General Collection

To meet the information needs of both state government and the citizens of South Carolina, the State Library maintains a general collection of non-fiction publications on a wide range of topics, such as governance, management and administration, applied technology, history, and the social sciences. The collection includes books, periodicals and newspapers both in print and on microfilm, and web-accessible electronic resources.

The general collection is supplemented by several special collections.

South Carolina Collection

This collection includes published materials dealing with South Carolina and South Carolinians. Multiple copies of South Carolina titles are usually purchased to ensure that one copy remains in the Library for long-term, historical purposes. Publications that are primarily genealogical in nature are not collected.

Government Publications

As a federal depository library since 1970, the State Library receives publications of the United States government in print, microfiche, and electronic formats. As the official State Documents Depository, the Library has the world’s largest collection of South Carolina state government publications in print. In addition, the South Carolina State Library Digital Collections contain more than 2,500 digital state government documents. This collection continues to grow as historic and contemporary state documents are added.

Grants Research Collection

This collection contains specialized publications to assist nonprofit organizations seeking grant funding from private and corporate foundations and government agencies. As a cooperating collection of the Foundation Center, the library receives copies of the federal income tax returns filed by South Carolina foundations. In conjunction with this collection, the Library periodically publishes the South Carolina Foundation Directory.

Talking Book Collection

Through its Talking Book Services program, the State Library provides recorded books and magazines, descriptive videotapes, and large print books to South Carolina residents who are unable to read or use standard print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. The necessary playback equipment is also provided free of charge to qualified users.