South Carolina H 5041: Success of SC Public Libraries

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5041 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 28, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5041

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

To recognize and celebrate the historical and 
ongoing contributions of South Carolina Public Libraries and to encourage 
continued support and investment for the benefit of all the palmetto state's 
citizens.

Whereas, just over 
three hundred and twenty-five years ago, in 1700, the colonial legislature of 
South Carolina became the first governing body in what is now known as the 
United States to enact legislation establishing the intent for a public library; 
and

Whereas, in 1943, 
during the midst of World War II, the South Carolina General Assembly pioneered 
with the Virginia General Assembly to institute state aid to public libraries 
for the first time in the United States; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina General Assembly recognizes the indispensable role public libraries 
play today as centers of reading and learning for all ages and backgrounds, as 
places for indispensable public-access technology, and as meeting venues for 
entire communities; and

Whereas, South Carolina's 
public libraries, according to the latest annual count provided by our State 
Library, had over 10.8 million library visits, an overall circulation of 
26,238,615 print and nonprint items, and 58,891 total programs attended by 
1,481,804 persons with the majority of such activities - 30,395 programs - 
benefiting children (0-18 years); and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly encourage continued and increased 
investment in South Carolina's public library systems to ensure that they 
remain vibrant, modern, and accessible for both current and future generations 
and congratulate South Carolina public librarians for the outstanding job they 
do in serving South Carolina's citizens. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the 
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and celebrate 
the historical and ongoing contributions of South Carolina public libraries and 
encourage continued support and investment for the benefit of all the Palmetto 
State's citizens.

Be it further resolved that 
a copy of this resolution be presented to the South Carolina State Library, 
each county and regional public library system, and appropriate local 
government bodies to share with their communities.

----XX---

This web page was last updated on January 28, 2026 at 03:08 PM