462-Year-Old Beaufort County town opens first public library

PORT ROYAL, S.C. (WSAV)—This week, the town of Port Royal, a historic Beaufort County community dating back 462 years, celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its very first public library.

The library, which had its soft opening on Wednesday, is already attracting many residents who are eager to explore the new facility. Port Royal is surpassing over 16,000 residents and is embracing the library as a hub for learning and community engagement.

“What makes it special is that it’s in the heart of a thriving community, and it is going to be a place where people feel safe and heard and seen and valued,” Beaufort County Library Director, Amanda Dickman said.

Inside, visitors can find a wide selection of books and movies, along with free Wi-Fi, public computers, a fax and scan machine, a meeting room and a study room. These amenities are designed to cater to the diverse needs of the growing community.

“To me, what makes this library special is that it’s a place for community,” Dickman said. “It’s a place for kids. It’s a place for adults. It’s a place where you just get to be, to find your interest, to find your next adventure, whether it be reading or on the web or otherwise.”

The library will officially celebrate its grand opening tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 24 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a story-time event and refreshments.