1. DISCUS South Carolina’s Virtual Library A program overview

2. What is DISCUS? D igital I nformation for SC Us ers 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

3. 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.

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

5. 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!

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. DISCUS databases meet middle school and high school research needs

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

13. DISCUS users have access to newspapers and magazines

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

15. 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.

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