Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded the South Carolina State Library a $2.1 million grant. The Library will administer the funds to programs that promote literary arts.
Awards are made to each state according to a population-based formula. States provide at least $1.00 for every $2.00 of federal support.
Highlights of how the IMLS funds will be used:
- South Carolina Humanities Council: Funds will support Let’s Talk About It, part of the South Carolina Public Library Literary Arts Program. Let’s Talk About It offers 24 book discussion series and are available at all South Carolina public libraries. Working particularly with smaller rural libraries on funding, promoting, and presenting these book discussion series, Let’s Talk About It reaches an underserved population.
Funds will also support the South Carolina Book Festival and the Palmetto Book Alliance. The festival promotes the literary heritage of South Carolina and the region. The Palmetto Book Alliance, an affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, seeks to establish itself as the clearinghouse for readers, writers, and all South Carolina literary events.
- South Carolina State Library: Funds will support the library’s role in children’s literacy programs and increases public awareness of valuable programming.
“The gift of reading is a vital part of educational and social development,” said Graham. “This grant will support programs that encourage and promote literacy among children and adults, and help bring the joy of reading to all South Carolinians.”
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