May 2020
CALL TO ACTION - ALL SC NONPROFITS

The  accelerateSC Task Force , and  its leaders , are assisting the Governor in reopening our state and deploying $1.9 Billion in Federal CARES Act funds coming to the state.

Because there isn’t a separate survey for nonprofits, yesterday we wrote asking nonprofits to complete the State Chamber's small business survey that will inform accelerateSC's decisions.

There was such support for this idea that JoAnn Turnquist (Central Carolina Community Foundation's president who sits on the Response Committee), working with the Chamber and task force leadership, was able to secure an extension. 

Nonprofits now have till end of day Sunday, May 3rd to share their needs and concerns about reopening with accelerateSC.  

3,000 small businesses have responded and   survey results to-date reported. 

To be heard, please complete the  State Chamber's survey .
  • THE SURVEY NOW CLOSES SUNDAY, MAY 3.
  • On question four, choose "Other" and then type in "nonprofit." 
  • This will allow sorting of responses to capture our sector's needs. 
  • Submit one response per organization. 
  • Questions focus on SBA loan applications, financial needs and reopening concerns.
  • PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SHORT SURVEY NOW.
  • Help secure 200 - 400 nonprofits responses.Share with other operating nonprofits who need resources to serve our communities.
Join United for Libraries next Thursday, May 7th at 1 p.m. for "How Foundations and Friends Can Support Their Libraries During COVID-19." Friends & Foundation members are welcome to learn tips on supporting your library's changing needs during the pandemic.


FOSCL Supports Newest American Library Association Literary Landmark in Aiken, SC
ALA Literary Landmark plaque at
St. Thaddeus Church.
Dr. Tom Mack and Rev. Grant Wiseman
By the time of his death in 1859, James Mathewes Legare must have thought that his life had been largely a failure. During the 35 years allotted to him by fate, he never managed to solidify his reputation as an author or to exploit the practical application of his inventions. How he would have relished recent developments in his adopted city!

This spring in Aiken, the board of governors of the South Carolina Academy of Authors was set to induct Legare posthumously into the state’s literary hall of fame in a dinner ceremony scheduled for April 18 at the Etherredge Center. That public event was canceled due to the current health crisis, but Legare’s name was nevertheless added to a list of distinguished writers honored by induction since 1986:  www . scacademyofauthors.com .

Read the full article by Dr. Tom Mack HERE

Ethel Martin Bolden
COLUMBIA CITY OF WOMEN HONOREE
Beginning in 1944, Bolden established libraries in all but three of Columbia's black elementary schools, where she placed particular emphasize on the collecting of books documenting America’s black history. This ethos continued when she was asked to integrate Dreher High School in 1968 as its head librarian.

Read the full article HERE
Image courtesy South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

Barrier-breaking librarian. Community historian. Ethel Martin Bolden carried the mantle of many responsibilities, but on a June weekend in 1986, she was just another graduate of Booker T. Washington High School’s class of 1936. As a tour bus full of her classmates listened, Bolden reflected on the progress Columbia had made in those 50 years. “You know, when Charles [my husband] and I used to go to the movies, we’d go up to the capitol afterwards, but they wouldn’t let us sit down in there,” she recalled. More than 50 years later, when Bolden became one of two faculty members to integrate Dreher High School in 1968, she finally had a seat at the table. Some things though, hadn’t changed at all.

Columbia City of Women's mission: T o connect Columbia residents of all backgrounds, and all gender identities, to the rich legacies of our all-too-often undersung women leaders, whose contributions are woven into the fabric of this city.
For up to date information on library services in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina State Library website.

Volunteer Board Positions Available
Executive Board Openings

Treasurer - open October 2020 (moved due to COVID-19)


President - open April 2021

Board Meetings are 5 times a year at the South Carolina State Library in Columbia. Executive Board positions are 2 year terms.

Support South Carolina libraries by being active on the state level!
Sound like something you, a staff member or a Friend would be interested in? Nominate them or yourself by emailing fosclpresident@gmail.com!
Show and Tell Your Legislator Campaign
Extended to National Library Legislative Day 2021
  • All SC Libraries are welcomed to participate in the Show and Tell your Legislator Campaign. Libraries will fill out the following form, submit a narrative and photo about their library. These narratives and photos will be compiled into a book for each District. https://forms.gle/pcCx9AkKAM7uPrFY8
  • Once completed each book will be open access and downloadable for all South Carolina Libraries. 
  • These books will be printed and given to district-specific Federal Legislators at National Library Legislative Day 2021.
FOSCL Grant Applications
Deadline May 31, 2020
The Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL) offers grants in amounts up to $250 for support of library Friends organizations in SC. The grants are intended to assist friends groups with an emphasis on the following purposes:
 
Expenses related to the formation/incorporation of a group
Expenses related to obtaining 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status for a group
Expenses related to the revitalization of a “dormant” group
Expenses related to the initiation of new or innovative programs/technology designed to foster local library support which are principally sponsored by a library friends group
 
Friends Groups submitting applications must be a current member of FOSCL. 

Need to renew your FOSCL membership?
Friends of SC Libraries | fosclpresident@gmail.com | www.foscl.org