Frequently Asked Questions

What is SchoolRooms?

SchoolRooms is a multimedia online learning portal for the K-12 community. It combines teacher-selected, standards-driven content with a user friendly interface. Content is available for students at the Elementary, Middle and High School level. Audience guides for Teachers, Librarians and Parents are also available to help them as they work with their children or students. For more information about the product and the content delivered, please visit www.schoolrooms.net.

How does the State Library plan to implement this new product/service?

SchoolRooms will be a statewide initiative, much like DISCUS has been. This initiative will start with 10 pilot libraries: Aiken, Allendale, Clarendon, Florence, Kershaw, Lexington, Marion, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter. Their personal SchoolRooms pages, which will include the integration of their library catalogs and information about their library locations, are currently in development. The State Library's goal is to implement these 10 pilot sites by the end of January 2008 and continue implementation until all libraries in South Carolina have access.

What other content/resources will be integrated into SchoolRooms?

The DISCUS databases will be integrated into the search function of SchoolRooms. In addition, SC ETV content from Knowitall will be included. Digital collections from USC and other libraries around the state will also be added. A South Carolina Room will be developed to address our unique history, culture, economy and environment. A content advisory board will be formed shortly to review the existing content and determine other appropriate resources that could be integrated or added.

How will users gain access/be authenticated?

Users sitting at a public access computer in one of South Carolina's public libraries or schools will have access immediately, with no login required. This will be IP authenticated. From home, users will have to login to gain remote access to the SchoolRooms content. An online registration form will be available for users who would like to get a login for home access. However, if users wish to checkout an item from the public library catalog represented in SchoolRooms, they will need a public library card from their local library.

What are these "Rooms" in SchoolRooms?

A Room is designed as a space where a variety of traditional, digital, and online resources are contextually. arranged to satisfy an information need.  In SchoolRooms, you can find a blend of Web links, activities, interactive media, and images useful for K-12 students.

What does South Carolina SchoolRooms look like?

This screenshot shows the main page of the South Carolina SchoolRooms portal. There is navigation to the Rooms on the left menu, sign-in information at the top right, and library highlights on the right. In the middle column is "featured" content which changes regularly.

What does each Rooms look like?

This screenshot shows the College & Careers Room within the Elementary Room. You can see the left-hand menu to show where you are and the other available Rooms. You can expand this Room from the menu to see the additional detailed content, such as Community Helpers and Famous People. Each grade level (Elementary, Middle School, and High School) has different content, features, and color schemes.

How can I use the Search Feature?

This screenshot shows the Search Feature.   When you type in a search into the Search Feature in the middle column, you have the option to search several resources at once.  You can search:

Library Catalog-Your public library's catalog

DISCUS-Subject-specific DISCUS databases including full-text article databases, newspapers, journals, encyclopedias, and more.

Best of the Web-Subject information expert picks on the best web sites on a subject

Library Favorites-Quality web sites chosen specifically by the South Carolina SchoolRooms team to broaden the search scope. Includes South Carolina specific web sites.

To see more information about the SchoolRooms product or to submit your own FAQ,  please contact the State Library's Project Manager, Shae Tetterton ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).