Wild Thing, I think we love you 💘

Richland Library Main celebrates 30 years on Assembly Street

wild thing.jpeg — David Warren, Captain Telegram, and Wild Thing celebrate the Main Library grand opening. | Photo via Richland Library Digital Archives

February 14, aka Valentine’s Day, is an extra special day for Richland County Library. On this day in 1989, Richland County voters overwhelmingly passed a bond referendum to build a new location.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held two years later to the day, and in 1993, the ribbon was cut, opening the new 242,000-sqft Main location.

📚 Quick History of the Library

Colonial South Carolina passed its first Library Law in 1700 and later formed the Charleston Library Society (in the former capital city of Charleston) — one of the first in North America.
In 1786, the capital moved to the more centrally located village of Columbia, and the Columbia Library Society formed and flourished.
On Feb. 17, 1865, General Sherman and his troops destroyed the Columbia Athenium library, which was located at the corner of Richardson (now Main Street) and Washington Streets.
In 1896, the Lend-A-Hand Library was established on the first floor of City Hall.
Three years later, that library burned down, but was rebuilt and renamed the Columbia Public Library (1924) and moved to a new spot on Main Street.
In 1930, the library offered its first “traveling library” — a bookmobile that made its way around Richland County.
From 1961 to 1985, the library spread across the county, opening branches in Forest Acres, St. Andrews, Eastover, and the Northeast Branch.
On Feb. 14, 1993, the ribbon was cut, and welcomed guests at the state-of-the-art library located at the corner of Assembly and Hampton Streets. Like a fine wine, this current location only gets better with time.

We are the wild things.jpeg — Children carry a “We Are the Wild Things” banner down Hampton Street to the grand opening ceremony. | Photo via Richland Library Digital Archives

Today, the Richland Library system has 13 modern locations and offers a variety of resources and events that serve the community.

Share your favorite memories from Richland Library Main on social media and tag them using #LoveYourLibrary and #AccessFreely.

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

University of South Carolina Gamecocks Men’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Men’s Basketball | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $12-$55 | The men’s team looks to win two straight after defeating Ole Miss on the road last weekend.
Kokedama Themed Valentine’s Day | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $40 | Classes will include a basic introduction and demonstration on forming your Kokedama.
Amore Under the Stars | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $80 | Celebrate Valentine’s Day at this exclusive after-hours event, featuring an evening champagne bar, stargazing, romantic gallery tours, live music, food + more.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Univ of South Carolina Gamecocks Softball vs. College of Charleston Softball | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. | Carolina Softball Stadium At Beckham Field, 1318 Heyward St., Columbia | $7 | Come cheer on the Gamecocks in their home opener.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Columbia Boat Show | Friday, Feb. 17-Saturday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $10 | After a two-year hiatus, Columbia’s Boat Show is coming back.
Daddy’s Beemer, Homemade Haircuts, Tripping on Bricks, Twin Toasters | Friday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. West, Columbia | $12-$15 | Charleston-based indie rock act Daddy’s Beemer is on tour supporting their latest album.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

69º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain

Development

West Columbia plans to invest $3.5 million of its pandemic recovery funds into road improvements on Meeting Street, one of the main corridors to Columbia. The city hopes to create a walkable retail district with slower traffic, improved pedestrian safety, and new landscaping. (The Post and Courier)

Edu

USC received over 46,000 applications for the upcoming school year. The university credits recruitment, improved reputation, and improved quality of learning for the record-setting number. Over the last 20 years, the incoming freshman class size has doubled. 🎓 (The State)

Number

18,000. That’s how many FAMs showed up on Sunday to watch the Gamecock’s Women’s Basketball team defeat No. 3 LSU, 88-64. The rowdy sell-out crowd shook the Tiger’s nerves early, as the Gamecocks jumped out to an 18-2 start and never looked back. 🏀 (WIS)

Drink

Show a friend you care about them a latte. Drip in Five Points is offering buy one, get one free today on coffee or espresso drinks to celebrate “friendship day.” Both parties must be present, so if you’re solo, surprise someone in line. ☕️

The Word

WATCHMAN device. A stroke-reducing device that offers at-risk patients an alternative to blood-thinning medications. MUSC Health recently celebrated performing their 400th WATCHMAN device implant. Are you an AFib patient using blood-thinners? Learn about this alternative option.*

Plan Ahead

AllSouth Federal Credit Union is hosting its annual Soldiers & Vets Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Transitions Homeless Center on Thursday, May 18. Early bird registrations are open through March 31 for the event held at Golden Hills Golf and Country Club in Lexington. ⛳️

Health

DYK the companionship of a dog benefits your heart health? That’s why Lexington Medical Center is hosting a “therapy dog stress break” today from 2-4 p.m. inside the North Tower Atrium. Visitors and staff are invited to spend time with certified therapy dogs. The free event is open to the public. 🐶 (ABC Columbia)

Shop

What’s getting us through February: Our humidifiers. We love the Levoit Blue Cool Humidifier for its quiet design, multiple mist levels, and how easy it is to clean. Do your skin (not to mention, your houseplants) a favor and up your home hydration.*

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A love letter to Cola for Valentine’s Day

A love letter to Columbia, SC for Valentine’s Day

The view of the Gervais Street Bridge while walking on the West Columbia Riverwalk. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Last year, over 50 of your fellow Soda Citizens wrote in and told us what they loved the most about Columbia.

With so many great suggestions, we agree that some of the best qualities are:

🐼 “Riverbanks Zoo” — @joypagerodgers

📻 “The USC community (and all the great radio stations here)” — @wuscfm

🏞 “Our rivers " — @eatmonfa

🏔 “Only a few hours to the beach and/or mountains!” — Maria T.

☀️ “It keeps progressing as a livable, desirable, and great place to live” — Ann W.

45 MORE REASONS YOU LOVE COLA

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: "Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak was my favorite book as a child, so of course, I asked if the Wild Thing costume is still in commission. I was told that it is. It’s very delicate and, by chance, down the street at the State Museum.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get ideas for last-minute Valentine’s Day plans, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith | Advertise with us.

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