We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, what do you attribute your success to?
Community Engagement and Volunteer Commitment are the driving forces behind the success of The Open Book Project. Our mission is to raise literacy awareness while inspiring and nurturing the love of reading across the Upstate of South Carolina. We are continuing the work of The Pickens County Literacy Association that spanned over 50 years. We wanted to expand our base and reach out to more communities. While we are located in Pickens County, we also serve Anderson, Oconee, and Greenville counties.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Open Book Project stands out for its innovative approach to sharing literacy awareness. Unlike traditional models, we leverage digital platforms and community-driven initiatives to ensure that knowledge is not just available but engaging and relevant to diverse audiences. We are personally committed to inclusivity and empowerment which permeates every aspect of the work of The Open Book Project.

Our fundraising efforts benefit the communities of Pickens, Anderson, Oconee, and Greenville Counties.

We offer a free community library in front of our building and our used bookstore is open every Wednesday and one Saturday per month. We are completely volunteer driven so the more volunteers we have, the more opportunities we have to open our doors each week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Pickens County Literacy Association for their tireless efforts in raising literacy awareness for the past 50 years. It was their service that inspired the creation of The Open Book Project.

Website: theopenbookprojectsc.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopenbookproject?igsh=NmIwaHVtMHllZnV4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/KYMQgkgF6wbfnMak/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
The Open Book Project 2024 Board of Directors: Samantha Jones – President Lynn Boiter – Vice President Lorie Steveson – Treasurer Christa Brumfield – Secretary Sunni Crowe Missy McCall Julie Cassell April Gambrell Holly Campbell Shannon Nichols

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.