H 5041

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