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2026 News Archive

Big dig, massive expansion: Celebrating 50 years of Thomas Cooper Library Underground

Fifty years ago, Thomas Cooper Library got bigger - a lot bigger.

Old documents, new technology: Seeklight AI tool helps University Libraries transcribe handwritten text

At University Libraries, a new AI-enhanced tool is making the historical record more accessible - and giving student workers an opportunity to provide feedback that makes the tool even better.

Christina Deka and Chris Portwood earn University Libraries' 2026 SCoer Awards

McCausland College of Arts and Sciences faculty members Christina Deka and Chris Portwood are the 2026 recipients of University Libraries' SCoer Awards.

Read and Green agreement offers Open Access publication in ACS journals to USC-affiliated authors

How about: University Libraries expands Open Access options to include ACS hybrid journals.

Faculty, students report high satisfaction with Libraries in recent surveys

Two recent evaluations of University Libraries services and resources indicate that the campus community generally feels well served by the libraries, while also providing insight on areas for improvement.

"These are the people I come from": Newly digitized photo collection brings Columbia's 20th-century Black history to life.

A vast collection of newly digitized glass plate photo negatives taken by Richard Samuel Roberts have been digitized by University Libraries, offering community members and scholars a glimpse into the culture, social and economic history of Columbia, SC's oldest Black neighborhoods

University Libraries recognizes exemplary student work with 2026 Undergraduate Research Awards

Six University of South Carolina students have been honored by University Libraries with 2026 Undergraduate Research Awards.

Collecting Comic Book History: Honors Students get hands on experience in Oral History, Special Collections

A deep dive into a remarkable University Libraries collection and a local subculture gave a group of undergraduates a chance to hone their interviewing, research and storytelling skills.

Historic Partners: University Libraries and the Center for Civil Rights History and Research work together to make history accessible

A deep and evolving partnership with University of South Carolina Libraries has been central to the Center's ability to highlight South Carolina Civil Rights collections, bring this history to life for the campus community, and carry it far beyond the university's walls.

Libraries breakfast briefing explores the future of Open Access publishing at USC

Open Access publishing presents both opportunities and challenges for authors of scholarly monographs, and the University of South Carolina Libraries offered an opportunity for extensive discussion of both at an April 1 breakfast briefing.

NAIRR award expands and enhances University Libraries' capacity for AI training

The award gives members of the Libraries' Digital Research Services team access to the Vocareum platform, a virtual learning environment that facilitates hands-on learning and individuated instruction.

Open Educational Resources Summit helps faculty make course materials more affordable

The OER Summit provided information about how faculty can make the transition to similar materials that are available free of charge.

University Libraries partnership with Google Books enhances access to unique materials

A new partnership between University of South Carolina Libraries and Google Books will expand access to thousands of volumes from the Libraries' collections.

"It makes me so happy that our contribution can impact USC's nursing program": Zeigler Fund provides resources for Midwifery students

A privately funded endowment allowed University Libraries to quickly provide resources in support of the Midwifery program's coursework.

A Living Legacy: Dr. Donald Portnoy donates his collection to the Music Library

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Donald Portnoy, an internationally renowned composer and musician, has donated his personal collection of scores and papers to the Music Library at the University of South Carolina.

University Libraries welcomes Heather Potter as new Assistant Director of the South Caroliniana Library

Heather Potter has been named the Assistant Director of the South Caroliniana Library.

Three graduate students earn University Libraries 2026 Data Visualization Awards

Korebami Adebajo, a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering, and Ertan Ağaoğlu and Mehrnoush Mokhtarnejad, both students in the College of Information and Communications, are the winners of this year's University Libraries Graduate Student Data Visualization Awards.

University Libraries celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States with new exhibit

Through its collaborative yearlong exhibit Echoes of Independence: 250 Years of Revolution and Memorialization, University Libraries celebrates 250 years of revolution and memorialization, both in South Carolina and across the nation.

Breakfast Briefing: Open Access Publishing of Scholarly Monographs

Join us as we bring together library leaders, university press professionals, and faculty to explore practical strategies for expanding open access to USC-authored monographs.

"A great community and a great 22 years": Dale Glover retires as Libraries Supply Manager

When Dale Glover started working at University Libraries in 2003, he didn't expect to be here more than a few years. "I had made a promise to myself not to stay in any job for too long," he says.

Open Education Resources Summit

A free, one-day gathering for anyone interested in OER -- whether you're new to open resources or looking to deepen your practice.

Love Data Week 2026

SC Love Data Week is a collaborative celebration of research data hosted by Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, and University of South Carolina Libraries.

Histories and futures of reading: Honors students work with forgotten Rare Books marginalia

On Wednesday, December 23rd Honors college students from all majors gathered in the Hollings Library Program Room to present a semester's worth of their findings on some of the rarest materials in the world, detailing a unique experience for their friends, families and peers.

Library renovation plans get formal approval

Thomas Cooper Library will be renovated to bring its spaces and infrastructure up to date for the needs of tomorrow following action by the University's Board of Trustees last month.

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