Learn more about the State Library's rare book collecion

rare book

The South Carolina State Library is committed to preserving the Rare Book Collection (promotional video) and making them accessible to the community. The collection includes approximately 2,000 items, ranging from political speeches and periodicals to historical scientific works and literature. Half of the Rare Book collection comes from the personal library of A.S. Salley, Jr., South Carolina’s first Historian and Archivist. The Rare Book Collection can be searched in our online catalog, SCLENDS. A selection of digitized materials from the Rare Book Collection can be accessed through the South Carolina Book Collection. If you'd like to make an appointment to view the collection, please visit our website. Further information can be found in the Rare Book Guide.

Upcoming Event

South Carolina Center for the Book

Speaker at the Center Series: Tom Poland & Robert Clark

July 24, 2024, 2:00 PM


Join us at the SC Center for the Book for the latest installment of the Speaker at the Center series with author Tom Poland and photographer Robert Clark. The two have partnered to explore South Carolina through words and pictures in many publications and will speak on this topic.