The Model Trains are Back, December 14 - 18, 2021 & Holiday Schedule

Maybe we are getting back to "more" normal as the Beaufort Railroaders return Tuesday, December 14 through Saturday, December 18 at the Beaufort Branch with their model train sets for the twenty-eighth time! As frequent readers of this blog are aware, having the model trains during the Christmas Season is one of Beaufort Branch's most anticipated events each year. There are folks who otherwise never darken the Library's doors but who love to come see the model trains. Unfortunately, like most other seasonal activities, COVID-19 mitigation measures prevented us from hosting the group in 2020. Hours for the 2021 Beaufort Railroaders Exhibit are posted on the Library system's calendar.

Beaufort District has quite a history with regards to railroads - so many that I posted a list of materials about local railroads to the BDC's WordPress blog. The "All Aboard! Railroads in Beaufort District and beyond" post begins with a short history and then includes books you can check out or see online for free at your leisure. So even if you cannot make it down to see the exhibit, you can still learn at least a little something about the significant role that railroads played in America's history. (PS: There are a lot of images from our holdings included in the post.) 

As we enter the waning days of 2021, appointment opportunities are limited by staff on duty and the weekdays that the Research Room is open during December. Reservations are probably more important in December than in most other months of the year. Please make the necessary advance arrangements for a research visit by calling the BDC 843-255-6468 or be sending an email to bdc@bcgov.net. Be sure to allow up to 72 hours before getting a response. With a staff of only 1.75 persons and the fulltime person out on FMLA, it may take some time to respond to your requests.  Please note: BDC staff does not monitor business communications when the Library is closed. 

The Christmas holidays are a bit longer than usual due to the days of the week on which Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fall, usual County holiday policies, and the generosity of this County Council who upon the recommendation of the County Administrator gave employees an extra paid holiday this year.  

Thus, the Library will be closed from Thursday, December 23 through Monday, December 27th. Regular services will resume on Tuesday, December 28th, Wednesday, December 29th, and Thursday, December 30th. 

Cassi will be in the Research Room holding appointments, Tuesday, December 28 - Thursday, December 30th according to the arrangements agreed to by BDC staff on or before December 22, 2021. 

Most years the Library closes early on New Year's Eve, but in 2021, New Year's Eve falls on a Saturday. County policy states that holidays falling on a Saturday are observed on a Friday. Thus the BDC Research Room will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022 for New Year's Day.

When we re-open on January 3, 2022, most parts of the Library will have slightly extended hours of service. In the case of the Research Room, our first appointment of the day will begin at 9 AM should our customer want to take advantage of the parking meters being free until 11 AM each day. We'll still have three research slots per day but the first customer will have the option of as much as 3 hours of research time. Our morning customer will be asked which of these three options suit them best: 9 AM to 11 AM or 10 AM to Noon or 9 AM to Noon. That's something we'll discuss when you reach out to make an appointment. Again, please be sure to contact us ahead of time: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net to make it more likely that we can accommodate your preferred date(s) and time(s).