Programs
Attendance & Behavioral Expectations
While all Library programs are open to the public, some programs—like those tailored to the
interests and developmental needs of children and teens—may be created with specific audiences in
mind.
• All programs have the intended age range clearly indicated in all promotional materials.
• The Library uses the child’s age on the day of the particular program as the basis for whether
that child may attend.
• Adults must be accompanied by a child in the advertised age range to participate in a
program intended exclusively for children.
• Programs for tweens and teens are exclusively for them, unless they need an adult
companion or assistant.
• Programs for adults are promoted as Ages 18+ and may not be suitable for anyone under
the age of 18.
• Media selection for programs will not be restricted by the possibility that the media may be
viewed by an unintended audience.
• Parents and guardians are responsible for their own minor children’s use of the Library at all
times and must follow the Library’s Safe Child Policy.
• Due to the potential for food allergies, outside food is not permitted in Library programs.
• The Library’s Patron Behavior Policy applies to all Library program attendees.
Access
Every effort will be made to provide space for everyone who wants to attend a program. Attendance
may be restricted, though, if safety, expense, or program success demand it. Admission will be
decided on a first-come, first-served basis—either through advanced registration or at the door.
• For programs requiring advanced registration, the Library will hold a patron’s spot for the
first 5 minutes of the program, after which the spot can be given to another patron.
• In cases of the same program being offered at multiple branches, patrons should only
register/attend the program at one location. The Library reserves the right to deny
admission in cases of duplicate registration/attendance.
• A program will never be restricted due to its potentially contentious nature.
• Anyone who disrupts the audience or the program facilitator, or who violates Library policy,
may be denied admission or asked to leave the program.
Youth Services and STEM Programming Breaks
In order to provide outreach to Dorchester County schools and continuing education to
programming staff members, the Library recognizes the following breaks in the schedule for youth
and STEM programs:
• The first two full weeks of January (Saturday-Friday)
• May
• August
The Library will alleviate the impact of these breaks through the delivery of passive programs
scheduled during the most popular program time slots.
Cancellations
There are several reasons why programs might be canceled, such as bad weather, the presenter’s
absence, or low registration. Programs that are canceled do not always get rescheduled. Program
cancellations will, whenever feasible, be announced in advance on the Library’s online events
calendar, social media, and through other suitable channels of communication.
DCL WINTER READING 2025 – 2026
December 1st – January 31st
All ages are welcome to participate!
REGISTRATION BEGINS Monday, December 1st
Sign up at any of our locations to pick up a BINGO card!
- You can also download a BINGO card here.
How to Play (Ages 11 & Under):
– Fill in 1 space for every reading activity you complete (one per day). Redeem for a free book when you complete a black out (all spaces filled). All cards must be returned to your library by Sunday, February 15th to be eligible for a Grand Prize!
How to Play (Ages 12+):
– Fill in 1 space for every reading activity you complete (one per day). Redeem for a free book when you complete two BINGOs (5 spaces in a row for each BINGO). All cards must be returned to your library by Sunday, February 15th to be eligible for a Grand Prize!
Dorchester County Library is partnering with Trident United Way, Berkeley County Library System, and Charleston County Public Library to promote reading to ages birth to five and improve regional literacy gaps.
- During birth to 5 age range, 90% of a child’s brain development occurs.
- 57% of Tri-County children are deemed “not ready” when starting Kindergarten.
- More than half of Tri-County third graders are not reading at grade level.
- This partnership aims to impact Tri-County children’s literacy skills beginning from birth on to the years they walk into Kindergarten so we may also impact the future skill base of our Tri-County workforce.
STEP 1:
Sign-up for this ongoing program anytime you visit the Library.
Register your child at any Dorchester County Library location or online here to get a free bag, bookmark, and book.
Keep track of the books you read with reading logs, or online with Beanstack (also available on the App Store & Google Play) and on the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” App.
*If you previously used Survey Monkey and want to continue logging online, then please register for Beanstack. No worries though, your progress isn’t lost! Just log the number of books your child has already completed in Beanstack and continue from there (Note: Beanstack limits the number of books you can log at a time to 100, but you can just log back-to-back until you’re caught up).
Receive a sticker for every 100 books you read.
Receive a goodie bag with literacy-based activities for completing 500 books,
Let us know when you get to 1000 books for your certificate and free book!
STEP 2:
Visit the Trident United Way’s Tri-County Read United page to register for more information and resources!
View and register for Winter Programming online through our new LibCal calendars below!
System-Wide DCL Event Calendar
Ashley River Branch Event Calendar
North Charleston Branch Event Calendar
St. George Branch Event Calendar