•  Poe/Sullivan's Island •
March 2025
 
BREAKING NEWS:
Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will open the renovated Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan’s Island Library (Poe Library), located at 1921 Ion Ave., on Tuesday, March 25. The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. at the branch.
 
The Poe Library closed in August of 2024 to undergo renovations as part of the ongoing $108.5 million referendum-funded project passed by Charleston County voters in 2014 to build five new libraries and renovate all existing branches. Updates included new paint and furniture, refreshed restrooms with new flooring, upgraded IT systems, and infrastructure improvements to HVAC and electrical. Designs for the renovations were created by Liollio Architecture. The ribbon cutting ceremony will include speakers from the library and Charleston County Government, as well as elected officials. In addition to the ribbon cutting, patrons will have the opportunity to meet the branch staff, take pictures with CCPL’s mascot Owlbert, explore the branch, and more. For more information about the Poe Library and other library branches around Charleston County, visit ccpl.org/branches.
 
About the Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan’s Island Library:
Since March 1977, the Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan's Island Library has been uniquely housed in renovated Battery Gadsden, a former Spanish-American War four-gun battery. Previously, the library had been in the Sullivan's Island Elementary School building and then in the Township Building. The library is named for author Edgar Allan Poe, who was stationed on Sullivan's Island as a private in the United States Army in 1827 and 1828, and who used the island setting as the background for his famous story, "The Gold Bug." Battery Gadsden was named for Colonel James Gadsden of South Carolina, who had served as an engineer officer during the War of 1812 and later as inspector general. The walls of the Battery are two feet thick, a solid protection for the 15,000 books in the 2,000 sq. ft. library. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 1974.
 
 
Programs while we wait to reopen...
POE-etry Critique Group
Wednesday, March 12 at 1:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 2 at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library, 1400 Carolina Park Blvd. 
Gather with fellow poets to share and improve your work. Bring six copies of one or two poems to share with fellow poets (limit 2-3 pages)
 
 
Beach Lovers Book Club 
Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m.in Creative Studio 1 at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library, 1400 Carolina Park Blvd. Our book for March is "Table for Two: Stories" by Amor Towles. Available in regular book format, large print, and ebook and audiobook on Libby. 
 
Reserve a copy by clicking here.
 
American Mah Jongg enthusiasts can play on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library. Our teacher Barb Lassiter hosts MJ groups at the Sullivan's Island Baptist Church most Thursdays (email barb.caller@gmail.com for details). The Mount Pleasant Senior Center and the Island of Palms Recreation Center also host American Mah Jongg activities. Some membership fees may apply, so be sure to inquire. 
Questions?  Email poe@ccpl.org!
Programs when we reopen...
Family Storytime
Tuesday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. at POE!
Packed full of opportunities for kids to practice their early literacy skills, you will enjoy interactive books, songs, and rhymes designed to strengthen your child’s reading readiness. Learn developmentally-appropriate activities to use at home and on the go. Designed for anyone from birth to age 5 and their caregivers, and older siblings are welcome!
 
Memoir Writing Circle Story Share
Tuesday, March 25 at 1 p.m. at POE!
A reunion of our scattered memoir writers to share something they have written since August. Our regular Memoir Writing Group will return in April!
 
POE-etry Critique Group
Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. at POE! 
Gather with fellow poets to share and improve your work. Bring six copies of one or two poems to share with fellow poets (limit 2-3 pages)
 
American Mah Jongg
Thursday, March 27 at POE! Beginners 12-2 p.m. ~ Experienced players 4-6 p.m.
ome and play the fast-paced fun game of American Mah Jongg.  If you have a 2024 NMJL card, please bring it.
 
   
TAX HELP
Area residents can receive free help with their taxes at several Charleston County Public Library branches through a project coordinated with various community partners, VITA, and AARP. Visit www.ccpl.org/taxhelp for more information.
 
 
Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan's Island Library
1921 I'on Avenue
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina 29482
843-883-3914
ccpl.org