Cooper River Memorial Library
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This Month's Can't Miss Event
Community Poetry Slam
Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m.
Enjoy original or published poetry presented by library patrons. All are welcome to attend!
Driving Directions
From Downtown:
Take I-26 West. Get off at the Cosgrove Road Exit 216B. From Cosgrove Road, turn left on Rivers Avenue. Turn left at the first light, Dorchester Road. The Library is on the corner of Dorchester and Rivers; parking is in the rear of the building.
From Moncks Corner and the North area:
Take Hwy. 52 to Rivers Avenue. Follow Rivers Avenue to Dorchester Road. Make a right at Dorchester. The Library will be on the corner and parking is in the rear of the building.
From Folly Beach and James Island:
Take Folly Road to the James Island Connector (Hwy. 30). Follow signs to Charleston. Exit to West Lockwood Drive. Turn right toward Hwy. 17 North and take it to I-26 West. Exit off I-26 at exit 216B, then take Cosgrove to Rivers Avenue. Turn left on Rivers Avenue, then another left at the light at Dorchester Road. The Library is on the corner with parking in the rear of the building.
From West Ashley:
Take Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (Hwy. 7) North - it will become Cosgrove Road when you cross the Ashley River. At the intersection of Cosgrove and Rivers Avenue, turn left onto Rivers. Turn left at the first light, Dorchester Road. The Library is on the corner with parking in the rear.
From Mt. Pleasant:
Take Hwy. 17 North to I-526 West. From I-526, take I-26 East toward Charleston. Get off at the Dorchester Road exit. Make a left at the light, drive under the overpass. Keep going straight and just before you reach the end of Dorchester Road the Library and parking aread will be on the left (at the corner of Dorchester and Rivers).
From Summerville:
Take Hwy. 17A to I-26, exit at Cosgrove Road Exit 216B. From Cosgrove, turn left on Rivers Avenue. Turn left at the first light, Dorchester Road. The Library is on the corner with parking in the rear of the building.
Cooper River Memorial Contact Info
Address:
3503 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 843-744-2489
Branch Manager:
Rick Pelletier
Hours of operation:
Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Services
Wi-Fi available? Yes
Public Internet / MS Office workstations? Yes
Color copying and printing? Yes, $0.25 per page
Black & white copying and printing? Yes, $0.10 per page
Public scanner? Yes
Fax machine? No
Public meeting rooms available? No
Public Notary? Available by appointment
History
The Cooper River Memorial Library is truly a community-originated and -oriented library branch. The idea of a library building in North Charleston as a memorial to World War II veterans was conceived by a North Area resident and presented to the Suburban Junior Chamber of Commerce in March 1946. The Jaycees accepted the idea with enthusiasm. A planning committee was formed and soon afterward approached the Board of the Charleston County Public Library with a proposal. The Jaycees sought to raise funds for a library building, equipment, books and land through public subscription, with the facility operated as a part of the County Public Library System. The Board met the proposal with enthusiasm and agreed to cooperate fully.
Every organization in the District and many others in the Charleston Community endorsed the Library project as presented by the Jaycees. Many individual citizens took part in the drive for funds, contributing both time and money. A house-to-house canvas and an automobile raffle were among the many money-raising projects undertaken in this outstanding community effort. Funds were also obtained from the Charleston County Legislative Delegation. Incorporation in June 1947 was quickly followed by ground breaking in January 1948 and the new building was opened for service on December 29, 1948. The library continued to grow and build its collection. In 1973, Charleston County Council approved a fifty percent enlargement in building size for the Cooper River Memorial Library and the Cooper River District memorial Library association deeded the property to the County of Charleston.
The building has undergone renovations several times, including new windows and carpet, roof repair and other cosmetic and maintenance improvements. With the closing of the nearby Naval Base, the branch is finding new roles serving this North Charleston community.