South Carolina State Library

South Carolina State Library
Agency overview
Formed	1929
Jurisdiction	State of South Carolina
Headquarters	1500 Senate Street ; Columbia, SC
Agency executive	Leesa Aiken, Director;
Website	www.statelibrary.sc.gov

The South Carolina State Library (SCSL) is the official State Library of South Carolina located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is both a library and a state agency. The SCSL manages public library development, federal and state funding for libraries, service for print-disabled and physically handicapped patrons, library service for state institutions, and library service to state government agencies.^[1]^[2]

History

In 1929 the South Carolina Legislature created the State Public Library Association and the State Library Board in order to establish statewide library services.^[3] Using grants, field agents were hired to assist communities that wanted to start libraries.^[3] Between 1935 and 1943 the Works Progress Administration created the South Carolina Library Project which helped establish at least some library service in all of South Carolina's counties.^[4] The State Library Board inherited the library assets of the WPA and received its first appropriation of state funding in 1943.^[4]

Building

The current State Library building at 1500 Senate Street was constructed between 1969 and 1970.^[5] 1969 was when the existing State Library Board was redesignated as the South Carolina State Library and funds were made available for the construction of the building.^[5] It was dedicated on February 18, 1970.^[6] This building houses the general collections, public-facing staff, Talking Book Services and other administrative departments.^[7] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.^[8]