South Carolina State Library

South Carolina State Library. The South Carolina General Assembly established the library in 1969 to serve as the primary repository of South Carolina's literary and cultural heritage. The library is located in Columbia, South Carolina, near the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State House. It works closely with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the Richland County Public Library to provide access to information and resources for the state's citizens, including Furman University students and Clemson University researchers.

● History

The library's history dates back to the late 19th century, when the South Carolina State Legislature first established a state library to collect and preserve South Carolina's literary and cultural heritage. Over the years, the library has undergone several transformations, including a major renovation in the 1990s, which was supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library has also partnered with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the South Carolina Historical Society, to digitize and make available South Carolina's historical documents, including the Charleston Courier and the Greenville News. Notable figures, such as John C. Calhoun and Strom Thurmond, have also contributed to the library's collections, which include rare books and manuscripts from Fort Sumter and the University of South Carolina.

● Collections

The library's collections include over 1 million items, ranging from rare books and manuscripts to digital resources and online databases, such as JSTOR and ProQuest. The library is particularly strong in its holdings of South Carolina history and culture, with extensive collections of materials related to the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Gullah Geechee culture. The library also has significant collections of materials related to Southern literature, including the works of William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Erskine Caldwell. Additionally, the library has partnered with the South Carolina ETV and the South Carolina Educational Television Commission to provide access to educational resources and programming, including PBS and NPR.

● Services

The library provides a range of services to the citizens of South Carolina, including research assistance, interlibrary loan, and access to online databases, such as EBSCO and Gale. The library also offers a variety of programs and services for children and adults, including author readings, book clubs, and literacy programs, which are supported by the National Library Association and the American Library Association. The library's Talking Book Services program provides access to audio books and other materials for individuals with visual or physical disabilities, in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind. Furthermore, the library has collaborated with the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Commission for the Blind to provide resources and support for students and educators.

● Programs

The library offers a variety of programs and services to promote literacy, education, and cultural awareness, including the South Carolina Book Festival and the South Carolina Literary Festival. The library also partners with other organizations, such as the South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Humanities Council, to provide funding and support for cultural and educational programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The library's Summer Reading Program is a popular program that encourages children to read and develop a love of learning, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Library of Congress. Additionally, the library has worked with the South Carolina ETV and the South Carolina Educational Television Commission to develop educational programming and resources for children and adults.

● Governance

The library is governed by a board of trustees, which is appointed by the Governor of South Carolina and confirmed by the South Carolina Senate. The board is responsible for setting the library's policies and overseeing its operations, in accordance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and the United States Code. The library is also subject to the oversight of the South Carolina State Legislature and the South Carolina Department of Administration, which provides funding and support for the library's programs and services, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Library of Medicine. The library's director, Leesa Aiken, works closely with the board and other stakeholders to ensure that the library is providing high-quality services and resources to the citizens of South Carolina, including Clemson University students and University of South Carolina researchers.