anne Rollinson, RCPL’s Deputy Director. Rollinson, who has been with the library for over 20 years, continues, “We are extremely proud and honored by this achievement. We have worked very hard to provide the programs and facilities that earn such a designation.”
Given by The Gale Group, a leading educational publisher, and Library Journal, an independent publication for libraries and library professionals, this award recognizes and rewards the library that most profoundly demonstrates service to the community, creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs, and leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries. A committee decides the recipient by evaluating the nomination package submitted by each library. There are typically 50 nominees each year.
More Than Just a Library Patron
But Kitty is not simply a library patron. She, in fact, helped RCPL achieve national recognition through her years of dedication to the library and Library Sciences. An avid reader as a child, her father encouraged her love of reading by sponsoring “story time” every night after dinner. “We didn’t grow up with a television, so we made our own entertainment. Every night after dinner, my father would read aloud to our family. My sisters and I were lost in the magical stories that he read. I couldn’t get enough of books. On Saturdays, I remember visiting the local library as a child.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Library Sciences
Kitty’s love of books didn’t end with her childhood. A graduate of Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, Kitty worked at the school library while completing her studies. Upon graduation, she took a permanent position. Later, she returned to Columbia and took a brief detour from her library path. But she was still involved with the written word. Kitty elaborates, “I was actually working as a proofreader for a small publishing house.”
In the early 1970s, Kitty went back to school. She earned a dual masters degree in English and Library Sciences from the University of South Carolina. In the late 1970s, Kitty took a job with the RCPL. Because of her contacts with publishers, she was named Acquisitions Librarian. “When I began, we were still a small library located on Sumter Street.” In charge of Acquisitions, Kitty worked with publishers in determining which books and audio/visual supplies would come to the library. She also worked with the Collections Department who actually procured the books.
Kitty was with RCPL for over 15 years when she retired in 1997. “When I came to work for RCPL, I was not initially accepted,” Kitty recalls. “You see, I came from an academic background, so naturally everyone assumed I was…well, a snob…that I only like to read academic books. When I started, part of my job was to tour the different branches and get to know everyone. While visiting the St. Andrews branch, one of the librarians said to me, ‘If you’re gonna get along with us, before you do anything else, you’d better read these.’ I looked down and in her hands were two Barbara Cartland novels. I guess that was my initiation.”
Not only is Kitty an active participant in the library’s programs, she also volunteers for the library in her free time. One program that she has helped in the past is Homeward Bound. “Homeward Bound is an effort to bring library books and resources to shut-ins – folks who can no longer come to the library,” Kitty explains. “It has been a very successful program. I’m fortunate that I can still get out and about…so it only seems fair to help bring that to those who can’t.” Rollinson agrees with Kitty’s assessment. “One of the reasons we’re so successful is our community support. Our Patrons, Volunteers, Administrative Staff – everyone is focused on making this library system the absolute best.”
And being the best includes award-winning programs and services, with offerings that no other library has. One truly unique feature of RCLP is the mural in the children’s library. Mixed among the live trees and the enormous selection of children’s books is a huge mural of “Where the Wild Things Are.” Its use was allowed by special permission of Maurice Sendak – author of the infamous children’s book, and it’s the only time he’s allowed any organization to use the artwork. In addition to the mural and the selection of materials, Rollison notes that the variety of children’s programs ensures that The Children’s Room remains a vibrant part of the library and helps “keep Columbia’s children actively engaged in the joy of reading.”
As Kitty collects her big bag of books and prepares to embark on another literary journey, she pauses and gives us a sly smile. “I have to admit,” she says. “I actually enjoy the library much more now that I’m retired. I get all the benefits without any of the stress.” But in all fairness, Kitty’s not the only one who benefits. With her dedication and continued support of the library, the entire community benefits from Kitty’s lifelong love affair with books.
Author’s Note: Both Kitty and Dr. Rosemary Reisman passed away in 2015; Kitty at the age of 89 and Rosemary at the age of 88. Additionally, Richland County Public Library changed its name to Richland Library and underwent another renovation to preserve its aging infrastructure and reimagine the interior spaces to promote learning, creating, and collaboration. The design was a collaborative effort led by BOUDREAUX and included McMillan Pazdan Smith and Margaret Sullivan Studios and has won three additional awards.
