History of SCASL

The South Carolina Association of School Librarians began as a subdivision of the South Carolina Education Association. With money right out of their pockets, the first president Jackie Derrick, along with Mary Alice Carter Parker and Frances O'Neal planned and implemented our very first conference in the spring of 1976. The organization has grown from a few members to over 830 professional librarians.  Over the years, the South Carolina Association of School Librarians has supported and advocated for school librarians in addition to providing leadership and professional development opportunities.

The first South Carolina Association of School Librarians conference was held in1976.  Forty years later, the South Carolina Association of School Librarians annual conference has hosted award winning authors and speakers, provided professional development and continuing education opportunities and a space and place for professional librarians to network and learn from each other.  After each conference librarians take what they have learned:  new mindsets, ideas, practices and procedures and apply them for the academic advancement of all South Carolina students.  See the Past Presidents video from SCASL Virtual Conference 2021.  Also, see memories from conferences past in the Welcome Slideshow from 2021. 

The South Carolina Association of School Librarians serves all the students of South Carolina.  1976 was the year that the South Carolina Book Awards was created.  A standard in libraries today, the South Carolina Book Awards provides South Carolina students with vetted and diverse choices of books to read and enjoy. Unlike national book awards, South Carolina students have the final say as to which book is the “best” book.  Students are able to vote for their favorite book and the results are shared with all South Carolina libraries.

In 1985 the South Carolina Association of School Librarians recognized the best librarian in South Carolina. That tradition has continued each year as SCASL honors outstanding South Carolina librarian professionals, paraprofessionals, school library programs, as well as, administrators who support school library programs.

The SCASL Messenger (formerly the Media Center Messenger) is a quarterly publication that provides up-to-date information on trends in the library profession, news of activities, success stories of librarians across the state as well as timely articles of interest to South Carolinian school librarians.  Originally printed on a mimeograph, the SCASL Messenger is easily accessible online.

South Carolina Association of School Librarians is “Making Schools Stronger” by insuring that professional librarians in South Carolina are prepared to be a contributing factor in the success of each and every South Carolina student. 

Past Presidents.