Throughout June, Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is honoring Cynthia Graham Hurd, who was a librarian who worked at CCPL for 31 years and was among the nine murdered inside Mother Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015. Programs will be hosted throughout the month in her tribute. Cynthia is remembered by her colleagues for her kindness and dedication to literacy. While working at CCPL, Cynthia shared her expertise and skills with students at the College of Charleston, taking a part-time position at the college’s Addlestone Library in the 1990’s. She was the longest-serving part-time librarian at the college. Cynthia’s influence reached beyond the library through activities in several community organizations. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., served on the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston’s board, was active in Mother Emanuel AME Church, and spent time helping the community’s residents through outreach efforts and service with other local groups.
In her honor during the month of her birthday (June 21st) and the anniversary of her death, CCPL staff and librarians have curated a list of recommended titles centered on gratitude and inspired by Cynthia's kindness. All of these books are available in the library catalog for check out. Library staff across the system will also be dedicating all public programs to Cynthia on her birthday.
Other programs and tributes include:
Cynthia Graham Hurd Memorial Exhibit
June 1-June 30 during library operating hours
Main Library, 68 Calhoun Street
View photos that document Librarian Cynthia Graham Hurd's 31-year career with CCPL and the legacy she created through the lives she touched in the Charleston community and around the country. Select materials concerning Mother Emanuel AME Church and the Emanuel 9 will also be on display in the lobby.
Open Community Discussion: Gratitude
Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m.
Cynthia Graham Hurd/St. Andrews Library, 1735 N. Woodmere Drive
In honor of Cynthia Graham Hurd's birthday, join us for a panel discussion on the importance of gratitude and kindness. Panelists will include Cynthia Graham Hurd's family members, poet Marcus Amaker, and CCPL staff. The discussion will be followed by questions and answers from the community.
Portrait Exhibit: Cynthia Graham Hurd
Ongoing
Cynthia Graham Hurd/St. Andrews Library, 1735 N. Woodmere Drive
The public is invited to view the portrait of Cynthia Graham Hurd that is displayed at the branch that is named after her. Hurd was manager of the location at the time of her death. The portrait was commissioned in 2018 and was funded by the Charleston Friends of the Library. The Charleston Friends of the Library, a nonprofit volunteer organization, raises money through book sales to help fund Library services, equipment, training, materials and public programming. The Friends collect and sort donated books for resale to raise money. Visit their website at http://www.charlestonlibraryfriends.org/.
Stay tuned for more programs that will be announced soon.