Chapin Memorial Library

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Contact Information
Email: reference@chapinlibrary.org Website: www.chapinlibrary.org Facebook: CML Facebook page Address: 400 14th Ave North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Telephone: 843-918-1275 Hours of Operation: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs: 9am-7pm; Fri: 9am-6pm; Sat: 9am-5pm  Directions/Parking Map: Directions (Google Map)

Description of Collections
Chapin Memorial Library houses a varied and extensive collection of genealogy materials in the Boone Archives Room. The collection largely focuses on South Carolina, but also contains materials for North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and other surrounding states. Genealogy reference guides (Evidence Explained, Professional Genealogy) are also included in the collection. An index of local obituaries is available dating back to 1915.

Major online subscription databases are also available: Ancestry.com (on-site only) - America's Obituaries & Death Notices (Newsbank.com) - HeritageQuestOnline.com - FamilySearch.org

Services
The reference staff at Chapin Memorial Library is available to help patrons get started with their research. They provide help with locating materials, using equipment (PC's, microfilm readers/printers) and starting basic research.

Chapin Memorial Library offers free guest WiFi service for patrons using their phones, tablets or personal computers. If needed, printing is also available.

Chapin Memorial Library also hosts the Grand Strand Genealogy Club that meets the second Saturday of the month, year round. This group provides regular presentations on a variety of genealogy topics and also offers one-on-one mentoring assistance to individuals just beginning their research or struggling with specific problems.

History
The Chapin Memorial Library is named for Mr. Simeon B. Chapin - a financier, philanthropist, and one of the early developers of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The library originally opened in 1939 at a location on North Kings Highway with 501 books. During World War II, the library relocated to the Chapin Company building as part of the government recreation program for soldiers. In August 1948, the Chapin Foundation provided $40,000 for a library on city park land and an additional $2,000 for landscaping. Chapin Memorial Library opened on June 1, 1949, on the corner of Kings Highway and 14th Avenue North. The current facility has been expanded four times.

The Chapin Memorial Library was the first city-owned library in South Carolina, and is under the jurisdiction of the Recreation Services Department of the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Day-to-day operations are currently managed by the Library Director, Jennifer Nassar.

Tips for Your Visit

 * 1) If you don't have a Chapin Memorial Library card, get one from the Customer Service desk on the first floor when you arrive. Cards are free to residents of Horry County and five surrounding consortium SC counties. Computer only cards are also available for library patrons visiting from out of state.
 * 2) Have a plan for your visit. What specific information would you like to find or what materials will you want to use during your visit.
 * 3) Bring a flash drive/thumb drive to save your research. Flash drives/thumb drives are available for purchase at the Customer Service desk.
 * 4) Bring ear buds or headphones if you plan to listen to tutorials or recorded information. Earbuds are available for purchase at the Customer Service desk.
 * 5) Know your passwords - if you need to access your email account or any electronic services from the library computers.

Guides

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