Debbie Allen said “But out of limitations, comes creativity.” In mid-March when the Coronavirus pandemic was making its way through the country, South Carolina’s libraries began discussions on how to keep their doors open to serve the public. However, it became clear that the library doors were closing fast as the state mandated many communities with sheltering in place.

The South Carolina State Library has made sample signage available for libraries to download and print to use in libraries upon reopening. For more information about COVID-19 library communications, please visit this online resource.

Congratulations to Inclusive Services Consultant Caroline Smith for being named a 2020 Mover and Shaker by Library Journal. The high honor recognizes those who transform their community through innovative approaches to literacy, learning, and teaching. Smith is dedicated to improving service to underserved populations.

Last month, I wrote about leadership during the pandemic, feelings of anxiety during this period of stress, and the need to balance ourselves and support each other. Those feelings of anxiety and stress have been amplified in the last week. This month, I intend to write about what libraries can do to promote change in their communities.

The South Carolina Digital State Documents Depository provides access to publications produced by state agencies and state-supported academic institutions. These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.

The gravesite of Poet James Mathewes Legare at the St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church church in Aiken is now one of six literary landmarks designated in South Carolina. These sites are listed on the National Historic Registry through United for Libraries, an affiliate of the American Library Association.

Since your family spends so much time at home, everyone may be tired of the same recipes. Branch out and try something new. Lyndsey Maloney from Horry Memorial Library prepares an at-home Lo Mein for this SC Read Eat Grow featured recipe. Follow along and enjoy a taste of this simple dish that is quick to prepare and full of healthy vegetables.

Lo Mein

Just like the State Library, your local public library is virtually anywhere. Visit your local public library's website for a list of programs, resources, and services that you can access from home. From reference help to eBooks and online bookclubs, you will be amazed by the creative ways that library staff connects with patrons. Also, visit our Coronavirus and Public Libraries resource page.

South Carolina State Library cardholders now have access to Charleston Post and Courier Historical Newspapers. Users can access these historical collections through NewsBank, which is a news database resource that provides archives of media publications as reference materials to libraries. The collection runs from the earliest issues in the early 1800’s through 1995. Newspapers that make up the collection are the Carolina Gazette, Charleston Courier, Charleston News and Courier, Evening Post, and the Post and Courier.