Success of SC Public Libraries

2025-2026 Bill 5041: Success of SC Public Libraries - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5041
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Dillard, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G.M. Smith, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow
Document Path: LC-0417DG-EB26.docx
Introduced in the House on January 28, 2026
Introduced in the Senate on January 28, 2026
Adopted by the General Assembly on January 28, 2026
Summary: Success of SC Public Libraries
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/28/2026

House

Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate (
House Journal-page 399
)

1/28/2026

Senate

Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence (
Senate Journal-page 11
)

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legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/28/2026

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.

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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,

B
e it resolved by the House
of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

T
hat 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.

B
e 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 3:08 PM