SDLA 2026 Pierre

I have been Director of the Hill City Public Library for 7 years. I worked as a Library Aide at the Hill City Public Library for 4 years prior to becoming the Director.

Kim Bonen is the Electronic Resources Coordinator at the South Dakota State Library. She currently manages the State Library database subscriptions which includes compiling statistics, coordinating trainings, and providing technical assistance. She received her Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University in 2020.

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 Sturgis Public Library, and the Head Librarian for Meade School District, managing two middle school libraries and one high school library. In her current role for the SDSL, Scottie provides training, support, and services for South Dakota librarians.      

Prairie is a Youth Services Assistant that focuses on teen programming, outreach, and marketing. They’ve spent the past few years building up teen engagement (and turning the library into a space teens actually want to hang out in). They’re especially interested in creative programming, reader engagement, and finding ways to connect with teens both inside and outside the library. When they’re not planning programs or making flyers, they’re usually working on some kind of creative project or coming up with their next big idea.

Danielle Loftus is Associate Professor at the University of South Dakota and liaison to the College of Fine Arts in Art, Music, and Theatre.  She is chair of the University Libraries Arts and Exhibits committee. As technology librarian, Danielle manages USD’s institutional repository, as well as other digital initiatives.

Danielle De Jager-Loftus is Associate Professor at the University of South Dakota, and liaison to the College of Fine Arts.  She manages USD’s digital library and institutional repository, as well as other digital programs. De Jager-Loftus has led presentations and published articles not only about digital initiatives, but also about collaborating with other librarians and the greater community. De Jager-Loftus has held several association positions at the local, state, national, and international level, such as IFLA Art Libraries Section, past president of the South Dakota Library Association... Read more

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 lab.
Lynn graduated from NSU in 2005 with a degree in English and earned a master's degree in library and information science from the University of North Texas in 2012. Lynn has worked as a librarian at NSU since 2012.

I was a Program/Project Specialist in the Communications + Organizational Support unit as well as assist our director. C+OS facilitates events, runs Minitex News, manages our social media channels, and creates and distributes reports and promotional materials for all of Minitex's services. We also provide comprehensive support to the Minitex staff and serve as their front-line customer service representatives

In May of 2024 I took on the role of the Library Products Coordinator for Minitex. I am the middle man for libraries to get product's (Barcode labels, library cards, RFID tags, scanners, p... Read more

The Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN) supports a consortium of libraries serving academic, public, school, and special libraries across North Dakota with two shared library management systems (Alma & Polaris). In addition, ODIN participates in collective eResource purchasing with regional partners and promotes resource sharing among member libraries.  ODIN facilitates access to shared electronic collections for libraries who choose to participate & contribute financially.

My name is Mikaela Neubauer (she/her), and I've been the Adult Programming Coordinator at the Brookings Public Library since 2019. I have my MLIS from Emporia State University, and I am the vice-chairperson of the SDLA Support Staff Section, as well as a member of the MPLA Communications Committee. When I'm not immersed in the library world, you can find me enjoying the great outdoors, crafting, or cuddling my cats, Freyja and Astrid.

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 even after becoming librarian, Kris is always looking for ways to support English teachers in a way that the library is integral to their success.

[she/her]I have a Siberian Husky who is three years old. Love reading horror, thrillers, fantasy and historical monographs.

I was a high school English teacher for 17 years before joining the library world. I have been the Youth Services Librarian at the Yankton Community Library for a little over 4 years. I am a member of the SD Teen Choice committee. I love reading just about every genre except alien sci-fi. Some of my favorite books I have read are junior books including Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd and Not Nothing by Gayle Forman. My favorite author is Jodi Picoult (Small Great Things, A Spark of Light, and Lone Wolf are my favorites) and my favorite genre is historical fiction. ... Read more

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 digital accessibility are also special areas of interest. In 2022 she helped launch 23 Linked Data Things, a self-paced online learning program for staff. This work led to receiving a 2024 Mover and Shaker award from Library Journal. She holds an M.A. in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wiscons... Read more

Maggie Snow is the Minitex Director and has been working in libraries for 30+ years. Snow is a former president of the Minnesota Library Association and was awarded MLA’s William G. Asp Distinguished Career Award in 2018. She is a board member of the Minnesota Library Foundation. She is currently an active member of the Legislative Committee and the Awards Committee. Snow has presented at conferences and offered training at the local, state and national level on library management, youth services, and reader’s advisory. A knitter, chair caner, and a three-time community education beginning...