CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Bees Ferry West Ashley Library is now open! The new library opened its doors to the public for the first time on Monday, Nov. 2 at 3035 Sanders Road in Charleston.
The 20,000-square-foot library has many exciting features for all ages. As you enter the building, one of the first things you will notice is the wall of windows. Through the windows you can clearly see the outdoor scenery, including a reading porch and wetland preserve. The branch also has a Creative Studio filled with craft supplies, a Learning Lab with computers and technology classes, a storytime room, designated teen area, and meeting spaces. The branch is conveniently located next door to C.E. Williams Middle School and West Ashley High School.
Another resource always available at the library is the skillset of the talented branch staff. Whether you are looking for your next favorite book, technology help, or have a research question, the staff is eager and ready to assist. You may recognize some friendly faces from other branches in the CCPL family, but one new employee is Branch Manager Britni Cherrington.
Britni spent most of her career in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system. One of her first jobs was working with CCPL's current Executive Director, Angela Craig.
"I was really kind of learning what public libraries are all about because initially it was like, oh I love reading and I love books. And while that is a big part of what we do, it's not. It's about the people, it's about the community, the services that we offer, just kind of making a difference. And that's really what I found in that library and working with Angela," she said.
Britni lived in the Charleston area briefly a few years ago. She says a love of Charleston and the prospect of working with Angela again were the catalysts for applying for the Branch Manager job.
"I'd had my eye on the library system for a while because when I was here before, the referendum had just passed to build all the new libraries. So I was really interested in seeing what was going to be happening with the system. I kept tabs on it throughout the years and at some point, I was hoping to be able to come back and come into the system," she said. "Once I saw Angela Craig had become the director I was like, 'Oh, now's the time!'"
Throughout her career, Britni found her passion was working with teens.
"We had so many teens in that building because we were right across from a high school. So it was just a really neat opportunity to give the kids that came in the opportunity to be involved in volunteer work, or our programs. It gave them a safe space to be after school. I loved that job, I loved everything about it," she said, describing her previous position in Charlotte.
Bees Ferry West Ashley is also near two schools, C.E. Williams Middle and West Ashley High. Britni's prior work experience has prepared her for the needs of the afterschool crowd.
"We have seen kids just kind of hanging around. So we might end up being a hangout space for them, which would be wonderful for them to be able to come in here. With our teen room and all of the stuff we are going to be able to offer them, I think we are going to end up being a very well utilized space," she said.
In her free time, Britni enjoys being creative and crafty. She says some of her projects include painting, drawing, and making jewelry. This hobby may spill over into work once the Bees Ferry Creative Studio is available.
"I have already been over there looking and talking with Deborah, our librarian who's in charge of that space, about all of the cool things we can do in there. I've already told her if she wants to use me for any kind of program that I'll be there to do it," she said.
The Bees Ferry West Ashley branch is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.. To contact the branch, call 843-805-6892. Some features of this library may be currently unavailable due to safety precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out the Virtual Ribbon Cutting and take a tour of the library with Branch Manager Britni Cherrington, here.