01.20.10
New Documents January 2010 Learning from the Past
Among the state documents received this month were several that relate South Carolina of the past with South Carolina of the present!
Coastal Heritage, Fall 2009 This issue of the quarterly magazine of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium has an interesting article linking South Carolina to the Jazz Age of the 1920s and ‘30s. No, South Carolina wasn’t “roaring” at that time. In fact, it was experiencing a collapse of its agricultural economy and some very rough times for race relations. However, this magazine relates the effects of two native authors and a Charleston orphanage on the culture and “rages” of the times. Julia Peterkin and DuBose Heyward were of two aristocratic families in South Carolina and found acclaim for their first novels by writing compassionately about the African Americans in the area, many of whom were descendants of slaves. Peterkin and DuBose were thus able to draw attention to the Gullah culture. In fact, DuBose eventually adapted his book to a play and went to New York to produce it. He used musicians from the Jenkins Institute for Children in Charleston. Jenkins taught the children music and many of the African American children “jazzed” the music as they practiced. Many went on to larger orchestras, bringing their music with them. While DuBose struggled with his play, he eventually worked with the Gershwins and the famous Porgy and Bess folk opera, with its famous Gullah music, was developed. The magazine goes on to connect this peculiar part of South Carolina history and culture to the Civil Rights Movement and on up the Obama inauguration. Photos from the periods accompany the article.
Creating greater opportunity in South Carolina’s I-95 Corridor: A human needs assessment. This report by RTI International for Francis Marion University and South Carolina State University gives the results of more than 60 interviews with stakeholders and experts and identifies six fundamental needs in the region: leadership in local development, regional economic development, improved educational opportunities, improved infrastructure, tax and financial support, and, work to close disparities in healthcare and social services. Instead of dwelling on the problems in the area, the report itemizes steps and goals for each of the areas of development.
Tied to Cotton is a curriculum resource packet by Archives and History designed to help teachers integrate primary sources and local history into the classroom. Included are reproduced primary sources and a teacher resource guide that ties the documents to the South Carolina Academic Standards.
Also Received this Month were several reports by the SC Department of Natural Resources on loggerhead turtles! Many of these were reports to federal government agencies from 1978 to 2007. They add tremendous value to our collection of unique information on South Carolina!
Remember that these documents may be borrowed by our card holders or through interlibrary loan.
01.14.10
January 2010 Salary Data Available!
The South Carolina State Library has received a print copy of the FOI State Government Salary Data, $30,000 and above, on a quarterly basis since 1987, when the Office of Human Resources began sending it to the Library. An online database of salaries $50,00 and above is available through The State newspaper at http://www.thestate.com/salaries/. However, the printed version at the library is the only list for salaries below $49,999 and above $30,000. The current issue is dated January 11, 2010 and is available for use and personal photocopying at the State Library Information Desk. Visit us at 1500 Senate Street, Columbia today!
01.08.10
New Car Fuel Economy
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have produced a new Fuel Economy Guide for 2010 automobile models. This annual publication features fuel economy data for new cars, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks. It includes a discussion on annual fuel cost estimates, tax incentives, saving money and fueling options. Print copies should be available where new automobiles are offered for sale and are available free from EERE Information Center (1-877-337-3463). Of course, the guide is also online at www.fueleconomy.gov. Here there is fuel economy data for new and used vehicles dating back to 1984, emissions information, safety ratings, and provisions for side-by-side vehicle comparisons.
This is a neat, compact publication that would make for good reading before getting that new car this year. Teachers, also, could make use of the information in several content areas. Get a stack for the junior high math and science teachers for Valentine’s Day!
01.07.10
Training available at the State Library!
The Library Services Department of the State Library will be offering short classes designed to introduce participants to selected library and Internet resources and are open to library staff, state employees and public. Classes meet in the Computer Training Room of the State Library at 1500 Senate Street in Columbia.
Grant Research Resources January 28, 2010 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Note new time!
Training Description: Learn how to locate information on grants available from private foundations and corporations, using the State Library’s electronic and print resources. The Foundation Directory Online, the Foundation Center’s grants database, as well as grants-related web sites, will be demonstrated. Includes basic information on writing a grant proposal.
Trainer: Dawn Mullin, South Carolina State Library
Cost: Free
Location: South Carolina State Library
1500 Senate St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Computer Training Room
Questions?
Dawn Mullin
803-737-3762
dmullin@statelibrary.sc.gov
Legislative Resources February 9, 2010 9:30 AM – 12 PM Note new time!
TRAINING DESCRIPTION
This is a 21/2-hour class for state employees and librarians designed to familiarize users with the Legislative Research website, scstatehouse.gov. and other sites for information on legislators and county and city government. Attendees will learn to find bills that are submitted to the General Assembly, track actions and versions; find contact information for legislators and committees. We will see how to find information on county and city governments and laws, and visit the federal legislative websites. Selected print publications will be used also.
TRAINER:Elaine Sandberg, Government Documents Librarian
South Carolina State Library
COST:Free
LOCATION:SC State Library
Computer Training Room
1500 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
QUESTIONS?
Elaine Sandberg, (803) 734-8625, esandberg@statelibrary.sc.gov
Grant Research Resources February 24, 2010 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Note new time!
Training Description: Learn how to locate information on grants available from private foundations and corporations, using the State Library’s electronic and print resources. The Foundation Directory Online, the Foundation Center’s grants database, as well as grants-related web sites, will be demonstrated. Includes basic information on writing a grant proposal.
Trainer: Dawn Mullin, South Carolina State Library
Cost: Free
Location: South Carolina State Library
1500 Senate St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Computer Training Room
Questions?
Dawn Mullin
803-737-3762
dmullin@statelibrary.sc.gov
The Library Services staff of the State Library are available to conduct programs on library resources and services to agency personnel. Contact the Information Services desk (734-8026) for information on setting up a program at your agency.
12.16.09
South Carolina, Good and Bad
Documents this month show both beauty and beasts of South Carolina. Beautiful places, but growing problems in violence and youth crime.
Gangs and Crime in South Carolina: How Much, How Bad? SC Dept of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs 2009 provides information about criminal activity attributed to gangs. The report gives material on victims of gang activity, gang offenders, and estimates of gang membership in South Carolina’s prison population. For instance, gang related incidents increased 996% from 1998 to 2007, and reported gang membership increased 184% from 2000 to 2008. The department concludes that the volume of gang crime is relatively small, but the rate of increase points to development of a serious problem. The publication is a good source of statistics for public, school administrators, and field workers.
Jocassee Journal. DNR produces a nice publication with news about the Jocassee Gorges in Pickens County. The Jocassee Gorges tract is a large and rugged forested area characterized by swift mountain streams, and waterfall settings. Much of this area is wild and has limited access for the casual visitor. However, the state maintains a series of parks and “gateways” so that this beautiful part of South Carolina can be appreciated. The publication includes several articles about the visitor centers and about visiting the parks. Throughout are photos about ongoing projects. Black and white, they nevertheless are interesting enough to draw in the reader and potential visitor. More information on the Jocassee Gorges can be found at the DNR website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/indexfull.htm.
Best Management Practices for Wildlife in Maritime Forest Developments Another fine DNR publication, this one is meant to be a resource for developers of coastal communities. Development of the attractive, nonurban coastal forests may be a fact of life in South Carolina, so it is important to know the interrelationships between fauna and the flora they depend upon and how to minimize the impact of building a home or community in a wooded or coastal area. The report contains much information on the forests and animals, and supplies ample photos and diagrams for suggested landscaping.
11.25.09
SC State Art Collection, American Buildings, Pony Express, and More!
Federal and State Documents of special note this month cover a wide variety of topics ranging from naturalization tests to art collections to statistics on gangs. These are exceptional documents and are worth checking out!
Real People Real Stories. The Federal Trade Commission has distributed a video (DVD) to encourage homeowners to be knowledgeable of foreclosure rescue companies. With more homeowners in financial stress, we see more possibilities of individuals falling for scamming. The video is available to teach individuals to recognize potential problems with companies or individuals promising to stop foreclosure. The video is in both English and Spanish.
The Road to Yucca Mountain This book by J. Samuel Walker and published by the University of California Press in association with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission traces the U.S. government’s efforts to solve the problems associated with radioactive waste. It is the fifth in a series of volumes sponsored by the Commission on the history of nuclear regulation. It does not represent the official position of the Commission.
Civics Flash Cards for the New Naturalization Test. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has distributed boxes of flash cards designed to assist candidates for the Naturalization Test. These are not as easy as you think! For example, do you know what the President’s Cabinet does? How about naming any of the writers of the Federalist Papers? Or, what is one right ONLY for U. S. citizens? The cards are sturdy and have a photograph of something in our history or representative of our government, country. I think they would be great for long trips with children or spot quizzes in middle schools. The cards are available for loan from the library, or get a set for yourself at the U. S. Government Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov/index.jsp). There are several companion items that may catch your interest.
State Art Collection 1987-2006 (South Carolina Arts Commission) is only the second comprehensive retrospective publication of the State Art Collection. Its focus, rightly, is on works purchased since 1987 and traces important milestones and events since the inception of the collection in 1967. The works were collected for two exhibits at the Sumter Gallery of Art and Patriot Hall Galleries in 2006. In the essay on the collection David Houston, former Visual Arts Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission, sees a revival of realism, crafts, pottery, and sculpture. Native American art and the Women’s Movement were instrumental in developing crafts into art and pottery as identity. The book includes short biographical notes on the artists.
Biennial Directory of Special Purpose Districts in South Carolina this is the 2008 edition of the Secretary of State’s directory of districts that provide governmental functions or are rural community water districts, but do not include any state agency, department, commission or school district. Listed for each district are services, contact information, some financial information, board members, and selection method. There is an index by name. The directory is available on the Secretary of State’s website and will be in the SCSL catalog.
Gangs and Crime in South Carolina: How Much, How Bad? SC Dept of public safety, office of justice programs 2009 provides information about criminal activity attributed to gangs. It brings together material on victims of gang activity, gang offenders, and estimates of gang membership in South Carolina’s prison population. The report shows that gang related incidents increased 996% from 1998 to 2007. Other statistics are just as staggering: gang membership increased 184% from 2000 to 2008. The department concludes that the volume of gang crime is relatively small, but the rate of increase points to a serious problem.
Time to celebrate! The National Pony Express (NPEA) is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first ride of the pony express! Through 2010 NPEA will conduct several events, leading to an actual ride from San Francisco, California leaving on Sunday, June 6 and arriving at St. Joseph, Missouri on June 26.
American Place, the Historic American Building Survey at Seventy-five Years. This is an exhibition of historic and current photographs and drawings of sixty-one American buildings that represent fading currents in American society. The Survey was established in 1933 to create a public archive of America’s architectural heritage. The surveys, and this document, consist of measured drawings, historical reports, and large-format black and white photographs. I think the book is valuable even just for the photos! It is a great trip down memory lane.
State employees and libraries may request these documents on loan, or come by the library to see them.
10.14.09
Yet More on Flu
Rainy days in Columbia make us remember that fall has come to the Midlands. And, with fall, comes the flu season. With the appearance of Swine Flu (H1N1 to some), the media has inundated us with information, warnings, advisories, and accounts of outbreaks. However, some of us (thankfully!) haven’t experienced a really “bad” case of flu in quite some time. (This is probably due more to luck than to good hygiene or genes, and to the advancement of science and medicine such that most flus are no longer life-threatening to healthy individuals.) But, this year’s strains look to be more aggressive and more debilitating, so maybe yet another review of where to find information quickly is worth reading. This article will not be comprehensive, but includes mention of some sites up just last week. The websites mentioned here are intended for SC state employees or for others in positions of giving others information (librarians, teachers and mothers come to mind).
Locally, SCDHEC has excellent material and links. Did you know about the Medical University of South Carolina questionnaire to help assess your symtoms? This page is new and I found it easier to use and less alarmist than the Microsoft questionnaire licensed by Emory University.
EBSCO, a major provider of databases of journal articles and other licensed material, has posted an Influenza Evidence-Based Information Portal that will provide information from DynaMed™, Nursing Reference Center™, and Patient Education reference Center ™. This means free information for clinicians, nurses, and patients worldwide!
MedlinePlus has a new interactive tutorial on Influenza available. The tutorial can be viewed with sound, can be played as a self-running presentation, or can open to a pdf file. It is very easy to read and understand and may help relieve fears or give instructions to senior citizens and children. Of course, MedlinePlus has tons of other excellent resources on the topic.
However, mention must be made of the standard sources of information, CDC, and WHO. CDC Human Swine Influenza Information Page has brochures available for printing. WHO has three pages to note: Human Swine Flu website, Disease Outbreak News , and Swine Flu Questions and Answers, which is a nice pdf that can be printed as a handout.
But remember, referral to a health care professional is the best medicine.
10.07.09
New Documents Set Standards for Excellence!
We have received two documents that will set the standard for “notable.” (Most of you know of our Notable State Documents Awards we announce in the spring.) One is from an agency that regularly has outstanding publications. The other (we say with pride!) is from the Library!
South Carolina Day by Day. Family Literacy Activity Calendar.
The State Library has produced, with a host of partners, a beautiful calendar with ideas for activities to encourage literacy and learning in families. The calendar has original artwork by Helen Correll of Spartanburg, SC. Each page of the calendar, which follows the school year, has a recommended activity to share, such as “Explain what the word veteran means,” or “Go outdoors and enjoy a picnic. How many square items do you have and how many circles do you have?” These are small ideas, but one could imagine a family sharing even a few moments together over the topics. Throughout the months are illustrations—the food pyramid, a plate of peas, books (of course!), a colorful monkey—to catch a child’s interest. The calendar is not associated with a particular year. Each month has boxes for weeks, but no dates. Thus, it could be used again and again, particularly with young children. The calendars are being distributed to public libraries and several other outlets, and is available for purchase. Come by the State Library to see it!
Beautiful Places. The Timeless Beauty of South Carolina State Parks.
This book, published by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Toursim, is a coffee table quality showpiece of South Carolina treasures! The book is by Chad Prosser, with help by Jon Holloway (photography), Cal Harrison, and a forward by Rudy Mancke, and it will be a book to display and cherish, or use to persuade businesses and outsiders just how wonderful our state is! It is for loan from the State Library, or get your own from the agency. But, watch it carefully: you don’t want this one walking away!
09.25.09
September Documents: ETV gives us some programs!
The Library is pleased to announce that it has received several dvds from SCETV! These programs are produced entirely by the agency and aired on public broadcasting stations around the state. The dvds are also for sale at the agency website, http://etvstore.org/. Received in the library are copies of “G-Man, the Rise and Fall of Melvin Purvis,” “A True Likeness,” (Richard Samuel Roberts), “Chasing the Swamp Fox” (Francis Marion), and “Pee Wee,” (Donald Henry Gaskins), all from the Carolina Stories programming. Check it out!
Other documents received in the State Library include:
South Carolina Fish Consumption Advisories 2009, subtitled, “Fish smart! Eat Smart! It’s for your health,” is a colored publication explaining the dangers that may be present in fish our waterways. The book contains information and drawings on high risk groups, FAQs about fishing and eating fish, maps, and a list of advisories for every water body in South Carolina. There are also drawings of common fish. This is a handy little book that will appeal to young and old!
America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2009, is a compendium of indicators illustrating both the promises and the difficulties confronting our nation’s young people. Forty indicators are reviewed to describe family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. Each of the summaries include charts showing trends and changes. For example, in 1979, less than 10% of children ages 5-17 spoke a language other than English at home or had difficulty speaking English. In 2007, the percent rose to 21%. For 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in 2008, the percentage of those reporting smoking dropped from a high of over 20% in 1996 and 1997 to just over 10% in 2008. And, in 2007, black, non-Hispanic children had the highest rates of substantiated child maltreatment reports.
Congressional Pictorial Directory (111 Congress). Need a photo of your representatives? This handy book is mostly color photos of the Congress by state. Included are state delegations and alphabetical lists.
From the National Center for Educational Statistics we recently received 2 annual compilations of information on the state of education and of students. The Condition of Education 2009 covers 46 indicators showing developments and trends in student participation, persistence, performance, and achievement, and resources or environments of education and learning. The Digest of Education Statistics 2008 compiles statistical information on schools, colleges, teachers, enrollments, graduates, educational attainment, finances, funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons. Both publications are available under Annual Reports at the NCES website http://nces.ed.gov/.
09.16.09
The Citadel, South Carolina’s Military College
The Citadel is South Carolina’s military college, tracing its history back to 1822. It sits on 300 acres of land on the Ashley River and today offers 5 bachelor’s degrees in 18 areas, 6 master’s degrees in 13 areas, and one specialist degree in 2 areas. It has been designated an Essential Military College, and its ROTC detachments offer commissions in th Army, Air Force, Marine corps, or Navy. The Citadel has a long history of contributing its public documents to the State Library. This month the Library received some unique items that document the past year at the school, including the impressive graduation ceremony.
Alumni News (Spring) includes photos of the graduating class and of Citadel fathers and grandfathers presenting diplomas.
The Citadel Fact Book 2008 provides a ready source of information about the College, including history, personnel, statistics, and finances. This edition is spiral bound with tabbed sections for easy use. Color charts and diagrams add to the presentation.
The Gold Star Journal 2009 showcases exemplary scholary nonfiction works of the students.
Finally, the school sends the Library one copy of its Sphinx, the yearbook which is a truly beautiful collection of text and photographs of the students, the school, the faculty and officers, and the local surroundings. A beautiful book!
