Union County Carnegie Library

🏢 SCLENDS Library System · Union, South Carolina

Union County Carnegie Library

The Union County Carnegie Library is one of the oldest Carnegie-funded libraries in South Carolina — built in 1905 on East South Street, it was the first of 14 Carnegie libraries constructed in the state between 1905 and 1916, and it continues to serve Union County today as a member of the SCLENDS regional library network.

📞 (864) 427-7140🌐 unionlibrary.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 9am–6pm
Wednesday 9am–6pm
Thursday 9am–6pm
Friday 9am–3pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 300 East South Street, Union, SC 29379

Phone: (864) 427-7140

Website: unionlibrary.org

Plus Code: 866WP97H+CP (Union, SC)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Union County catalog →&🌐Library website & card info →&🎓DISCUS — SC's Virtual Library →

📖 About Union County Carnegie Library

The Union County Carnegie Library at 300 East South Street in Union, South Carolina is a landmark of the state's public library history. When steel magnate Andrew Carnegie began funding library buildings in South Carolina around 1905, Union's library was among the very first to be established — one of 15 Carnegie libraries built in South Carolina towns in the early twentieth century, giving the county free public library access generations before federal library legislation. Today the library is part of SCLENDS (South Carolina Library Network Delivery Service), a consortium of South Carolina public libraries that enables cardholders to borrow from member libraries across the state. Patrons also have free access to DISCUS — South Carolina's statewide digital library, providing full-text databases, eBooks, research tools and more to every resident at no cost.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Historic 1905 Carnegie building — one of the first Carnegie libraries in South Carolina, among the oldest surviving in the state
  • Member of SCLENDS — borrow from partner libraries across South Carolina with your Union County card
  • Free DISCUS access — South Carolina's statewide databases, eBooks and research tools for every resident
  • Open Tuesday through Saturday with daytime hours for students, job seekers and community members
  • Centrally located in Union County courthouse square area at 300 East South Street

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Union County cardholders get free statewide digital access through DISCUS and SCLENDS consortium resources:

&📚 Libby / OverDriveBorrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks through the SCLENDS shared digital collection via the Libby app.
&🔍 DISCUS — South Carolina's Virtual LibraryFree statewide access to databases, eBooks, magazines, and research tools for all SC residents at discus.edu.
&🎓 SC State Library eResourcesAdditional digital learning and research tools available to all South Carolina library cardholders.

📚 Services

  • SCLENDS consortium borrowing — request items from libraries across South Carolina
  • DISCUS statewide digital library access
  • Public computers and internet access
  • Reference and readers advisory
  • Children's and youth services
  • Community programs and meeting space
  • Interlibrary loan

🎸 Programs

  • Children's storytimes and youth programming
  • Summer reading program
  • Adult programs and community events
  • Genealogy and local history research assistance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Union County Carnegie Library and why is it historically significant?

The Union County Carnegie Library was built in 1905 with funding from Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, making it one of the first of 14 Carnegie libraries constructed in South Carolina between 1905 and 1916. Historical accounts note it as the oldest Carnegie library still serving its community in the state. Carnegie's grants gave small South Carolina towns like Union free public library buildings decades before federal library funding was widely available.

What is DISCUS and how does it help Union County residents?

DISCUS (South Carolina's Virtual Library) is a statewide program providing free access to full-text databases, eBooks, digital magazines and research tools to every resident of South Carolina. You can access DISCUS at home with your Union County library card, or without a card from inside the library. It covers topics from academic research to consumer information, homework help and job searching.

What is SCLENDS and how does it benefit Union County Library cardholders?

SCLENDS (South Carolina Library Network Delivery Service) is a statewide consortium of South Carolina public libraries. Union County Carnegie Library is a SCLENDS member, which means your Union County card lets you borrow materials from partner libraries across South Carolina, with items delivered to your home branch.

What days is the Union County Carnegie Library open?

The library is open Tuesday through Thursday 9 am–6 pm and Friday and Saturday 9 am–3 pm. The library is closed Monday and Sunday.

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