Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, paranormal, and whatever else sounds fun. A member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America, she has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington.
When Ann is not holed up in her writing lair working on her next book, she is hanging out with her family and basking in the Arizona sunshine.
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
This presentation will focus on our ideas and experiences of learning to share our library story. By overcoming obstacles such as time, hesitancy, or lack of ideas, everyone can become more creative and strategic advocates for our libraries. We will include resources and expert tips of how we can all amplify our library's story. We are school librarians, but our presentation would be useful and applicable to all libraries, such as how we talk to community members.
Kris O'Brien was an English teacher for 30 years but often dreamed of being a librarian. When the opportunity arose at Watertown High School, she jumped at the opportunity. Because she was the English chairperson for over 15 years and worked intricately with curriculum development... Read More →
Library professionals have the expertise to amplify and sustain the digital visibility of our communities. Join us for an interactive, mini-edit-a-thon designed to introduce you to editing in Wikipedia and Wikidata. With a curated list of South Dakota-specific entries in need of updating, we will focus on some low-barrier but high-impact contributions you can make, such as repairing article references, adding images from Wikimedia Commons to Wikipedia pages without them, enhancing details about local South Dakota topics in Wikidata, and more! Participants will leave with an editor profile, a toolkit that includes some low-barrier editing ideas, and a supportive community of local peers to continue the work.
Sara Ring is Continuing Education Librarian at Minitex where she develops and presents training for libraries and other cultural heritage organizations on standards for building digital collections and preserving them. AI applications in libraries, Linked data, library history, and... Read More →
Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:40am CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
Teens can be a difficult group to get into the library because of their busy schedules with school, activities, and work. Teen subscription bags are one thing that we use to bring the library to the teens. In this session, we will talk about how we run our teen subscription bag service at our library. We will talk about how to get started, how we get teens interested and signed up, how we choose books, and how we have adapted based on what we have learned over the years. We will also share ideas about ways to get teens to participate for their bags each quarter by giving something back to the library. Participants will gain access to templates that we use for all aspects of the program from registration to keeping track of books, to tracking participation. You will leave with all the resources you need to start your own teen subscription bag service at your library.
Discover how community's wide reading programs can spark meaningful conversations around challenging topics, shine a light on underrepresented voices, and build lasting partnerships with local organizations. Kim will share insights from Siouxland Libraries' One Book Siouxland initiative, while Cara will highlight K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library's "All Aberdeen Reads," two powerful examples of how reading together can bring a community closer.
Join us to learn and share tips in recognizing AI-generated materials available from common vendors. A discussion of collection development policy and cataloging methods to address AI will follow.
What does it truly mean to be a "strong" school library in South Dakota? In this practical and inspiring session, participants will explore a clear framework built around three essential pillars: The Professional, The Program, and The Place. Through reflection, real-world examples, and ready-to-use tools, attendees will identify strengths already present in their libraries and uncover strategic next steps to amplify impact.
School Library Coordinator, South Dakota State Library
Scottie Bruch is the South Dakota State Library Training Coordinator. She has experience in both the public and school library and also in the classroom with a history as a middle school reading and social studies teacher, the Assistant Director and Teen Services Coordinator at the... Read More →
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:40pm CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
In this interactive 50-minute course, we'll explore how hospitality goes beyond service to create memorable, meaningful experiences for our guests. Through discussion, real-life examples, and practical insights, we'll examine the difference between transactional service and true hospitality-- where connection, empathy, and excellence intersect.
Participants will: … Reflect on personal and observed hospitality wins. … Discover how small actions, like using a guest's name, can leave a lasting impression. … Explore strategies for balancing efficiency with genuine care. … Learn core principles, including "The Siouxland Way" and how they shape our culture.
We'll also dive into practical techniques such as First Contact Resolution, effective roving, and the importance of merchandising to create a welcoming environment. Whether you're new to the concept or just need a refresher, this session will equip you with the tools to consistently deliver exceptional experiences. Come ready to participate, reflect, and share!
The South Dakota Children's Book Awards are our own annual "kids' choice" literature awards. The books are chosen to encourage reading and fill information gaps. Divided by reading level - Prairie Bud (PreK-1st), Prairie Bloom (2nd-3rd), and Prairie Pasque (4th-5th)- students vote on nominated titles to find THE BEST BOOK in SOUTH DAKOTA! In less than an hour, we'll showcase all 30 2026-2027 titles across the Bud, Bloom, and Pasque categories with SDCBA BINGO! We'll also discuss ways to build excitement around these books, potential programming, and refresh your reader's advisory toolkit. This session will leave you inspired - and ready to share these books in a whole new way.
Join SDPB to discover how our free educational tools and community engagement resources can help you build a "South Dakota Strong" library. In this session, we will explore free, high-quality educational resources and outreach opportunities from SDPB and PBS on topics like SD history and culture, Native American studies, local art, science, literacy, and more. We will discuss practical ways SDPB can collaborate with your library on events and programming to maximize your impact for patrons of all ages and interests. Learn how to leverage statewide resources to meet your local needs and strengthen the connection between your library and your community.
Education Specialist, South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Steven develops resource materials for specific content areas and then provides in-service training (workshops) at schools and education conferences across the state for both educational staff and parents. He also creates a weekly electronic education newsletter for teachers/pare... Read More →
Today's Internet is overflowing with advertisements, cookies, account sign-ups, spam, and other seemingly innocuous items that end up tracking your every move. Safely navigating the online sphere without sacrificing your data may seem impossible, but with a short set-up and some helpful tips, you can become a pro-privacy pro! By attending this session, you will: (1) learn and understand how websites attain user information and track movements; (2) be able to set up any computer with privacy-focused web browsers and ad-blocker tools; and (3) become capable of teaching basic cybersecurity to patrons and coworkers. (Attendees, please bring your work laptops and/or phones with you for quick, in-person setup.)
In recent years, the Yankton Community Library has had great success with a few of our program series, including Neighborhood Walking Tours, Planning with Purpose, and Adult Field Trips. Neighborhood Walking Tours allowed us to visit and learn more about the history of older and unique structures in several Yankton neighborhoods. We covered several steps involved with end-of-life planning with our Planning with Purpose series. And we’ve been able to get behind-the-scenes tours of larger locations in Yankton with our Adult Field Trips. These low to no-cost programs were possible through community partnerships and helped our participants develop a better idea about the resources and services available in our community. These partnerships make the library more visible and improve program attendance and social media engagement.
Many of our patrons are lonely, and the library is the perfect place to get them socializing. This presentation will cover the impact of the loneliness epidemic, as well as four low-budget program ideas that bring community members together in an entertaining way. These programs will focus on both active and more passive social opportunities, allowing your library to cater to the introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between. (The programs I will be discussing are Speed Friending, BINGO Mingle, Silent Book Club, and Bring Your Own Craft Night!)
Community Services Coordinator, Brookings Public Library
My name is Mikaela Neubauer and I've been the Community Services Coordinator at the Brookings Public Library for the last 3 years. I'm in charge of adult programs (and of course other duties as assigned) and I am increasingly interested in ways that I can incorporate diversity, equity... Read More →
Thursday October 1, 2026 4:30pm - 5:10pm CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
Reference and Instruction Librarian, Northern State University
Lynn Klundt is a reference and instruction librarian who manages the electronic resources and provides reference services and information literacy instruction for Williams Library. She is the library's liaison to the School of Education and coordinator for the library's creation... Read More →
Thursday October 1, 2026 5:30pm - 5:50pm CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
