Collection Finding Aids
Our ArchivesSpace finding aid repository contains information about individual collections. Search or browse to find primary sources, or learn more about our holdings at the collection level.
South Carolina Political Collections supports the study of contemporary government and society by collecting and making available archival materials and oral histories documenting South Carolina government and political activities at the local, state, and national levels, primarily since World War II, and by providing relevant programming for scholars, students and the public.
COVID-19 and the Hollings Library
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), access to South Carolina Political Collections holdings will be by appointment only. The Smith Reading Room will have limited hours, from 11 am – 1 pm, and all users will be required to register and request items in advance. Given the fluid and evolving nature of the situation, we reserve the right to change the access policy, and users must contact us to confirm their visit with SCPC.
For more information, please see our Policies and Procedures at the bottom of this page.
For remote research assistance or to plan a future visit, please contact scpc@mailbox.sc.edu.
There are several ways to access materials in our collections. The tools below can help you find what you're looking for. Please note that any collection marked as "closed" is not available for research until its arrangement and description have been completed.
Our ArchivesSpace finding aid repository contains information about individual collections. Search or browse to find primary sources, or learn more about our holdings at the collection level.
Unique, digitized materials from Political Collections are accessible online through the Digital Collections repository.
The library catalog contains records for many of the collections housed at SCPC.
At SCPC, we’re developing online guides for popular topics and to supplement some exhibits. These guides highlight issues that might be of interest to our patrons and represent only a small fraction of the topics a researcher could immerse themselves in at our repository.
Moving image materials from SCPC are housed at University Libraries' Moving Image Research Collections (MIRC). The footage is available to view online in MIRC's DVR.
SCPC is located in the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library and is accessed through Thomas Cooper Library. Paid visitor parking is available in the Bull Street garage. Please contact us in advance of your research visit.
The Hollings Library is a research and study facility. The services provided for the University community and public include access to our historic collections, copying, tours, and special library events. It is expected that no patron will impinge on the rights of other patrons. The rules outlined in this form ensure the best and most fair use of the Library for all patrons. Please report any violations to the reference staff. Read policy.
Complete the Imaging Services Form [pdf] to request photocopy or digital imaging services.
SCPC reserves the right, at its discretion and without explanation, to set special
prices on material involving unusual difficulty. For more information, please see
our Photography and Digital Imaging Services Policy. Fees are slightly higher for
offsite requests requiring staff to perform research and locate material to be duplicated.
Fee Schedule [pdf]
The location of materials quoted or referred to in published works should be properly noted. Researchers should use this format for citations:
[Item Description], [Collection Title], South Carolina Political Collections,
University of South Carolina.
Footnotes clearly indicating the location of material will help other researchers and archivists.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), access to SCPC’s collections will be by appointment only. The Smith Reading Room will have limited hours, from 11 am – 1 pm, and all users will be required to register and request items in advance. Given the fluid and evolving nature of the situation, we reserve the right to change the access policy, and users must contact us to confirm their visit with SCPC
Once arrangements have been made, a member of the department will plan to meet with the researcher at the front of Thomas Cooper Library on the appointed day and time of the researcher’s visit.
Researchers need to register for the Smith Reading Room prior to their first visit during the academic year. Be sure to bring a photo ID (academic identification, driver’s license, or passport).
Researchers and other visitors should also be aware of the general policies of the Hollings Library, including the prohibition on food and drink. Only pencils, paper, laptops and cameras are allowed in the Smith Reading Room. Self-service lockers are available for securely storing coats, purses, bags and other personal items.
Researchers must request items in advance of arrival. Items can be requested by emailing the department in advance of visit. Items will then be on hold in the Smith Reading Room for supervised use. Descriptions of items are available on the SCPC website and through ArchivesSpace finding aids. Given the safety precautions under COVID-19, items must be used within a single visit, afterward items will be quarantined for 3 days to avoid any potential transmission. Researchers not connected with the university, or traveling from a distance, are asked to contact the department ahead of their visit to ensure that the needed items and relevant staff help is available when they arrive. Researchers can request materials in advance by emailing scpc@mailbox.sc.edu.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), SCPC will be suspending all in person classroom activities. Faculty and instructors who wish to develop a distance education option for their courses to have digital access to special collections material are encouraged to contact Ann Abney: aabney@mailbox.sc.edu