According to the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, the vast majority of public libraries (78.7%) report that providing education resources and databases for K-12 students is the Internet-based service most critical to the role of the library. South Carolina’s libraries show a very high level of public libraries in the state (89.6%) offering online homework help.
The most common Internet-based service is licensed databases, which are available in 87 percent of all libraries and 98 percent of urban libraries. These online collections provide content in virtually every school subject - including history, literature and science. Popular resources include encyclopedias, the Oxford English Dictionary, Biography Resource Center, AccessScience, and the Literary Reference Center. For students, the resources available through the public library are ones that are not accessible through Internet search engines without paying a fee. Additional topics beyond traditional school resources also are available, such as finance and investing, business research, certification and testing resources, and auto repair manuals.
Students of all ages also can talk to librarians online, read full-text newspapers, browse e-books, research paper topics, and take practice exams ranging from the GED to the LSAT in many South Carolina libraries. Many of these services are available remotely via the local library Web site, as well as on library computers.
The South Carolina State Library supports a growing number of homeschooled and distance education students by providing continued access to Discus – South Carolina’s Virtual Library. Discus is the “information place” for all South Carolinians. Discus – which stands for Digital Information for South Carolina USers – provides free access to an electronic library that’s available 24/7. Discus resources use the Internet merely as a delivery tool to provide accurate information from recognized publishers. The Discus databases include high-quality publications and documents that are updated regularly and organized so users can quickly find accurate and authoritative information. For more information about Discus, visit www.scdiscus.org.
For more information about supporting learners in US public libraries, contact the American Library Association’s Office for Research and Statistics at 1-800-545-2433. The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study is the largest and longest running study of its kind. Additional information is available online at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.
