South Carolina’s rich history never ceases to amaze me.  Although I’m not a native South Carolinian, I am always eager to learn more about South Carolina’s prominent figures and the events that have greatly influenced the future of this country.     >> Read more

Many of Dr. King's landmark speeches are available for checkout from the library on CD and .    Some of his speeches are also available for experience online.  Listen below to "I Have a Dream" available from the Community Audio Collection on the Internet Archive

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The current issue of the New Yorker, which happens to be the 85th anniversary issue, has a fantastic article on veterans of the civil rights movement.  The article is accompanied by striking black and white photographs of people like the Little Rock Nine, John Lewis, Myrlie Evers, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos by Platon, a Greek-English staff photographer.    >> Read more

On a recent trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, some friends and I went horseback riding on a mountain trail.  One of our guides was quite loquacious and tried to make small talk throughout our adventure.  This was the same weekend as the Carolina/Tennessee game so naturally sports was the main topic, but he surprised me when he brought up Darius Rucker.  He knew Rucker was from South Carolina, had heard about his USC connection and was quite impressed with his country music CD.  It was nice to hear something positive about a South Carolina public figure.

Last night, Rucker won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards in Nashville.  I attended graduate school at USC in 1988 and remember fondly Rucker's vocals as lead singer with Hootie and the Blowfish on the local scene.  The band formed in 1986 and released their debut album, Cracked Rear View, in 1994.  I've always enjoyed Rucker's vocals, and it is no different with his country music deput which I am currently listening to.  If you were to remove some of the country guitar "twang," this music could easily crossover.  Congratulations to Rucker for finding a new niche and becoming the first African American artist to win a major CMA since Charley Pride.  

RCPL currently has on display, Hootie and the Blowfish: A Columbia Obsession, on the third level in our Local History Room.  Please be sure to check out this wonderful memorabilia collection.  

Thanks to the CMA and the young man on the horse trail who inspired me to give a listen to Rucker's latest CD project.  If you haven't listened to Hootie lately or would like to hear Darius's country music venture, check out the library's music collection for the CDs listed below.
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Jazz vocalist and poet, Eboniramm, recently became RCPL's newest literary resident.  Eboniramm has contributed to RCPL's programming efforts on several occasions in the past and will enhance the multicultural focus of RCPL's Literary Residency.  We are very pleased to have her as part of this esteemed group of regular program presenters. You may hear her sultry vocals at several local performance venues.  Check out her Web site to find more information about her music and poetry.  The site will also tell you where she is presently performing. 


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 This internationally known a cappella ensemble will be in Columbia on September 26, 2009 at the Koger Center for the Arts. These six talented African American women create a variety of music genres including blues, Hip-Hop, African chants, ancient lullabies, spirituals, reggae and jazz improvisation. Come to 1431 at the Main Library and check out the CDs we have in the library collection and get ready for an amazing evening.     >> Read more

Music Icon and "King of Pop," Michael Joseph Jackson unnexpectedly passed away on June 25, 2009.  Fans across the world are shocked and saddened by the loss of this legendary, pivotal figure in the world of popular music. 

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This will be the fifth year that RCPL has commemorated Black Music Month with special live performances that are free-of-charge.

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We recently lost a towering figure in African-American and American history.  The distinguished scholar, John Hope Franklin, died of congestive heart failure on March 25, 2009, at age 94.    >> Read more