Main Branch
November 2025
 We have a lot of exciting events planned this month! Check out a selection of program highlights below and scroll down to access the full calendar of free events for all ages.
Featured Programs
Gallery Night
Charleston in Bloom:
The Art of the Poinsettia
By
Jonathan Green and Others
Saturday, November 1
2-5 p.m.
 
Presented in conjunction with The Charleston Literary Festival, this World Premiere exhibition featuring acclaimed, international artist, Jonathan Green and friends, accompanies the book Flowers, Guns, and Money: Joel Roberts Poinsett and the Paradoxes of American Patriotism by Lindsay Schakenbach Regele. The Artists will reimagine the poinsettia—Euphorbia pulcherrima—as a symbol of cross-cultural exchange and Charleston’s global botanical legacy.
The exhibit also explores the powerful connection between Joel Roberts Poinsett and civil rights leader Septima Poinsette Clark, linked through Peter Poinsette, whose life bridges Charleston’s intertwined histories of enslavement, education, and civic transformation.
 
Elevator Pitch Workshop by RezRev
Wednesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 19
5-6 p.m.
 
Want to land your next job opportunity with confidence?
Join us to learn how to: 
 
*Craft a compelling elevator pitch
*Introduce yourself with impact
*Stand out in job interviews
*Network more effectively
 
Perfect for job seekers, career changers, or anyone ready to take the next step!
 
Finding Family:
Most Common Genealogical Resources
Wednesday, November 5
6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
Curious about your family's history? Join us to learn about the most effective ways to start your research! Hosted by our very own South Carolina Room experts, they'll give you the lowdown on where to begin, the best resources, strategies for people of diverse backgrounds, common mistakes, and much more.
 
Tech Team Help Lab
Thursday, November 6
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Monday, November 10
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 20 
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
 
Do you need a little help with your new laptop, phone, or tablet? Would you like to see some popular laptop and tablet options before making a purchase? Drop in and see a Tech Team member for assistance with your own device.  First come, first served in the second-floor tech classroom!
 
Turntable Thursday
Thursday, November 6
6-7 p.m.
 
Bring your favorite album to share a song, artist or story about the music in your life.
 
 Creative Writing Space: 
Quiet Hour
Thursday, November 6
Thursday, November 13
Thursday, November 20
6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
Need a quiet space to write? Join us at the Main Library! We will spend some time writing from prompts or work on your own creative writing projects!  
 
November in My Soul, Chowder in My Bowl
Friday, November 7
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in our souls we crave a nice hearty bowl of clam chowder. Join us as we make a time-period accurate recipe for clam chowder, using the ingredients mentioned in the chapter "Chowder" of Moby Dick. We will also be discussing Herman Melville, Moby Dick, the history of whaling, and its importance in the 19th Century. Registrants will be able to try the chowder at the end of the class if they would like!
Common allergens present during this class include dairy, wheat/gluten, and shellfish (mollusk only, no crustacea). This dish also features the use of pork fat. Please note that some products may be manufactured in facilities that process other allergens. Special accommodations and substitutions can be made, but please notify us ahead of time! If you have any additional allergy or dietary concerns, please contact us at askaquestion@ccpl.org or 843-805-6930 for more detailed information and we will try to accommodate your needs.
 
Podcast Essentials for Beginners
Friday, November 7
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
Learn the essentials to starting your own podcast. Understand microphones, software and distribution. Learn to build your own home studio or use the studios and software provided by our Charleston county branches. Presented by our Digital Studio & Multimedia Production Coordinator, Julian, and Lindsay from the Tech Team!
This program will be held in our 2nd floor classroom. Parking is free under the library for the first hour, and $1 for every additional 30 minutes after that. 
 
Stroke Prevention and Recovery with Jennifaye Brown 
Saturday, November 8
11 a.m.- 12 p.m.
 
Dr. Jennifaye Brown will share information on stroke prevention and recovery, including guidance on how patients and their caregivers can communicate with their medical care team to improve outcomes after a stroke.
 
Labyrinth  by David Bowie
Cinema Saturday
Saturday, November 8
1:30-3:30 p.m.
 
Enjoy a cult classic over the weekend and watch Jim Henson's Labyrinth, showing in the Main Library auditorium!
 
 
Lowcountry Stargazers:
Wonders of the South Carolina Night Sky
Monday, November 10
6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
Join us at the Main Library for a special astronomy presentation from the Lowcountry Stargazers! Learn to navigate constellations, planets, and tips for skywatching with the naked eye or telescope. Discover seasonal highlights, deep-sky objects, and the Lowcountry conditions that make stargazing special. Suitable for all ages and experience levels.
 
Best American short stories 2024 : selected from U.S. and Canadian magazines by Lauren Groff
Short Fiction Book Discussion 
Wednesday, November 12
6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
Join us for a discussion series on selections from The Best American Short Stories 2024, edited by Lauren Groff. This program will also be streamed live on Microsoft Teams. Register below and a Teams event will be shared with you. If you would like to join through Teams, and registration is full, please register anyway.
 
Google Sheets Made Easy
Thursday, November 13
2-3 p.m.
 
Join the CCPL Tech Team as we present a "beginner-friendly" program designed to help you master the basics of Google Sheets! We'll cover a range of topics, from basic navigation, and other various functions and features. This program will be held in the 2nd floor tech classroom. 
Parking is available under the library! The first hour is free; $1 for every 30 minutes after that.
 
Flowers, guns, and money : Joel Roberts Poinsett and the paradoxes of American patriotism by Lindsay Schakenbach Regele
Book Talk:
Flower, Guns, and Money
by 
Lindsay Schakenburg Regele
Saturday, November 15
11 a.m-12 p.m.
 
Join us for a discussion on Flowers, Guns, and Money: Joel Roberts Poinsett and the Paradoxes of American Patriotism by Lindsay Schakenbach Regele.
 
An artist's life : unlocking creative expression by Mary Whyte
Author Talk and Book Signing with Mary Whyte
Monday, November 17
4:30-5:30 p.m.
 
Join us for an author-artist talk with local icon Mary Whyte! During her fifty years as an artist and teacher, Mary Whyte has discovered that tapping into our personal well of creativity and passion is the most important lesson—much more so than how to paint an eye, clouds, or steam. In An Artist's Life, Whyte guides art makers and art lovers past stifling obstacles and self-doubts to see the world with fresh eyes and create their most original and expressive work.
 
About the Author: Mary Whyte is an internationally recognized watercolor artist and author of numerous books, including We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America. She has been awarded the Portrait Society of America's Gold Medal and the National Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor. She lives near Charleston, South Carolina.
 
The Polished Line:
A Poetry & Publishing Workshop with CofC professor, poet, & editor
Emily Rosko 
Tuesday, November 18
6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
This workshop is designed for poets seeking to elevate their craft and navigate the path to publication. Participants will learn techniques for revising their poems, from line-level edits to structural changes. The second half of the workshop will introduce the publishing process, covering how to research literary journals, format submissions, and write effective cover letters. Participants will need to bring a draft of one poem with them.
 
 Reality Rift: Introduction to Virtual Reality
Wednesday, November 19
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
We will discuss the basics of virtual reality and try it out for ourselves.
 
Why we die : the new science of aging and the quest for immortality by Venki Ramakrishnan
Science Friday Book Club
Friday, November 21
2-3:30 p.m.
 
Charleston County Public Library is proud to partner with the Science Friday podcast to host the Science Friday Book Club! Please join us in person where we will discuss Venki Ramakrishnan's Why We Die.
The following is a description of the book by the publisher:
The knowledge of death is so terrifying that we live most of our lives in denial of it. One of the most difficult moments of childhood must be when each of us first realizes that not only we but all our loved ones will die—and there is nothing we can do about it. Or at least, there hasn’t been. Today, we are living through a revolution in biology. Giant strides are being made in understanding why we age—and why some species live longer than others. Could we eventually cheat disease and death and live for a very long time, possibly many times our current lifespan?
Visit the SciFri website to learn more: https://www.sciencefriday.com/scifri-book-club/
 
 Charleston Center: Safe Medication Disposal 
Friday, November 21
4-6 p.m.
 
 
Home Safe Home:
A Guide on Picking the Right Security System
Tuesday, November 25
2-3 p.m.
 
We will be discussing self-monitored and easy to set up home security systems like SimpliSafe, Ring, Abode, Arlo!
 
 
 
 
Staff Picks
Books
 
Kathy's Pick
Loneliness & Company : a novel by Charlee Dyroff
Loneliness & Company
by
Charlee Dyroff 
 
Lee, a high-achieving young woman, is assigned to a nondescript company whose secret mission is to develop an AI “friend” named Vicky to help people who suffer from loneliness. Lee’s work involves collecting data: observing interactions and pushing herself into new social experiences. 
This debut novel poses provocative questions about connection, identity, and what it means to be human in a technocentric future. It both critiques the present and imagines something unsettling but plausible. 
Available in our catalog.
Movies/T.V.
 
Houston's Pick
Everything everywhere all at once  by Stephanie Hsu
Everything, Everywhere All at Once
Starring 
Michelle Yeoh

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a genre-bending sci-fi adventure that follows Evelyn Wang, a weary laundromat owner, who discovers she must connect with alternate versions of herself across the multiverse to stop a powerful force threatening existence. As she navigates chaotic realities, she confronts fractured relationships, especially with her daughter, and learns the power of empathy and acceptance. The film blends absurdist humor, martial arts, and emotional depth to explore identity, purpose, and the infinite possibilities of life. 
Available in our catalog.
 Looking for more to do? View the complete calendar of events.
(link to your branch-specific online calendar on this page:
https://www.ccpl.org/branches)
Main Branch : 68 Calhoun Street I 843-805-6930
Main Library
68 Calhoun Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
843-805-6930

ccpl.org