Dear students,

The University of South Carolina Libraries welcome you (back) to campus!  The faculty librarians and staff at University Libraries look forward to collaborating with you on your scholarly information needs.  A few highlights for those new to USC (or in need of a refresher) about our services for students:

• Thomas Cooper Library (TCL) is our main campus library.  All USC students are welcome.  TCL has seven levels (five underground) which house collections, offices, classrooms, tech facilities, and spaces for our partners (Student Success Center, Center for Teaching Excellence, and the Center for Civil Rights History and Research).  Be sure to bring your CarolinaCard for access!
• Our Instruction and Outreach Librarians are friendly and knowledgeable.  They are here to help you find and use relevant, trusted resources for your coursework.  You can contact them via chat, email, or phone.
• TCL has seating on all levels in a variety of configurations.  We have over 2,000 seats available in single quiet spaces, group study rooms, and more.  You can reserve a study room here.
• You can borrow selected textbooks used in many USC courses free on the main level of TCL.  We also have laptops and chargers available for self-checkout, and we lend devices like an Oculus Go or GoPro camera (or other tech equipment), all on the main level.
• The TCL Technology Lounge on Level 5 has a variety of specialized software and hardware for your use, including both an audio and video recording studio.  Our staff are happy to assist you in using the equipment.
• The Music Library serves students and faculty in the School of Music and is located in the School’s building, with expert staff to assist you.
• USC Special Collections, consisting of the Irvin Department of Rare Books, the South Carolina Political Collections, the Moving Image Research Collection, Oral History, and the South Caroliniana Library, contain an extensive array of one-of-a-kind manuscripts, personal papers, interviews and oral histories, rare books, photographs, sound recordings, films, maps, and many other physical and digital objects documenting natural history, the history of books and printing, literary collections, and the history of South Carolina.  The curatorial experts who steward these collections can help you discover and use these unique items for your own coursework.
• Throughout the year, we offer workshops, exhibits, lectures, film showings, readings, and more.  Check out our calendar for the latest offerings.
• Working remotely?  Whether from your off-campus residence, at home, or studying or traveling abroad, our many electronic resources are available 24/7.  See this page for information on using our collections wherever you or your students may be.

 

I hope this gives you some sense of our offerings.  Follow us on social media for updates on workshops, resources, and other services.  Our YouTube channel also has tutorials, collection highlights, and more.  We look forward to seeing you!

With best regards,

David Banush
Dean of Libraries