Have you ever wished for a method to search across numerous Discus databases at once, with a single search? Have you fantasized about a method for home access that doesn't involve remembering the current Discus username and password? Your wishes will be granted with the upcoming arrival of SmartSearch, the new federated search tool that includes a new home access solution for the Discus resources!

ILL requests sent through the SC Library Network Online Request forms email system were unfortunately not received by the SCSL ILL Department November 23 -- December 9, 2009.

If your library placed any ILL requests during this time and have not yet received materials, please contact the Library Services Department at reference@statelibrary.sc.gov or contact Brenda Boyd, Faith Keller, or Whitman Page at 803-734-8026. If you prefer, you may resubmit your requests via the forms email system.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in partnership with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) invites nominations for the 2010 Coming Up Taller Awards. The program, now in its thirteenth year, honors excellence in afterschool, out-of-school, and summer arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth. Other program partners include the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The second annual Braille Challenge to be held in South Carolina will take place at the State Library's Talking Book Services Library on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Applications are due by December 11, 2009.

The Visual Impairment Program, in collaboration with the Vision Education Partnership, was recently awarded a grant to promote the use of braille and access technology throughout South Carolina. The survey is located at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7M6678M.

It is a short survey; it should take less than 10 minutes to complete. We will use what we learn to design programs, courses, and workshops that will build increased proficiency in braille and access technology across the state.

The South Carolina State Library will be closed Thursday November 26 and Friday November 27. We will reopen Monday November 30. Have a great holiday!

"In the first major step toward making millions of videos on YouTube accessible to deaf and hearing-impaired people, Google unveiled new technologies on Thursday that will automatically bring text captions to many videos on the site." New York Times article.

Calling All Activists, Artists, Booksellers, Bloggers, Chefs, Crafters, Dancers, Designers, Educators, Festival Organizers, Government Workers, Human Resources, Internet Engineers, Jugglers, Librarians, Marketers, Non-Profit Executives, Publishers, Retailers, Singers, Social Networkers, Twitterholics, Videographers, Writers, Wine Guys, & Zookeepers to the first ever Southern Social Networking Summit (#ssns) http://www.sibaweb.com/ssns

The Lion's Roar is pleased to offer listeners a special edition podcast which is now available online and on iTunes.

The State Library is proud to present the South Carolina Family Friendly Standards web site, in conjunction with the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee.