Public Libraries in South Carolina
United States
Public Libraries in South Carolina
Find public libraries across South Carolina — hours, addresses, digital resources and free programs near you.
17
Cities Covered
18
Libraries Listed
Free
Library Cards
South Carolina public libraries are coordinated by the South Carolina State Library (Columbia, est. 1929), which distributes state and federal funding to library systems across all 46 counties and provides statewide digital access through DISCUS — South Carolina's Virtual Library, a free 24/7 online library available to every resident. Libraries are organized as county-based systems, from the 11-branch Greenville County Library System serving the state's most populous county, to single-branch systems in smaller counties like Aiken, Anderson, Florence, Orangeburg, and Myrtle Beach. Use the directory below to find hours, addresses, and free digital services at your nearest library.
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More South Carolina Libraries
⭐ Featured Library
Greenville County Library System — Hughes Main Library
Hughes Main Library is the flagship branch of the Greenville County Library System, which serves South Carolina's most populous county (over 525,000 residents) through 11 locations. The system offers extensive local history and genealogy collections, digital resources, community programming, and a homebound delivery service for residents unable to visit in person.
About Public Libraries in South Carolina
South Carolina's public library network is built on county-based systems, each governed locally and supported by the South Carolina State Library — the official state agency established by the legislature in 1929 and headquartered at 1500 Senate Street in Columbia. The State Library distributes state and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to the county systems, provides consulting and professional development to librarians, and operates Talking Book Services for print-disabled residents across all 46 counties.
Every South Carolina resident benefits from DISCUS — South Carolina's Virtual Library, a suite of 97+ subscription databases funded by the South Carolina General Assembly and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. Available free at scdiscus.org around the clock, DISCUS includes research tools, full-text magazines, maps, videos, eBooks, online tutoring through Tutor.com, and curriculum-aligned content for K–12 students and teachers. Most county library systems also participate in SC LENDS, a shared catalog linking 20 library systems statewide so cardholders can discover and borrow items from collections beyond their home county.
This directory covers public library locations across South Carolina, from the multi-branch Greenville and Anderson County systems to single-branch county libraries in communities like Darlington, Kingstree, and Walterboro. Each city page lists verified hours, addresses, phone numbers, and links to digital services — everything you need to plan a visit or access resources from home.
📚 What South Carolina Libraries Offer
- 📖 Books, DVDs, audiobooks & magazines
- 💻 Digital eBooks & audiobooks (Libby / OverDrive)
- 🔍 DISCUS — 97+ statewide research databases, free for all SC residents
- 🎬 Streaming films (Kanopy or Hoopla)
- 📡 Free Wi-Fi & public computers
- 👶 Children’s storytimes & programs
- 🎓 Adult learning & literacy programs
- 📚 Interlibrary loan via SC LENDS (20 systems)
🗺 Quick Facts
| Cities covered | 17 |
| Libraries listed | 18 |
| Digital platform | Libby / OverDrive (SC LENDS) |
| Research databases | DISCUS — SC's Virtual Library (scdiscus.org) |
| Streaming | Kanopy / Hoopla |
| Library card cost | Free for residents |
Free Digital Resources for South Carolina Residents
📚 DISCUS — South Carolina's Virtual Library
DISCUS (Digital Information for South Carolina Users) is a free, state-funded online library available to every South Carolina resident 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at scdiscus.org. Funded by the South Carolina General Assembly through the K–12 School Technology Initiative and supplemented by federal IMLS grants, DISCUS provides equal access to information regardless of income or location. The collection spans 97+ subscription databases covering academic research, full-text magazines, maps, videos, eBooks, and educational tools for all ages — including Tutor.com for free live tutoring and Britannica resources for students and teachers.
South Carolina residents can access DISCUS directly at scdiscus.org using a valid South Carolina public library card, or through a school or college login. No fee is ever charged. Public library cardholders can also borrow eBooks and digital audiobooks through Libby / OverDrive via SC LENDS, the shared catalog connecting 20 county library systems — meaning one card can unlock collections across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Special services at South Carolina libraries
Beyond books, many South Carolina public libraries offer these services — browse the verified, up-to-date list for each: