Our emergency preparedness toolkit is available; we sent it to all South Carolina public library directors last week. The kit guides staff in preparing for, reacting during, and responding to almost any disaster or emergency. 

This kit helps library staff develop or deepen relationships with external agencies to collaborate when emergencies happen effectively. The blank spaces let you customize the kit to your library’s specific building information and community and emergency contacts. 

The University of South Carolina Honors College is proud to showcase selections from the 8th annual South Carolina High School Writing Contest. Featuring submissions from high school juniors and seniors from across the state, the works are edited by Honors students from the SCHC 384 course. For a complete list of winners, please visit the Writing South Carolina web page.

Today, on what would have been Eric Carle’s 92nd birthday, we are celebrating his books and artwork. This morning we created our own Very Hungry Caterpillar and many of our library’s staff members are holding copies of their favorite Eric Carle books.

Next week we take you on a social media scavenger hunt, leading up to the release of our latest “must-have” library resource. Beginning Monday, follow us on social media as we help you track down the emergency preparedness necessities in your library. Share your discoveries using the hashtag #SCSLSafetyHunt. We can’t wait to see what you find!

Denise Lyons, Deputy Director of Statewide Development, is elected to the IFLA Health and Biosciences Libraries Section. Her term will begin in August 2021 and run through August 2025. This Section Standing Committee is a part of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) governing body, the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.

This month we feature the state government document, Loggerheadlines 2020, published by the SCDNR South Carolina Marine Turtle Conservation Program. In the introduction to this publication, Jeff Schwenter, Wildlife Biologist for the Program writes, "Humans, like sea turtles, are resilient creatures, and one year is but a blip in the sum of our existence.

Original artwork from muralist Kanae Goji brings fresh energy to our Inclusive Services Center. We also add new books to our EDI collection each month. Learn ways to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion at your library. Please contact Caroline Smith, our Inclusive Services Consultant at jcsmith@statelibrary.sc.gov for more information.