State Library Announces Library Value Calculator

How much do you pay out-of-pocket for the services your local library offers - $5, $10, or $15, or more? You might be surprised by what you find out by using the State Library’s new Library Value Calculator.

Library patrons can now visit the South Carolina Library Value Calculator and find out how much the library services used during a month equal in real dollar amounts. The calculator was adapted from the original Library Service Calculator provided by the Massachusetts Library Association. Visit http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/library-use-calculator and see how much your library’s services are worth to you!

Being an American Essay Competition

CONTEST GOAL: To explore the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the civic values that unite us as Americans.

ESSAY QUESTION: “What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American? Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story by discussing: a Founding document that reflects this value; a figure from American history who embodies this value; and ways you can personally put this value into practice.”

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE: Students in grades 9-12 who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and are either attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, being home-schooled, or participating in a GED or correspondence school program but are no older than 19 years of age.

ESSAY LENGTH: No more than 750 words.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Adherence to Essay Guidelines, Originality, Organization, Writing Style, Depth of Analysis

Deadline Dec. 1. Winners will be announced Spring 2009. Cash prizes up to $5,000 for students and their teachers.

View full contest details here.