Do you experience a disconnect with families you serve? Is there cultural awareness within your library?

Award-winning author Carmen Agra Deedy was featured at the South Carolina State Library's StoryfestSC 2018 in Columbia, SC. She took time out to explain the process of crafting a story. Carmen has been writing for children for over two decades. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1964. She grew up in Decatur, Georgia, where she lives today. Click here to watch the Knowitall.org video.

New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander was the speaker at the South Carolina State Library's 2018 Young Minds Dreaming Contest.  Winners received a signed copy of his book, Out of Wonder. He is the author of 28 books, including Swing, Solo, and REBOUND, the follow-up to his, Newbery-medal winning middle grade novel, THE CROSSOVER. After the ceremony, Kwame sat down with Knowitall to discuss poetry and the art of writing poetry.

Join us from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018, for our monthly author talk and book signing: Andrew Jackson, John C. Calhoun and the Petticoat Affair by Pat McNeely. The political battle over Peggy Eaton’s virtue caused President Andrew Jackson to dissolve his cabinet and cost Vice President John C. Calhoun the presidency. The scandal and government upheaval caused by the beautiful widow who married Jackson’s Secretary of War made national headlines well into the 20th Century.

The SC State Library invites you to view our 2018 Summer Reading Display on the first floor, featuring acclaimed artist Brian Pinkney, illustrator and author of many highly-praised picture books including The Faithful Friend, In the Time of the Drums, and Duke Ellington.

Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the SC State Library are hosting a special exhibit featuring the works of photographer, Cecil Williams, who is known for his documentation of the civil rights movement in South Carolina. The exhibit, “Unforgettable: Celebrating a Time of Life, Hope and Bravery,” will be displayed in the lobby area of the Main Branch, located at 68 Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston between July 1 and Sept. 30.

The South Carolina Arts Commission, Hub City Press, the College of Charleston, and the South Carolina State Library are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2018 South Carolina Novel Prize is Scott Sharpe for his manuscript “Whispering into the Wind.”

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.