Access to information technology creates opportunity for all, especially persons with disabilities, Secretary-General says in observance of Disabled Persons Day

The following is UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's message on the International Day of Disabled Persons, observed on 3 December:

The theme of this year's observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, "E-accessibility”, reminds us of the need to make the Internet available to everyone.

Building upon past support that has included over $240 million in grants, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) launched, in November 2005, Museums and Libraries Engaging America’s Youth initiative.  It focuses primarily on young people aged 9 – 19 and is analyzing past Institute grant-making initiatives, examining what works and developing case studies to explore best practices. 

South Carolina students can test their creative skills with two upcoming contests sponsored by the South Carolina Center for the Book: Letters About Literature and River of Words.

Students have one more month to pen their notes for the Letters About Literature competition. The national contest is open to students in grades four through 12, and submissions are being accepted until Dec. 8.

State employees, staff members at other libraries, and the general public can now contact the Information Desk at the State Library using Instant Messaging (IM). The library’s username is scslreference, on both AIM and Yahoo Messenger.

Contributed by Mary Morgan

State Library patrons can let their fingers do the talking when it comes to asking questions, requesting books or renewing checked out materials.

Earl Mitchell will join the State Library Board at its next meeting Nov. 8 in  Columbia. Mitchell was appointed to the board in October by Gov. Mark Sanford.

Mitchell, a Charleston resident, fills the 1st District seat held by Vice Chairman James Campbell of James Island. Campbell, 81, had served on the board since 1999. His term expired in June, and he could not be reappointed because he'd already served two consecutive terms.

Sumter County will be one of six dozen communities to participate in a national program to promote literary reading.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on Oct. 31 announced in a news release that 72 organizations will receive grants to support Big Read programs between January and June 2007.

The National Federation of the Blind announced that it has created a hotline for blind and visually impaired voters to report any difficulties in casting their ballots both secretly and independently in the upcoming election. 

The purpose of the hotline will be to monitor compliance with the provisions of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) relating to non-visual access to the voting process for the blind.

October 27th Ceremony at the South Carolina State Library will Honor Centenarians from Across the State who are 100 – 105 Years Old

Public libraries in South Carolina continue to explore community outreach options with a variety of activities for all ages. Here are examples of programs three library systems are sponsoring.