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Federal aid to South Carolina libraries is administered under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) for the improvement of services through the funding of projects that match the statutorily defined priorities of LSTA. This means projects that expand and provide specific types of library services and programs to end users; that target library and information services to specific groups of people; and that develop partnerships with other agencies and organizations in order to deliver services to end users.
State aid provides additional funding for public libraries to assist them in providing basic levels of service to South Carolina citizens. Funds may be used for salaries, collections and some operating expenses. For more information, go to Volume 26 SC Ann Reg. 75 1-2 (Supp. 2005).
South Carolina public libraries have benefited from more than $3 million in grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn more here about current grant programs. Participating libraries will also find forms, guidelines and other information.
On May 8, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order ensures that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services. The South Carolina Department of Education, the Office of Information Resources and the South Carolina State Library signed the first Universal Service Fund Application on behalf of schools and libraries statewide. This signing took place the headquarters of the Office of Information Resources on January 30, 1998.
Assist South Carolina’s public library directors in completing the accountability process for expenditure of funds made available from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account. These funds are administered by the South Carolina State Library for public library state aid and are distributed to county public libraries on a per capita basis to fund educational technology delivery, upgrade and maintenance.
Friends of the Library support groups are the grassroots champions for libraries of all kinds. Bringing together community members who believe in the mission and value of the Library, Friends groups:
- Raise funds to supplement library budgets, through activities such as book sales
- Sponsor public programs (author talks, children’s storytimes)
- Serve as library advocates in the political arena
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Services 
Many S.C. State Library programs, resources and services are supported in
whole or in part by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library
Services.
