South Carolina State Library

What South Carolina State Library does

The South Carolina State Library is a state government agency founded in 1969 and headquartered at 1500 Senate Street in Columbia, South Carolina. It was established when the General Assembly transferred responsibility for public library development, library service for state institutions, service for the blind and physically handicapped, and library service to state government agencies to a single body, and today operates as the primary state-level library authority under South Carolina Code § 60-1-60. The Library maintains an extensive print and digital collection focused on South Carolina history, federal documents, and state agency publications, and is the designated administrator of federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding for the state's libraries. Its service portfolio addresses three principal constituencies: South Carolina residents (general public, K-12 students, and individuals with disabilities), public libraries and librarians across the state, and state agencies and elected officials.

The Library's core technology infrastructure includes SCLENDS — a shared SirsiDynix Symphony integrated library system connecting 20 public library systems statewide for catalog search and interlibrary loan — and Discus, branded as South Carolina's Virtual Library, which provides free 24/7 access to subscription databases, e-books, magazines, and Tutor.com tutoring in 200+ subject areas. The South Carolina Digital State Documents Depository (dc.statelibrary.sc.gov) provides electronic access to state agency publications, and the Talking Book Services program operates as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, mailing audio books and playback equipment to eligible users. Additional offerings include StudySC (a K-12 educational resource), the Center for the Book literacy program, Book a Librarian virtual reference appointments, and the Check Out SC backpack program partnered with SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism. A 2023 website redesign added SmartSearch+ and reorganized navigation by user type.

The business model is non-commercial: all patron services are free, the Library issues no paid tiers, and there are no disclosed fees, subscription plans, or commercial contracts. Revenue is derived entirely from South Carolina General Assembly appropriations and federal LSTA pass-through funding administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Go-to-market is hybrid — direct-to-consumer for residents (free library cards issued by mail or instant e-cards), consortium-driven for the 20 library systems, and inter-agency for state-government users — with marketing distributed across email newsletters, organic social media, YouTube, and live events such as the Speaker at the Center series. Headcount stands at 54 employees and the entity operates as a public government agency with no parent company, subsidiaries, or private ownership structure.

Name

South Carolina State Library

Legal name

South Carolina State Library

Website

https://statelibrary.sc.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The South Carolina State Library is a state government agency headquartered in Columbia, SC, that provides free library, research, and accessibility services to South Carolina residents, supports 20 public library systems statewide through the SCLENDS consortium, and administers state and federal library funding under South Carolina Code § 60-1-60.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

• State library services
• Digital library databases
• Interlibrary loan systems
• Government information access
• Library consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: As a state agency, the South Carolina State Library is funded by state appropriations from the South Carolina General Assembly. The Library develops, supports, and sustains a statewide community of learners.
2. Federal LSTA Funding: Funded by the federal government through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), primary administrator of federal and state support for the state's libraries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The South Carolina State Library operates as the state's primary library agency, providing free access to physical and digital collections, subscription databases via Discus (South Carolina's Virtual Library), shared catalog access through the SCLENDS consortium of 20 library systems, Talking Book Services for individuals with disabilities, and the State Documents Depository for state agency publications. The Library supports statewide library development through consulting, grants administration, and professional development for librarians.

Product overview

The South Carolina State Library operates as a state library system providing library services to residents, libraries, and state agencies. The core product portfolio includes Discus (South Carolina's Virtual Library) for digital resources, SCLENDS for the shared catalog of 20 library systems, Talking Book Services for accessibility, and the State Documents Depository for government publications. Additional offerings include the Federal Documents Collection, StudySC for K-12 education, the Center for the Book literacy program, Library Cards (physical and e-card), Interlibrary Loan services, Book a Librarian appointments, and the Check Out SC state parks program. The library maintains collections of print and digital materials and hosts exhibits and educational programming including SC250 Revolutionary War commemoration activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discus - South Carolina's Virtual Library

Quantifiable outcome

• Free tutoring available 24/7 in over 200 subjects for SC students
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Carolina Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2023Partnership providing free 24/7 access to Tutor.com through Discus - South Carolina's Virtual Library. Students receive tutoring in over 200 subjects, test prep, and writing assignment review at no cost.
• South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to digitize South Carolina Wildlife magazine, dating back to 1954. Issues through 1993 available via South Carolina Digital Library. Preserves state natural heritage.
• South Carolina Department of Veterans' AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalking Book Services partners with SCDVA to serve eligible veterans across South Carolina. SCTBS serves veterans who need accessible reading materials.
• Library of CongressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived one of 56 retired card catalogs from Library of Congress for display during National Library Week, distributed through Center for the Book affiliate network.
• South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the 'History and Archaeology of Fort Motte' traveling exhibit examining the 1781 siege and artifacts. Features 13 panels, 12 reproduction objects for display, and 14 for hands-on learning.
• South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Library commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War through SC250 initiative, featuring digitization collections, exhibits, and educational resources.
• South Carolina Parks, Recreation and TourismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides Statewide Park Passports for Check Out SC backpack program at public libraries, offering free day entry to SC state parks.
• SC Department of Employment and WorkforceminorOthersSCDEW creates Data Trends newsletter on labor market information, published through the State Documents Depository.
• South Carolina State MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Carolina State Museum provides traveling exhibits to the State Library, including the Fort Motte exhibit.
• South Carolina Public Libraries (20 systems)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCLENDS consortium of 20 library systems statewide sharing catalog access, resources, and circulating materials. Libraries participate in Check Out SC backpack program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scstatelibrary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/scstatelibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/southcarolinastatelibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-carolina-state-library
• Instagraminstagram.com/scstatelibrary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Carolina State Library