More Than Just Books
If you’ve driven down West Main Street, you’ve likely passed it—the glass-fronted Taylors Library with views of Glassy Mountain. But behind those windows is more than shelves of books. It’s a hub for learning, gathering, and building community.
The Greenville Library system began in 1921 in a small shop room on East Coffee Street with just 500 books. Today, it has grown into a countywide system with twelve branches, a bookmobile, and a thirteenth library opening in Blue Ridge this fall.
The Taylors branch joined the system in 1973, opening in a storefront on Wade Hampton Boulevard across from the fire department. For over 30 years, that modest space served local readers before the branch moved to its current 11,000-square-foot building in January 2005—more than doubling its capacity for patrons, programs, and materials.
More Than Just Reading
The Taylors Library employs 12 staff members, in addition to some loyal volunteers. Together, they offer far more than most people expect from a library.
Every month they host children’s story times, Third Thursday Theatre which presents and discusses notable films, along with a myriad of other events. Their most notable ones include Burns Night Dinner which served haggis shipped from Scotland, afternoon tea, numerous programs with the Greenville Master Gardeners, presentations by local authors.
With a library card, patrons also have access to free e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines; interlibrary loans from across the country; and even financial counseling through a partnership with the Greenville Financial Empowerment Center. Free scanning, Wi-Fi, and printing make it just as much a resource for professionals and students as for families.
A Space for Community
Along its tall glass walls are study tables with mountain views as well as meeting rooms that are regularly used for everything from study groups to neighborhood HOA gatherings. In a fast-growing area like Taylors, the library has become a steady gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Looking Ahead
The Taylors branch continues to fill its calendar with creative programs. “Third Thursday Theatre,” led by film historian Chip Kaufmann, recently celebrated its third anniversary. Coming this fall are a jigsaw puzzle swap in September, a craft supply swap in October, and a mix of workshops from creative lettering to beginner Hong Kong–style Mahjong. Legal and financial talks, hospice education, and hands-on crafting sessions round out a busy lineup. Registrations can be made online at greenvillelibrary.org/events, by phone, or in person.
So the next time you drive by, stop in, grab a seat by the window, and discover all the ways your library continues to grow with Taylors.
