Library and Information Science Commons^™

Caroliniana Columns - Spring 2026, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Fall Events Recap ... p.2

Letter from the President ... p. 4

Report from the Director/Letter from the Dean of Libraries ... p. 5

Echoes of Independence: 250 Years of Revolution and Memorialization ... p. 6

Primary Sources: Authors Rely on SCL Holdings for Their Research ... p. 14

A Dream Deferred: The Art and Activism of Edwin Augustus Harleston by M. Akua McDaniel ... p. 14

The Conise Guide to South Carolina State Government by Vincent Sheheen ... p. 15

South Carolina Scalawags by Hyman Rubin III ... p. 16

Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness …

We Pass It On”: The Information Journey Of Black Single Mothers With Terminal Degrees – A Soundtrack Of Struggles, Successes, And Resilience, Kiera O'Shea

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, Black single mothers have played pivotal roles in their families and communities, often navigating societal systems that were not designed to include them. Systemic barriers including unemployment, wage inequality, educational inequity, and mass incarceration have contributed to a disproportionate number of Black children being raised in single-parent households, compounding the challenges Black women face when pursuing higher education. And yet Black single mothers with terminal degrees keep going — not simply despite those barriers, but through them, around them, and beyond them.

This study investigated the information behavior of Black single mothers with terminal degrees, examining how they figured …

Navigating Digital Margins: Folk Theories Of Content Moderation And The Information Practices Of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Communities On Tiktok, Valerie Angela Vera

Theses and Dissertations

Content moderation can reinforce stigma and limit access to much-needed information, including information on nonsuicidal self-injury. Despite its prevalence, the behavior remains highly stigmatized, prompting individuals to turn to social media platforms like TikTok for social support and harm reduction information. However, as algorithms are known to disproportionately moderate stigmatized content, users must navigate a careful balance between visibility and concealment, altering their information practices to avoid detection. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study explored how users navigate content moderation, negotiate visibility, and adapt their information practices in anticipation of and in response to moderation to create …

University Libraries Digital Preservation Framework, University Of South Carolina Libraries

University Libraries Policies and Reports

The Digital Preservation Policy Framework establishes the University of South Carolina (USC) Libraries as a trusted steward of its digital assets for future researchers and patrons. It guides strategic planning and supports collection development within the University Libraries, making explicit the Libraries’ commitment to preserving digital assets in its collections. The audience for the Framework includes USC faculty, staff, students, and patrons. The policies and procedures derived from this Framework are attainable, consistent, and actionable.

Cisheterosexism In Lgbtqia+ Health Resource Guides, Vanessa Kitzie, Olivia Reed, Amirezza Kalantari

Faculty Publications

Cisheterosexism in LGBTQIA+ Health Resource Guides Vanessa Kitzie, Amirezza Kalantari, Olivia Reed University of South Carolina, School of Information Science [email protected] Limited healthcare resources lead many LGBTQIA+ people to peer networks, often accessed via search engines to find community-created health resource websites [1–3]. Academic library guides benefit privileged LGBTQIA+ identities [4], but little is known about community guides, which may reinforce cisheterosexist narratives, causing stigma and stress [5, 6]. This study addresses this gap by scraping Google results for LGBTQIA+ health resources across US states, examining how cisheterosexism shapes health topics, geography, and representation of LGBTQIA+ populations. We hypothesize that …

Wheels Up: Mobilizing Ideas And Partnership Through The Richland Library Bike Maintenance Clinic, Phillip Windsor

South Carolina Libraries

Using the Bike Maintenance Clinic at the Richland Library as both example and object lesson, I hope to offer practical strategies to help other professionals identify key community partnerships, gauge community interest, and consider program scalability for similar programming in their libraries.

And Then There Were Two: Navigating Library Services Through Institutional Change, Joni Addis

South Carolina Libraries

Based on an SCLA conference presentation, this article reflects on one small academic library’s journey through university-wide rightsizing and the impact it had on library services. The loss of positions necessitated across-the-board changes in the division of responsibilities and library operations. In the current climate of higher education in the United States, library staff at other institutions should prepare now for possible staffing challenges in the future. Practical takeaways learned through navigating institutional change are discussed, along with an action plan for library administrators and leaders.

Design For Everyone: Teaching Canva In The Public Library, Phillip Windsor

South Carolina Libraries

Canva is a free, user-friendly tool for an array of design products, from slideshows to social media to print marketing. At Richland Library, we have seen success developing this as a new program offering and have grown it from an introductory class to various design workshops in response to community desire. In this paper, we will look at the origins of this program, trace its growth and development in response to patron needs, and possible applications for others seeking to develop similar program offerings in their own library settings.

Fall 2025 Issue Co-Editor Letter, Cambria Sheridan, Mckenzie M. Lemhouse

South Carolina Libraries

No abstract provided.

Workplace Technology As A Threat To Worker Identity: Evidence From Public Libraries, Darin S. Freeburg, Katie Klein

Faculty Publications

A library worker’s sense of who they are at work is the result of a dynamic and complex construction. These work identities serve several functions, including the cultivation of a sense of belonging, self-esteem, meaning, and competence. While a significant amount of research has considered the role of other human actors in the construction of work identity, including its impact on salient identity functions, less research has considered the role of nonhuman actors. One nonhuman actor likely to play a pivotal role is workplace technology. In this study, 52 public library workers with identities they considered to be underrepresented, minoritized, …

Identifying And Understanding The Barriers To Sexual Health Information Seeking Experienced By Young Adults (Ages 18-26) Using Social Media, Alexander Nicolas Vera

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uses a qualitative, constructionist approach to examine the sociotechnical and cultural dynamics that shape digital sexual health-seeking practices of young adults. Guided by information practices and affordance theory, the research draws on semi-structured interviews and digital walkthroughs with 20 young adults (ages 18–26) from a convenience sample of young adults residing in South Carolina. Participants described how they use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit not only to locate information but to assess its trustworthiness, inclusivity, and personal relevance in real time. Through in-depth accounts and screen-based demonstrations via digital walkthroughs, the study examines how participants engage in …

Open Tdm: How The Open Movement Is Transforming The Way Academic Libraries Support Text And Data Mining Research, Kate F. Boyd, John Knox

Faculty and Staff Publications

Edited volume, published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the book provides librarians with the skills necessary to support researchers using text and data mining (TDM). Chapter 24 focuses on the open access aspects of TDM and how librarians and scholars are assisting each other in learning these new skills. Librarians from USC and UNC Wilmington share their paths to understanding and supporting TDM on their campuses.

Information Literacy In Charter Schools: An Institutional Ethnography, Katherine Klein

Theses and Dissertations

A strength of US charter schools is their opportunity to carve out an educational niche. Without the same regulation and district control present in traditional public schools, a charter school’s approach can seriously impact how the school addresses information literacy. In our current culture, we are saturated with media and technology, and students learn about navigating, evaluating, and using information responsibly and creatively at school. However, there is currently no published research on how charters do this critical work with their students, particularly with fewer libraries and librarians in the sector. This study uses institutional ethnography to map ruling relations …

Who Is A Scientist? Gender And Racial Biases In Google Vision Ai, Ehsan Mohammadi Ph.D., Yizhou Cai, Alamir Novin Ph.D., Valerie Lookingbill, Ehsan Soltanmohammadi

Faculty Publications

With the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life, there is a need to study the biases of AI. Specifically, understanding the biases of AI in computer vision is important due to visual content's role in creating classes and categories that can shape people’s perspectives. Without supervision, such classifications can lead to gradual and intangible negative impacts of AI discrimination in the real world. Demographics at the intersection of gender and racial biases may experience unforeseen multiplier effects due to how AI compounds big data without accounting for implicit biases. To quantitatively verify this multiplier effect of biases, this …

Revitalizing Night Hours: Building Community Through Interactive Events And Gatherings, Susan R. Myers

South Carolina Libraries

Libraries are evolving into vibrant community hubs through innovative programming. This article highlights the efforts of a library evening assistant at Spartanburg Methodist College library, who revitalized night hours by introducing engaging activities such as gaming tournaments, trivia nights, and community meals. These programs increased student attendance and fostered a sense of community, demonstrating the library's role as both a social and learning environment.

Cultivate Community With Bilingual Programs And Services, Aliza Peryea, Cassie Welch

South Carolina Libraries

Patrons of all backgrounds feel welcome in the library when bilingual programs and services are prioritized. By providing programs and services in multiple languages, libraries bridge the language barrier and create more opportunities for the community. The Charleston County Public Library centers equity, diversity, and inclusion in its practices by prioritizing bilingual programs and services; creating and maintaining local partnerships; and sustainably enhancing library services for all.

Successful Subject Headings For Moving Image Resources, Jen M. Jones, Charlotte G. Grubbs, Scott M. Dutkiewicz

South Carolina Libraries

Based on an SCLA conference presentation, this article explores principles for assigning subject headings to moving images. Using a digital metadata-inspired graphic organizer, authors discuss case studies illustrating the Library of Congress’ Subject Headings (LCSH) Manual, instruction sheet H 2230, noting commonly omitted facets and misinterpretations of subject and subdivision usage. Emphasis is on LCSH and instructions in LCSH authority records.

Caroliniana Columns - Spring 2025, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Have Digital Exhibit, Will Travel: “Forest to Furniture” featured at Sumter Museum in early 2025 … p.3

Officers at War: Rethinking Southern Masculinity, Honor, and Violence in the Civil War Era / Dr. Patrick F. Doyle … p.10

Researching Politics, Finance, and Agricultural Subsidies in the Jim Crow Era / Robert Ferguson … p.14

The Unsung Heroes of History / Beth Bilderback … p.16

Primary Sources: Authors Rely on SCL Holdings for Their Research … p.20

The Cost of the Vote: George Elmore and the Battle for the Ballot … p.20

Empowering Communities: How Electric Cooperatives Transformed Rural South Carolina …

Healing Histories: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Practices In Libraries To Support Resilience And Recovery, Cearra Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the impact of public library closure on the Edgewood community in Columbia, South Carolina, an area with a rich history and significant ties to the two nearby historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Benedict College and Allen University. It explored the intergenerational effects of historical trauma through the lens of collective memory, as documented in oral histories from community members and public library staff. The research aimed to understand the implications of the library's absence in a marginalized community context, emphasizing how such closures can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Through oral histories, questionnaires, and interviews, the findings reveal …

Stories Between The Stacks: Current Black Women School Librarians' Lived Experiences, Cynthia R. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Black women school librarians navigate complex professional landscapes shaped by their lived experiences, intersecting identities, and systemic barriers. Despite their significant contributions to school librarianship, their perspectives remain largely absent from scholarly work. This qualitative study explored how the lived experiences and positionalities of Black women school librarians shape their practices. It addressed the critical gap in research on Black women school librarians. Grounded in Black Critical Theory (BlackCrit) and guided by Black feminist-womanist storytelling, this study employs a narrative approach to explore the experiences of four Black women school librarians in the Southeastern Region of the United States. Data …

On The Books In South Carolina Corpus: Acts Passed By The Sc General Assembly, 1868-1968, Identified By Machine Learning As Likely To Be Jim Crow Laws, Kate F. Boyd, Vandana Srivastava, Kristin Harrell, Christopher Frear, Jalen Freeman, Nitin Gupta, Taylor Callahan, Lance Dupre, Rebekah Turnmire, Bobby Donaldson

Faculty and Staff Publications

This corpus was created for a text analysis project, On the Books in South Carolina: Mining for Jim Crow Laws, a collections-as-data and machine learning project by the University of South Carolina Libraries (USC), sub awarded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for the period of May 2022 - December 2024. On the Books focused specifically on the laws passed during the Jim Crow Era, which is defined for this project as the period between Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement (1868-1968).

This corpus is the …

The Inevitability Of Ai: A Study Of Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions Of Ai Tools In Their Future Careers, Mónica Colón-Aguirre Ph.D., Kawanna Bright

Faculty Publications

Introduction. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools garner more attention every day, questions have arisen regarding their possible negative impacts in future job markets. Some predict a potential for massive job losses, especially in high-skilled jobs. This study seeks to explore undergraduate students’ perceptions of how these tools might affect their future careers.

Method. This study follows a case study design, employing phenomenological interviews as a research method. The data set was made up of interviews with 17 undergraduate students.

Analysis. Data were analysed by employing constant comparative analysis, with various rounds of coding including the creation of open, axial, and structural …

On The Books In South Carolina: Mining For Jim Crow Laws, Kate F. Boyd, Vandana Srivastava, Lance Dupre, Christopher Frear, Nitin Gupta, Bobby Donaldson

Faculty and Staff Publications

On the Books in South Carolina: Mining for Jim Crow Laws is a collections-as-data and machine learning project by the University of South Carolina Libraries (USC), sub awarded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for the period of May 2022 - December 2024. Following UNC’s steps from their first year of the grant, the USC project created a text corpus of South Carolina state legislature acts passed in the period from Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Movement (1868-1968). The USC team then utilized machine learning techniques to …

University Libraries Impact Report 2025, Leslie Haynsworth, Kristine Hontz, Abigail Cole

University Libraries Policies and Reports

A report on notable activities in University of South Carolina Libraries in 2025.

Libraries On The Front Lines: The Imperative For Disaster-Ready Information Professionals, Feili Tu-Keefner Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Libraries, particularly local public libraries, have evolved into hubs for community-first services, extending beyond traditional roles. Library personnel are now expected to act as first responders and crisis leaders during times such as natural disasters. This report documents the critical crisis leadership qualifications required for library personnel, identified through comprehensive research from 2015 to 2023. Findings from these situation-specific case studies call attention to the community’s needs for library services during emergencies, underscoring the requirement for LIS education to include disaster management. Continuing education (CE) is also critical in preparing information professionals for these essential roles.

Share Your Story; Good News From Sc Libraries, Virginia Cononie

South Carolina Libraries

Welcome to the third edition

of Share Your Story, where I am deeply grateful to present over 75 inspiring library stories from across our great state. Each story is a testament to the essential role libraries play in impacting communities and the lives of those they serve.

As you explore this collection, you'll discover a rich tapestry of experiences from school, public, and academic libraries. From community gardens to therapy dog visits, activities fostering the love of reading to donor funds well spent—these stories showcase the diverse ways libraries enrich our local communities.

These stories not only demonstrate Good News …

How To Improve Your Teen Space, Alex Bishop

South Carolina Libraries

No abstract provided.

Revitalizing The Curriculum Collection: A Collaborative Partnership Approach, Kimberly T. Foster, Eric Resnis

South Carolina Libraries

As K-12 education has increasingly focused on standardized testing, university curriculum centers have had to adjust their holding to offer more curricula-focused material. These collections can be vital for the development of pre-service teachers, who often need access to the learning materials that they will later use. This article explores the steps taken by a university library to revitalize a curriculum collection in order to offer more curriculum-based holdings for pre-service teachers to use.

Fall 2024 Issue Co-Editor Letter, Cambria Sheridan, Mckenzie M. Lemhouse

South Carolina Libraries

No abstract provided.

Book Review - Peddlers, Merchants, And Manufacturers: How Jewish Entrepreneurs Built Economy And Community In Upcountry South Carolina, Rebekah F. Darrah

South Carolina Libraries

Peddlers, Merchants, and Manufacturers: How Jewish Entrepreneurs Built Economy and Community in Upcountry South Carolina by Furman University professor emerita Diane Catherine Vecchio weaves the story of Jewish innovation and business in the Upstate from the antebellum period to the modern day. Largely focusing on Greenville and Spartanburg, the book follows Upstate Jewish communities as they helped shape the state’s economy for over a hundred years.