Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2007 Session > Title 60

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Title 60 - Libraries, Archives, Museums and Arts

CHAPTER 11.

ARCHIVES ACT

SECTION 60-11-10. Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the Archives Act.

SECTION 60-11-20. Archives Department redesignated as Department of Archives and History.

The South Carolina Archives Department shall hereafter be styled as the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

SECTION 60-11-30. Objects and purposes of Department.

The objects and purposes of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History shall be:

(1) The preservation and administration of those public records formerly transferred to the custody of the Historical Commission and those that may be transferred and accepted by the Department in the future;

(2) The collection, by purchase or otherwise, of the originals, or transcripts, of public records in other states or counties relating to South Carolina;

(3) The preservation and administration of the private records formerly in the custody of the Historical Commission and those that may be added by deposit, gift, or purchase in the future;

(4) The editing and publication of documents, treatises, etc., relating to the history of South Carolina;

(5) The stimulation of research, study, and other activity in the field of South Carolina history, genealogy, and archaeology;

(6) The approval of the inscriptions for all historical markers or other monuments erected on State highways or other State property;

(7) The improvement of standards for the making, care, and administration of public records; and

(8) The performance of such acts and requirements as may be enjoined by law.

SECTION 60-11-40. Department under control of Commission of Archives and History; membership and meetings of Commission; terms of office of members; vacancies.

(1) The South Carolina Department of Archives and History is under the control of the South Carolina Commission of Archives and History which consists of five ex officio members and six non-ex officio members.

(2) The five ex officio members are the heads of the departments of history of the University of South Carolina, The Citadel, Clemson University, Winthrop University, and the head of the Department of Political Science and History of South Carolina State University, and their successors, or, upon approval of the governing board of the respective institution, their designees.

(3) Six non-ex officio members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: one member upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Historical Society, one member upon the recommendation of the American Legion, Department of South Carolina, one member upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Historical Association, and one member upon the recommendation of the University South Caroliniana Society. Each shall serve for a term of five years. Two members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of office to run concurrently with the term of the Governor. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(4) The South Carolina Commission of Archives and History must hold at least one regular meeting during the year and as many special meetings as may be necessary at the office of the commission. Special meetings may be called by the chairman, or, in his absence, by the vice-chairman. Six members of the commission constitute a quorum.

(5) All members of the commission shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings and otherwise performing their duties under the direction of the commission. The members who are not employed by the State shall receive the per diem paid by the State to members of boards and commissions during their attendance at meetings.

SECTION 60-11-50. Powers and duties of Commission.

The South Carolina Commission of Archives and History may:

(1) Elect its chairman and vice-chairman, who shall be chosen annually to serve during the fiscal year but who may serve for successive terms;

(2) Make rules and regulations for its own government and the administration of the Department;

(3) Elect an executive officer for the Department to be known as the Director;

(4) Appoint, on the recommendation of the Director, all other members of the staff;

(5) Adopt a seal for use in official departmental business;

(6) Control the expenditure in accordance with law of such public funds as may be appropriated to the Department;

(7) Accept gifts, bequests, and endowments for purposes consistent with the objectives of the Department;

(8) Make annual reports to the General Assembly of the receipts, disbursements, work, and needs of the Department; and

(9) Adopt policies designed to fulfill the duties and attain the objectives of the Department as established by law.

SECTION 60-11-60. Director of Department.

The active management and administration of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History shall be committed to the Director, who at the time of his election must have the qualifications of special training or experience in archival or historical work. The Director shall not do any additional work for pay. He shall furnish information free to the citizens of this State.

SECTION 60-11-70. Private records.

The Commission of Archives and History shall not solicit private records, but if its services are necessary to safeguard such records it may accept, either as a gift or deposit, collections offered by their legal owners or custodians. All such papers shall be open to inspection and examination for the purpose of research in like manner as are the public records. Neither the State nor the Commission of Archives and History shall be responsible for the loss of private records accepted on deposit.

SECTION 60-11-80. Commission shall publish information regarding public records; Director shall assist in preservation.

From time to time the Commission of Archives and History shall assembly and publish information regarding paper, ink, filing, binding, and any other matter that will be useful in improving the standards of making, caring for, and administering public records. Upon the request of any State or county official the Director shall examine the records in his custody and make recommendations regarding their preservation.

SECTION 60-11-90. State Archives Building.

The name of the State Archives Building shall be "The South Carolina Archives." It shall be occupied by the Commission of Archives and History and shall be operated by them in fulfilling the duties now assigned, or which may in the future be assigned, by the General Assembly. The Archives Building shall also provide space for the Confederate relics of the State.

SECTION 60-11-100. Use of county and municipal funds to procure equipment for microfilming public records.

The Department of Archives and History may receive and use funds from the county and municipal governments to microfilm public records of permanent value both to the counties and municipalities and the Department, if the counties or municipalities do not have archival quality microfilming capability or do have short term or emergency requirements for archival quality filming which would not justify purchase of such a system. The Department's current filming of county government records which have no security copies may be continued as scheduled. The funds received from the counties and municipalities must be used solely for the filming of county and municipal government records for records management security and research purposes. In order to provide the microfilm services requested by the counties and municipalities, the Department may use the funds to lease or purchase equipment, purchase microfilm and microfilming supplies, employ a microfilming team, and have film processed and inspected to meet required standards of quality. Travel expenses incurred by such program must be reimbursed from such funds at the State-approved rate.

SECTION 60-11-110. South Carolina African-American Heritage Commission.

(A) The South Carolina Commission of Archives and History shall establish the South Carolina African-American Heritage Commission to assist and enhance the efforts of the department to preserve and promote historic buildings, structures, and sites reflecting the State's African-American heritage. The commission shall:

(1) promote public awareness of buildings, sites, and structures associated with South Carolina's African-American heritage through publications, presentations, and workshops;

(2) support African-American heritage education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels;

(3) build a network of African-American individuals and groups interested in historic preservation;

(4) support the recruitment and hiring of African-American professionals by historical organizations and agencies;

(5) advise the Commission of Archives and History on matters relating to the identification and preservation of buildings, structures, and sites associated with African-American history and the programs and services of the department.

(B) The South Carolina African-American Heritage Commission shall consist of fifteen members appointed to staggered terms by the South Carolina Commission of Archives and History. The members of the African-American Heritage Commission shall represent all geographic regions of the State. The South Carolina Commission of Archives and History also may appoint other nonvoting members representing appropriate organizations. The members may not receive per diem, but must be reimbursed for mileage and subsistence from the State Historic Preservation Grant Fund.

(C) The African-American Heritage Commission also shall include nonvoting associate members who must be kept informed of its activities and invited to attend meetings. Associate members shall form a network of individuals and groups across the State who are interested in the preservation of properties associated with African-American history. Associate members are not eligible for per diem, mileage, and subsistence.

(D) The African-American Heritage Commission shall meet quarterly and shall plan activities to carry out its duties as enumerated in subsection (A). It shall establish bylaws for appointing members, electing officers, and conducting meetings.

(E) The South Carolina Department of Archives and History shall serve in a nonvoting advisory role to the African-American Heritage Commission and shall provide information and staff assistance. The commission must be funded through the State Historic Preservation Grant Fund, South Carolina's annual allocation from the federal Historic Preservation Fund, and any nonstate funds contributed to the commission.

(F) This resolution does not preclude the African-American Heritage Commission from receiving a charter as a nonprofit organization at a future date.