Access to Research Room Closed ... for the time being

Circumstances are such that access to the Beaufort District Collection's Research Room ceased effective June 18, 2020 until further notice.  (I must admit that it felt very good to help customers the few days that the Research Room was open from June 15 at 9 AM - until closing time on June 18.)

What this means for you: No one will be able to do research inside the room. This is particularly problematic for the unique (and popular) items we share only inside the Research Room such as microfilm of the back files of the Beaufort Gazette (1906 - March 31, 2015), Island Packet (1970 - March 31, 2015) and Palmetto Post (1882 - 1907).

My advice about what to do during the Research Room's shutdown is "Pretend like it's March 16, 2020" again. During the Library system's shutdown, we drew attention to all the "stuff" available online. Take full advantage of all of the Library's digital assets to explore local history:

• The BDC's Photographs, postcards, unique documents in the Lowcountry Digital Library
• The BDC's Facebook page
• The BDC's Links, Lists and Finding Aids blog
• "Beaufort History Moments" videos on YouTube
• At least through the end of June, one can get access to Ancestry Library Edition with a valid BCL library card and the proper password. To receive the special password, Contact Us and be sure to include your 13-digit library card number. Don't yet have a card? Start here.
• Get Local History Reading Suggestions or Summer Reading ideas

Still having trouble finding the information you seek? Please let me know and I will try to help you from wherever I happen to be at the moment.

• You can call 843-255-6446 and leave a message.  
• You can send an email to gracec@bcgov.net or bcl@bcgov.net or bdc@bcgov.net. Those will be monitored Mondays through Fridays, 9 AM to 5 PM. 
• You can be old school and write a letter. Our address is "Beaufort District Collection, Beaufort County Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29902." 

Regardless of your choice of communication, I promise to respond as soon as practical. I will do my best to give you solid advice or point you to digital resources or to items in the Library's circulating local history sections that can get you further along your research path.

Please note: All units of the Beaufort County Library will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.