The South Carolina Public Library History, 1940-1945 collection consists of photographs and documents from the archives of the South Carolina State Library. These digital images highlight public libraries, bookmobiles, librarians, and patrons from around the state. Many photographs and documents relate to the federal Works Project Administration (WPA) Library Project in South Carolina, which provided statewide library services from 1935 to 1943.
The WPA's major objective was to provide each county of the state with some measure of area-wide public library service. The WPA Library Project helped establish library service in some areas and enhanced existing libraries' operations in others. The WPA program made possible the establishment of bookmobile service in 23 counties formerly without rural library service.
The federal WPA Library Project purchased books to lend to public libraries around the state. We have cataloged a selection of books owned by this program in LibraryThing to provide a glimpse of what a public library in 1942 in South Carolina might have had on their shelves.
This digital collection represents the collaborative efforts of several individuals at the South Carolina State Library and USC Libraries. For more information and to experience the exhibit online, visit http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/south-carolina-public-library-history-1930-1945.
