DISCUS South Carolinas Virtual Library A program overview

DISCUS South Carolina’s Virtual Library A program overview

What is DISCUS? Digital Information for SC Users • An online library, available day and night • Provides free access to electronic subscription library resources • For South Carolinians of all ages and interests • Coordinated by the SC State Library

How does DISCUS provide information? DISCUS offers a collection of online databases that … • • Is produced by reputable publishers Has authoritative and reliable content Is organized and updated regularly Contains age-appropriate materials for a variety of users

DISCUS databases are large, organized, electronic collections of published information – such as magazines and books – that can be easily searched to find the needed information.

Information from DISCUS resources is delivered by way of the Internet. DISCUS users retrieve information from credible databases, not from the open Internet.

What resources can be found in DISCUS? • • • Magazines, newspapers Professional journals Encyclopedias Dictionaries Practice tests • • • Electronic books Reference materials Web site links Atlases …and more!

What information do the resources provide? • • Articles Maps Video, audio Career tools Primary sources Lesson plans Curriculum standards • • Historic documents Government reports Web sites Photos, illustrations, charts, and other images

What subject areas are covered with DISCUS resources? • • Arts & Literature Biography Business Careers • Current Events • Education • Government & Legal • Health & Medicine • History • Science & Technology • Social Sciences

Use DISCUS for… • • K-12 homework, projects and reports College research Educator preparation Independent study Political awareness Career preparation Consumer decisions Lifelong learning

DISCUS Goals and Vision • • • Provide equal access to information Serve the information needs of all Expand library resources Offer library resources 24/7 Ensure cost-efficient use of public funds

DISCUS is for all South Carolinians! DISCUS serves all residents, with access at schools, public libraries, colleges and universities, homes and offices.

DISCUS Web site @ scdiscus. org Kids’ resources are on the kids tab. Enter a search from the home page.

DISCUS Kids Page Resources for kids are listed and described.

“I’m looking for…” DISCUS Kids Page Kids can also choose the kind of information they need and are given database recommendations.

Kids’ magazines, maps and newspapers Kids’ online encyclopedias with multimedia content

DISCUS databases meet middle school and high school research needs

Databases for adults provide tools for research and lifelong learning

Readers of all ages will enjoy the DISCUS databases with a literary focus

DISCUS users have access to newspapers and magazines

Use DISCUS at home, too! Your public library or your school library media specialist can provide you with home access information.

Thank your legislators! DISCUS is funded by the South Carolina General Assembly through the K-12 Technology Initiative, with supplemental funding by the federal Library Services & Technology Act. DISCUS is coordinated by the SC State Library in cooperation with school, college and public libraries.

Use DISCUS today! scdiscus. org To learn more, ask your librarian!