COLLECT + CONNECT

With the unprecedented influx of money headed to South Dakota schools and libraries, it's super important to start thinking about what your library needs to make its services more effective and efficient. This applies specifically to technology and curbing student learning loss due to the pandemic. The State Library will be receiving approximately two million dollars with which to distribute to all types of libraries. This American Rescue Plan Act funding will be made available to libraries through grants. This means librarians need to be ready and waiting with a strategized list. Here are some items to think about: wifi hotspots for checkout computers laptops printers copiers ILS systems self-checkout systems recording studios to record music, podcasts, etc. digitization equipment (scanners, computers, VHS to digital converter) tables with tech embedded charging stations ebooks and audio book subscriptions (with the understanding that this money is one-time money and the subscript...

Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Library Technology grants funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the federal CARES Act.  This grant funding is intended to update, expand, or improve technology in the public and school libraries.  pixabay.com/images/id-820272/ And... a special shout-out to school library recipients! Huron School District Kimball School District Watertown School District See news release for all 16 second-round recipients. See  news release  for all 19 first-round recipients.

The past couple of years has been a whirlwind at the West Central Middle/High School Library. The once combination public/school library separated into two entities recently leaving the 6-12 grade library in the same space and relocating the public library to a downtown location. This allowed veteran teacher-librarian Danann Kistler to incorporate big changes such as genrefying the library collection and expanding the popular Makerspace. On top of that, all new seating areas were added after the library got a fresh coat of paint. Needless to say, this southeast South Dakota school library is thriving thanks to dedicated library staff and volunteers, administrative backing, and Kistler's leadership. The library also received a large grant from Daughters of the American Revolution which  provided funding for a large historical book collection, a  display  case for artifacts, scrapbooks, and an iPad.   True to her teacher-librarian role,  Kistler co-teaches to...