The South Carolina State Library has long supported summer reading programs as a way to promote the joy of reading for fun, connect communities, assist with summer learning loss and to encourage lifelong library users. Research has shown that summer learning loss is more pronounced in children from families and communities that have a lower socioeconomic status—and access to books is lacking in those same communities. Public library summer reading programs help level the playing field.

For the second consecutive year, the SC Center for the Book will participate in the Route One Reads initiative, a program under the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. 

In 2016, the theme of the initiative will be mysteries, and the selected book to represent South Carolina is Murder on Edisto by SC author, C. Hope Clark.

Traveling abroad this summer or just want to learn another language? Check out Mango Languages and start learning today! The SC State Library provides Mango Languages statewide. You can access it from our website or at your local public library. Just select Mango Languages from the list of our online resources at http://statelibrary.sc.libguides.com/online-resources.

Claire Hood (pictured) beat out 500 applicants with her name selection 'Rosey' - The South Carolina State Library's first Winter Reading Program was a success with 15 public libraries participating.  A Name Our Wren contest was part of this year's program. We received over 500 entries from 13 South Carolina counties.

The South Carolina Digital State Documents Depository provides access to publications produced by state agencies and state-supported academic institutions. These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.

Two hundred and two years after the May 1814 birth of Henry William Ravenel, a 19^th century South Carolina planter and botanist, a dedicated team from North Carolina and South Carolina universities and colleges has made his manuscripts and collections available online.

Writers Sammy Fretwell, Emily Cooper, and Ron Aiken join editor Aïda Rogers for a chat about their favorite places in South Carolina - and what's become of them. Join us on Thursday June 16, 2016 at noon for Speaker @ the Center for State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love, Volume 2 published by the University of South Carolina Press. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Location: South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate St., Columbia. Speaker @ the Center is FREE and open to the public. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Listen to the June 2, 2016 premiere episode of our new podcast, LibraryVoicesSC. Guest Dr. Pat Feehan talks about the importance of summer reading and the South Carolina kickoff, Storyfest!  To learn more, visit StoryfestSC.org for more details. StoryfestSC is held every year on the first Saturday of June.

Need to keep up with trends in web development? Check out our Safari Books collection online and download free ebooks with your SC State Library card today! You can find our Safari Books collection by clicking here.

Hub City Writers Project, together with BirthMatters and The Adolescent Family Life Center, is pleased to announce the launch of a new program: Growing Great Readers.