What's New
SmartSearch, the tool that enables users to retrieve information from numerous DISCUS-provided products with a single search, is once again available on the DISCUS website. Instead of searching individual products, users can select one or more topic categories and search across multiple resources at one time.
Newsweek, the 80-year old weekly news magazine, announced in October 2012 that it would cease publication of its print magazine in favor of an all-digital format. The last print edition of Newsweek was made available with the December 31st issue.
As part of the South Carolina State Library's remodeling efforts, our web server will be periodically unavailable until Friday, December 14. The websites affected include our main website, DISCUS, WorkSC, StudySC, ReadSC, and DayByDaySC.
DISCUS and Britannica Digital Learning were recently featured on Walter Edgar’s Journal. DISCUS Program Director Amy Duernberger joined Dr. Edgar to talk about this unique set of learning resources, how DISCUS came to be, and the scope and reliability of its content. Then, Darcy McCanless, Manager of Professional Development for Britannica Digital Learning, spoke about the unprecedented move by Encyclopedia Britannica in publishing its latest iteration solely in the digital realm. After 244 years, this move marked the end of the 32-volume print edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
The South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) gathered in Greenville last week for its 37th annual conference, with a theme of Advocacy Starts with You @ Your Library. The SCASL conference provided many opportunites for professional growth, networking, and reflection on the role of school librarians in South Carolina.
The DISCUS-provided resource known as Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center now includes amazing updates with live job postings and an updated school search.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Long of Doby’s Mill Elementary School in Lugoff, South Carolina is one of ten librarians nationwide to receive the "I Love My Librarian" Award. The award, presented on December 8th, is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation, the New York Times, and the American Library Association. Library users are asked to nominate outstanding public, school, college, community college, or university librarians who have made a difference at their institutions.
EdTech 2011 was held during the last week of October in Myrtle Beach and, once again, DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library and the State Library were represented in the exhibit hall and in the breakout sessions. The EdTech conference provides professional development opportunities in all areas of educational technology, making it a valuable experience for South Carolina educators.
The South Carolina State Library and the DISCUS Program are both making greater use of online technology to keep DISCUS users aware and informed. An example of this is the increased use of screencasting. Screencasts – recordings of actions taking place on a computer screen – effectively serve as brief tutorials that can be viewed multiple times if desired. Recent screencasts include those listed below.
South Carolina State Library staff enjoyed meeting and greeting educators from throughout the state at the EdTech Conference that was held on October 27-29 in Myrtle Beach. Educators were challenged to “Discover the Mystery” as they learned about solutions designed to integrate technology in education.
Those who visited the State Library’s exhibit booth were encouraged to provide feedback about the DISCUS program on a prize entry form. Prizes included a book and also insulated DISCUS beverage mugs. Congratulations to the lucky winners!
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