Recently, the future library in Olanta was dedicated to the late Dr. John M. Thomason, who has been a leader in the efforts to see improved library service for all of Florence County.
Unfortunately, the dedication came several weeks after his death, but it was certainly a fitting tribute to the Olanta native and lifelong Florence doctor.
Kim Thomason Turner, Thomason’s daughter, said at the dedication, “With this library, the legacy of my dad can go forward, providing a place where the people in Olanta can connect with the world (and) can learn about the Wright brothers or medicine or barbecue.”
The new library will replace the current building, which is in the former county health building.
It will have a 65-seat meeting room, wireless Internet, 16 computers for public use and 8,000 books with space for 4,000 more.
Thomason, a founding member and vice-chairman of the Board of Directors for the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, was a driving force in the foundation’s efforts to improve our libraries.
The foundation contributed about $1 million for the library in Olanta.
And the foundation has also provided funding for libraries in other towns in the county, as well as the main library in downtown Florence.
In addition to his passion for libraries, Thomason was well known for service to the community as a physician.
He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina and later served on its Board of Visitors.
He practiced medicine for 34 years at Bruce Hospital, which later became Carolinas Hospital System.
He was on the hospital’s board of directors, and after its sale, he was on the Advisory Board of Carolinas Hospital.
And he also was a strong supporter of the Mercy Medical Clinic, which honored him for his work in the community.
Thomason was the type of man who didn’t seek the limelight, but his contributions to our community are certainly a fitting legacy — both the bricks and mortar of the libraries and his service to the medical community and his patients.
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