A Hub for Learning Engagement and Creativity! 

Welcome to the Library!  As the central hub of our school, we provide resources to support the arts and academic curricula, as well as leisure reading, listening and viewing to enrich residential life for artistically gifted high school students and the school's overall community.

 

                                                                          Residential Library Hours 
           Days of the Week        Daily Hours
Monday- Thursday8AM- 9PM
Fridays8AM- 5PM
Sundays2PM-6PM
*(Please note that Sunday hours may be impacted by holiday breaks.)

 

The John I. Smith Charities Library is committed to providing  resources that support fully engaged learning, whether on campus or online.  

Learn more about how we can help you below:

check it out

The library is thrilled to add JSTOR to our database resources!  This dynamic database supports academic excellence by providing unparalleled access to thousands of journal articles, books, images, and primary sources covering 75 disciplines. Click here to start researching with JSTOR!

How-Tutorials

Interested in using library resources but don't know where to begin? How-Tutorials are step-by-step videos that provide clear, detailed instructions on how to navigate and successfully use library resources. 

How-Tutorials: Artstor


How-Tutorials: Oxford African American Studies Center



How -Tutorials: Bloom's Literature




How-Tutorials: Dance in Video

 


How-Tutorials: Digital Theatre+

 

How-Tutorials: History Reference Center

 

How-Tutorials: Opposing Viewpoints

 

How-Tutorials: Oxford Art Online

 

How-Tutorials: Oxford Music Online


How-Tutorials: Science Reference Center



How Tutorials: Navigating to the Library Database While Offsite




How-Tutorials: Using the Card Catalog

 

 

Library Resources 

Online Catalog

Search the Library's online catalog

Discovery Service

EBSCO Discovery Service provides users with an easy, yet powerful means of accessing all of an institution's information resources through a single search. This is achieved by harvesting metadata from both internal (library) and external (database vendors) sources, and creating a pre-indexed service of unprecedented size and speed. 

Search Discovery Service

Research Databases

Browse a list of research databases

Databases by Subject

Browse a list of databases organized by subject

Request an Item

Request that the library purchase an item with this quick online form.

Request a Purchase

About Us

John I. Smith Charities Library

Named for a charitable trust noted for giving to education, the arts and libraries, as well as human services agencies through many years, the Library boasts a collection of over 30,000 items including books, compact discs, DVDs, musical scores and an ever-growing core collection of curriculum-based electronic services.

Electronic materials are available throughout the campus 24/7. The Library, in partnership with the entire school, makes available wireless access in the Library and in other hot spots on campus. The Library provides an open atmosphere for exchange of ideas and the development of individual responsibility.

Electronic services include those provided by the state to all schools, plus additional history archives, art collections of private, museum, and university holdings from around the world, audio-streaming of classical and jazz recordings, sheet music and musical score downloads, and other listening collections (such as folk music, ethnic music, and modern derivations from the popular and classical canon). The music collections are part of major repositories such as the Smithsonian Institution and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. In addition, the library has a 19-station computer lab, photocopy and printing services, a production center for student projects, and staff of outstanding librarians.

The John I. Smith Charities Library encourages use of all Library services in South Carolina. Annually, staff members at our Library provide assistance to students getting library cards at the Greenville County Library System, a major resource with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. Our librarians also teach students how to explore and examine the holdings and cooperative services of the university and college libraries in our state and nation.

Instructional Services

When the library is open...
Governor’s School librarians provide both individual and classroom services to students. When students need books, librarians eagerly teach catalog searching. When students need journal articles from reliable sources, Librarians demonstrate the ease with which such information can be found.

Librarians advise students on new and old books to read, for leisure and for learning. They recommend music and videos from the vast collection of CDs and DVDs, as well as through the streaming services to which the library subscribes.

Librarians encourage the entire community to make suggestions for resources, programs and services. Teachers request time in the meeting room or the library computer lab for individual or small class instruction. Librarians also offer special classes for students embarking on major research and documentation projects.

The library sponsors unique programming, such as the collaborative celebration of Banned Books Week, book discussions and classroom instruction regarding first amendment and copyright issues.

When the Library is closed…
Database, digital archives, streaming audio and video, and catalog services are available on any campus computer 24/7. Most electronic services are easily navigated, but students can send questions to library staff via e-mail. Answers follow as soon as possible.  

Goals in Library Instruction

The library’s goals are to help students and other users increase their information literacy skills in accessing, processing, using and evaluating information. We expand that goal by developing these competencies so that users can become confident, independent learners who are prepared for life beyond campus.

Instruction can be designed to meet the specific needs of the teacher or subject studied. Instruction includes teaching the use of the library’s catalog, specialized online databases, citing sources and creating bibliographies, or using the library’s production center for projects.

Reserve Materials

Teachers decide how long items are placed on reserve in the library and how long students may use these materials. Books, DVDs, music CDs, scores and photocopied materials may be set aside for student use in the library at the request of a teacher. Reserve materials are shelved separately from the general collection and are arranged by the teacher’s last name. Reserve materials are only to be used in the library and may not be checked-out or removed by students.

Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

The John I. Smith Charities Library now makes available an Inter-Library Loan Service for students, faculty and staff. The University of South Carolina Libraries generously provided this service for our school in 2008. Other libraries are also useful in this process. Regularly, we consult with the Library of Congress on how best to obtain information for users.

With a Greenville County Library card, one can place Inter-Library Loans from libraries around the nation. Contact Michael Giller at 864.282.3692  or Christina Fuller-Gregory at 864.282.3694  to assist you with your Inter-Library Loan requests.