Yes, digital copies of items can be made available. Some of special collections' most heavily requested items are already scanned and available through the Libraries' Digital Collections. If you are looking for a public domain item that is not already digitized, send an email to TCLRARE@mailbox.sc.edu and they will look into the possibility of creating a digital surrogate. Non-public domain materials can sometimes be scanned within the terms of fair use. There is a fee for digitization.