By Betsy Finklea
The long-awaited ribbon cutting for the Latta Library Youth Reading Room will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the library at 101 N. Marion St., Latta. The public is invited to attend.
The Youth Reading Room is being made possible by Dr. Francis Marion “Frank” McMillan, III, who left a $2.2 million gift in his will for the construction of a children’s and adolescent reading room. His request was that a large oil portrait of himself be hung in the reading room or lobby. The library was not notified of his generous gift until two years after his death.
The library has been closed for the past few years while the work on the reading room has been occurring. Discussion on the project began in mid-2019. A large community meeting was held on the best use of the funds. Overwhelmingly, those in attendance wanted Dr. McMillan’s wish of a Youth Reading Room to be honored. A groundbreaking on the project occurred in April 2023.
After numerous issues during the construction and the deaths of many people connected to the project including Head Library Director Yolanda McCormick, Architect Danny Shelley, Library Board Chairman Tommy Stephens, and a close relative of Dr. McMillan Shirley McMillan Kopituk, the project is finally coming to fruition.
The work included taking off the north wing added in the 1950s, which was two stories, and placing a one level 5,000 sq. ft. addition to the original building. The same style of architecture was used. This week, many have watched crews making finishing touches including putting in the landscaping.
The Latta Library was established in 1913 and opened in 1914. A one mill property tax increase was added to property owners in the Latta School District to func the library. It wasn’t until the 1970s that each county in the state established library boards to take care of the libraries in their respective counties. Upon discovering that Latta was left the building, the Latta Library Foundation, Inc. was set up with well-know Latta benefactor Fred Ellis as chairman. Then Dillon County Council District Four Councilman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., aided in getting the county to lease the building from the corporation for 99 years for $1 a year.
The generous benefactor, Dr. Frank McMillan, who was residing in Augusta, Georgia at the time of his death, passed away at the age of 87 on July 6, 2017. According to his obituary, Dr. McMillan “was the son of Francis Marion McMillan II and Rebecca Harmon McMillan and was reared in Latta, SC. He was a graduate of Wofford College and earned his Masters degree from the University of South Carolina. He then served in the U.S. Army. Dr. McMillan earned his Ph.D. from University of Georgia. He worked as a professor at the University of Alabama and then at University of Virginia. In 1970, he began teaching at Augusta College and became Director of Special Education, retiring in 1997. Frank was an accomplished amateur artist. He served on the Board of Directors for Lynndale School for over 37 years. Dr. McMillan loved family, friends, enjoyed music and was well read.”
Long-Awaited Latta Library Youth Reading Room Ribbon Cutting Is May 4th
