Over the past three and a half years of our food literacy initiative, SC Read Eat Grow, the one question I have heard over and over again is, “Why should a library be involved with food and nutrition?” For the South Carolina State Library and our statewide partner organizations, the answer is simple: food is a basic need for every person.

Join us Thursday, April 29, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. for an author talk featuring Kristy Woodson Harvey. She will share with us her most recently published book, Under the Southern Sky. Recently separated Amelia Buxton, a dedicated journalist, never expected that uncovering the biggest story of her career would become deeply personal. But when she discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed abandoned, she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker—and dredging up old wounds in the process.

During National Library Week (April 4-10, 2021), we reflect on the importance of library service in our state. We also think about all the changes and innovations that have built stronger library services statewide to help educate citizens from the heart of urban areas to the most remote rural spaces. We learn from our past and move forward into the future of what great library service can be.

April 7, 2021 - National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day) celebrates library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Whether it's a bookmobile stop at the local elementary school, services provided to community homes, or library pop-ups at community gatherings, these services are essential to the community.

"4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. 4-H welcomes youth of all backgrounds and beliefs, empowering them with the skills and confidence to lead for a lifetime." - Pamela B. Ardern, 4-H Program Team Director.

April 6, 2021 - Today is National Library Workers Day! NLWD is a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. How are you celebrating? Learn more at the NLWD website. 

April 5, 2021 - Today, the American Library Association (ALA) released its State of America's Libraries Special Report: COVID-19, a snapshot of the library communities' resilience, determination, and innovation in unprecedented circumstances. The State of America's Libraries report is released annually during National Library Week, April 4 – 10, and this year’s issue focuses on the impact of the novel coronavirus on all types of libraries during the previous calendar year.

National Library Week (April 4 - 10, 2021) is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions, and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2021 is Welcome to Your Library.