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Augusta Baker made South Carolina her home when she moved here with her husband in 1980. She extended a lifelong commitment to children and books through her position as Storyteller-in-Residence at the University of South Carolina. To capitalize on her expertise, Baker’s friend, the late Dean Emeritus Wayne Yenawine, created this position at the School of Library and Information Science especially for her, the first of its kind at any university. Here, her object was to teach students, librarians, and educators “how to make reading more exciting for children” (Columbia Record, 20 November 1980). Though in demand nationally as a speaker, storyteller and teacher, she was diligent in her attention to the needs of South Carolina. She never knew the meaning of “no” when requests came from teachers, librarians, parents and children.

The University of South Carolina’s School of Library and Information Science is nationally known for its strength in children’s literacy and advocacy. The Augusta Baker Chair in Childhood Literacy will provide continuing strength and leadership to the efforts of USC’s library school. It will also be the first chair at USC named for an African-American woman.

In addition to traditional academic responsibilities, the Chair will be responsible for 1) conducting research in the area of childhood literacy, 2) developing training for literacy professionals, 3) overseeing outreach programs through the Center for Children's Books and Literacy, and 4) collaborating on statewide literacy initiatives.

This Chair will be a fitting tribute to an outstanding library professional, children’s advocate and human rights worker.

We need your help to continue Augusta’s work. By supporting the Augusta Baker Chair in Childhood Literacy you will join a growing list of supporters who recognize the need for positive development of literacy and information service programs for young children, teachers, librarians, care providers, parents and communities in South Carolina.

For further details, please contact the Director of the South Carolina Center for Children's Books and Literacy, Ellen Shuler at shulere@gwm.sc.edu or call the School of Library and Information Science at (803) 777-3858.

More about Augusta Baker