Homeschool Survey Results

The SDSL conducted an online survey from July 30^th – August 15^th to gather data on home school trends for Fall 2020. Forty-one responses were received and analyzed. Please note: Home schooling has its own curriculum while distance learning is done working from home with your local school district and teachers. SD/DOE has a page about home schooling: https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/homeschooling.aspx.

Most (45%) reported less than 25% of their student population would be home schooling this fall. However, 37.5% indicate they have no idea how to tell how many in their community plan to home school this fall, and 12.5% would like guidance on how to find out. Library staff can look for where parents are having these conversations. Facebook groups for parents and other online social media can help library staff connect to this user base. Where do parents gather in your community?

See full infographic of SDSL Homeschool Online Survey.

Twenty nine respondents answered they did see evidence home schooling will increase, while sixteen respondents answered they did not. How are you reaching out to your community to gather information? Contacting school administrators is a great way to collaborate, get facts, and advocate for your library.

30% of respondents said they did not feel prepared to handle a potential increase in patrons who homeschool. A whopping 80% of respondents opted to receive additional resources that benefit the home school community.

What can libraries do?

Libraries can provide access to Wi-Fi and SDSL online databases to support research, homework, and projects. Whether the student is being home schooled, learning online, or in person through the school district, libraries have a lot to offer.

SDSL databases

The SDSL provides a large selection of online databases on a variety of topics. Users have instant, statewide access using GeoIP technology. Check out the following:

• Student Research for Elementary School
• Student Research for Middle School
• Student Research for High School

As always, feel free to contact me for more information and/or to set up training on the SDSL databases:

Kim Bonen, Digital Resources Coordinator
605-295-3174 | Kim.bonen@state.sd.us

If you lose my phone number, just call the State Library 773-3131 ext. 6 and they can patch you through.

Let’s Get Digital!

During the pandemic, we’ve seen a shift toward the digital. Schools are heavily relying on digital resources for teaching and learning. Many publishers have eased restrictions when it comes to recording and sharing read-alouds. There’s been an uptick in purchasing and using digital books. All in all, librarians are using creative ways to reach patrons through distance learning, remote access, and clever promotion and programming.

With this in mind, the State Library has added pages to its Resource Guides (aka LibGuides). The content on these pages revolves mostly around schools; however, much of the information is transferable to public and academic libraries. These pages live here: libguides.library.sd.gov/services/schoollibraries-covid19.

Here are the main topics (so far!):

• SDSL Databases for K-12
• Digital Books
• Read-Alouds & Fair Use
• Digital Learning Tools
• Freebies from Publishers & Vendors
• Virtual Experiences
• Professional Time
• Cleaning

And, lastly, for information for all kinds of libraries during this pandemic, visit libguides.library.sd.gov/services/COVID19.

National Library Week 2020

For seven days during the month of April, libraries around the country celebrate National Library Week. This year that week is April 19-25.

This week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our libraries and librarians. It’s also a time to promote how each library serves the library serves the needs of its own unique community. These needs are reflected in their collections, in their spaces, and in their programming and events.

There are several specific celebrations during National Library Week:

• Monday, April 20 the annual State of America's Libraries Report is released, as well as the Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2019.
  
  
• Tuesday, April 21 is National Library Workers Day.
  
  
• Wednesday, April 22 is National Bookmobile Day.
  
  
• Thursday, April 23 is Take Action for Libraries Day.

2020 One Book South Dakota

The 2020 One Book South Dakota, Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper, has arrived at the South Dakota Humanities Council office and is available for discussion programs at libraries statewide.

Megan Phelps-Roper signs copies of her book, "Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church" after it was revealed as the 2020 One Book South Dakota Dec. 3.

The book examines the author’s unusual upbringing and her life-altering decision to leave her infamous and outspoken family, known nationwide for raucous protests at funerals of U.S. soldiers and other public events, for a quiet life in rural South Dakota.

Since 2003, the One Book South Dakota program has encouraged people across the state to read and discuss the same book throughout the year. Libraries can borrow copies of the One Book from SDHC for a $50 application fee (with reduced rates and waivers available based on operating budgets) and, if desired, can host an SDHC scholar to facilitate their discussion.

To learn more about the book and its author, and to apply to host a discussion, visit http://sdhumanities.org/programs-and-events/obsd/. If you would like a paper application mailed to you, please call 605-688-6113 or email deb@sdhumanities.org.

Phelps-Roper will also visit South Dakota libraries and other cultural sites this summer and fall as part of her One Book author tour. Host applications will be available in March, with details to be posted on http://sdhumanities.org/ and included in a future edition of Cornerstone. The tour will culminate in an appearance at the 2020 South Dakota Festival of Books, Oct. 2-4 in Brookings.