State Library Recognizes 21st Century School Libraries

The South Dakota State Library, a division of the SD Department of Education, has awarded thirteen school libraries the 21st Century School Library Award for 2021. This annual award recognizes school libraries as Effective, Enhanced or Exemplary, based on performance in three areas: place, which refers to the learning environment (both physical and online), programming and the professional.

Applicants conduct a self-assessment and provide evidence of their ability to meet South Dakota's guidelines for school libraries. Award status is valid for a three-year period.

Exemplary Award recipients:

• Belle Fourche Middle School Library, Belle Fourche; Librarian Karen Schlekeway, Administrator Kevin Schmidt
• Brookings High School Library, Brookings; Librarian Jean Kirschenman, Administrator Dr. Paul vonFischer
• Flandreau Middle/High School Library, Flandreau; Librarian Lori Williams, Administrators Brian Relf, Nicole Herzog
• Lincoln High School Library, Sioux Falls; Librarian Mary Peters, Administrator Dr. Laura Raeder
• Patrick Henry Middle School Library, Sioux Falls; Librarian Wendy Nelson, Administrator Kim Sharping
• Roosevelt High School Library, Sioux Falls; Librarian Michelle Clayberg, Administrator Tim Hazlett
• Spearfish High School Library, Spearfish; Librarian Emily Benvenga, Administrator Steve Morford
• T.F. Riggs High School Library, Pierre; Librarian Pamela Kringel, Administrator Kevin Mutchelknaus
• Washington High School Library, Sioux Falls; Librarian Kerri Smith, Administrator Kari Papke
• Watertown High School Library, Watertown; Librarian Kris O'Brien, Administrator Brad Brandsrud

Enhanced Award recipients:

• Freedom Elementary School Library, Harrisburg; Librarian Tyler Muth, Administrator Tanja Peterson
• Explorer Elementary School Library, Harrisburg; Librarian Amy DeNomme, Administrator Doug Eppard
• Huron High School Library, Huron; Librarian Rachel Kary, Administrators Mike Radke, Linda Pietz

Find more information on the State Library's 21st Century School Library Award webpage.

South Dakota Titles to Go News

Welcome to the new at-large SD Titles to Go (SDTTG) Purchasing Committee member, Deirdre Whitman. Deirdre is Watertown's City Librarian. She has been selecting library materials for 12 years including content for Watertown's advantage collection for all ages for the past three years, and for children in the four years preceding. She is an advocate for intellectual freedom and believes the SD-Titles-to-Go collection is invaluable to the citizens of South Dakota to meet educational, informational, and recreational needs.

The Committee voted LeAnn Kaufman, Freeman Public Library, to be the 2021 Committee Chair. LeAnn has served since 2018 – present and previously from 2013-2015.

The 2021 committee is as follows:

• LeAnn Kaufman, Freeman Public Library (Chair), Tier 1
• Lori Williams, Moody County Resource Center, Tier 2 & 3
• Kerry Bowers, Rawlins Municipal Library, Tier 4
• Hannah Lagerquist, K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library, Tier 5& 6
• Dierdre Whitman, Watertown Regional Library, At-Large

What is South Dakota Titles to Go?

South Dakota Titles to Go, provided by OverDrive and facilitated by the State Library, provides participating public library patrons the ability to download audiobooks and eBooks. Downloadable audiobooks and eBooks are available in a wide variety of popular genres, including bestsellers, fiction, romance, suspense, children's, young adult, business, self-help and language learning. They may be checked out for a period of time, placed on the patron's computer, or transferred to a portable device.

Audiobooks and eBooks are automatically returned when due.

Participating libraries sign participation agreements with OverDrive, which manages all billing and financial aspects directly with the participating library.

Is your library interested in joining SDTTG?

South Dakota public libraries can contact Kim Bonen, Digital Resources Coordinator at the South Dakota State Library to find out more! Kim.Bonen@state.sd.us