Clemson Libraries partners with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Clemson Libraries is partnering with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to offer a community outreach center at the OLLI headquarters located at the Cheezem Education Center in Patrick Square.

The partnership allows OLLI members and other community residents access to a selection of library materials and other resources. Items selected for the small satellite library will relate to OLLI course offerings, allowing OLLI members to enhance what they are learning and enabling community residents to take advantage of other resources and services available at Clemson Libraries. The collection will also feature books related to the history of Clemson University and the surrounding area, as well as South Carolina history. Community residents and OLLI members can also request and return other Clemson Libraries materials from this location.

“OLLI has more than 1,000 members, and the vast majority of them are not originally from South Carolina and are not Clemson alumni. This partnership will help them get a better understanding and create a sense of place about where they have chosen to retire,” said OLLI Director Julie Vidotto. “It is also a wonderful way to introduce people to the way libraries work today and give them a stronger connection to the university.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to do some outreach into the local community, especially with an active organization full of people who are excited and ready to learn,” said Clemson Libraries Dean Chris Cox. “I am looking forward to working with OLLI and seeing this partnership grow.”

Clemson alumni Roger and Kathy Troutman, both members of the Class of 1974, donated $5,000 to the Libraries to establish the satellite library at the Cheezem Center, which will be open in August.

“We are honored to provide the financial resources for Clemson Libraries and OLLI to team together to better serve our local community,” said Roger Troutman. “We’re always excited to support Clemson University as a high seminary of learning with its mission to advance knowledge at any and every level.”

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Clemson University is a membership community of nearly 1,100 Upstate residents dedicated to lifelong learning. OLLI offers 350 academic and recreational programs per year.