The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services published a short article titled "The Rise of Third Place and Open Access Amidst the Pandemic - Advocacy, Legislation & Issues".
In her article, Emma Wood emphasized the library as a third place. She noted that libraries across the country have stretched into virtual third places during the pandemic. Wood also explains the move to more Open Access (OA) resources and indicates that this shift provides for more equity especially for under-funded libraries.
The South Dakota State Library provides a variety of services to libraries across the state as they seek to enrich their communities and schools:
- open access to 58 subject-specific databases (accessible 24/7 to South Dakota residents)
- interlibrary loan support including SD Share-It
- statewide courier service
- Braille and Talking Book Library
- digitization
- summer reading programming
- training and professional development
- school library support
- public library support
- reference services