Congratulations to Desire’e Thomas as a recipient of the prestigious South Carolina Library Association’s annual Scholarship for Diversity in Librarianship.

Each June we celebrate the end of slavery in the United States in 1865. Across the country, family and friends gather to celebrate and learn more about the history and experience of African Americans before and after slavery. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. South Carolina State Library staff members have put together a number of resources related to Juneteenth and racial equity.

As part of a Cooperative Agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, awarded to Boston Children’s Museum to expand its existing School Readiness through Partnerships program to 3 new states; the South Carolina State Library has been selected to engage in this work in South Carolina in partnership with the Children’s Museum of the Low Country.

Residents of Calhoun County will have easier access to their public library.  A new bookmobile equipped with features for improved accessibility arrived on May 21. The delivery is part of a project to provide outreach services and literary enrichment activities in Calhoun County. Bookmobile routes will include new locations that currently have limited access to the library.

The South Carolina State Library is pleased to announce that Niche Academy training is now available to all public, academic, and school library staff members in South Carolina. Niche Academy helps libraries deliver “experiences of delight” for their customers. The Academy provides online tutorials that educate library staff members about library resources and how to use them. These tutorials also help library staff members become more confident and effective in the day to day operations of the library.