Join State Library Staff and new SDSL ILL/Systems Librarian P.J. Koch to discuss resource sharing in South Dakota. Bring your questions and thoughts on best practices, challenges, and future developments.
Join fellow library staff for an open conversation about hiring and collaborating with performers for Summer Reading. We'll share successful strategies for promoting performers, explore opportunities to partner with nearby libraries, and discuss any challenges or concerns participants have encountered. This session is designed as an informal group discussion and may be divided into East River and... See More →
This session is an informal time for librarians to come together and discuss anything related to programming in libraries. Talk to other librarians that have lead programs for years as well as newer programming librarians. Feel free to vent about anything and everything in a safe space. While expressing opinions is encouraged, there will be time limits to ensure everyone has time to voice their... See More →
South Dakota native Noel Hamiel is a career journalist who retired in 2007. Afterwards, he spent five years traveling throughout the state to help communities establish their own philanthropic funds through the South Dakota Community Foundation.His first book, Sketches of South Dakota, was published in 2001. One of his most well-known works is South Dakota's Mathis Murders: Horrors in the... See More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See 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... 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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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... See More →
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,... See More →
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
The South Dakota State Library is going to do a live state library update. That's right, not over Zoom, but in-person!! The update will give attendees a chance to hear about the current doings regarding programs and services of the state library from the people who do the work. Plus, there will be ample opportunity to ask questions and really grill or stump the team.
Get ready to book-talk to your teens! Discover and explore the South Dakota Teen Choice books from the 2026-2027 list. Presented by the Young Adult Reading Program Committee.
As patron expectations shift towards intuitive, app-driven interfaces, the traditional OPAC is no longer the Final Frontier for discovery of your collection. This session explores how the Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN) is moving beyond traditional catalog searches to create a dynamic, patron-first digital ecosystem. We will fly over Undiscovered Country and dive into our recent... See More →
I am the Director of ODIN (Online Dakota Information Network), where I oversee library management system support and technical operations for a consortium of 69 libraries across North Dakota. I also serve as the current president of NDLA (North Dakota Library Association).
This program will address the changing copyright environment as AI is used in creating everything from student papers to reference answers to images to some really creepy videos (and less creepy videos). What is copyrighted? Who owns that copyright? What can you use for personal use or in class? How do you cite AI created material? There are so many question, I will address as many as I can... See More →
Government Documents Librarian, H M Briggs Library, South Dakota State University
I have been a librarian for over 30 years and still love going to work. Outside of work, I have a cat and dog, I love to read, and I knit, crochet, and spin yarn.
Friday October 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:10am CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
Working in a public library next to public schools brings many opportunities. Having dozens of unattended elementary aged students and teens in the library also poses unique challenges to keeping the public library an inviting space for all guests. Amy and Claire have worked together to implement procedures and programs with proven results to create a library space for everyone. This presentation... See More →
In 2025-2026, three South Dakota institutions participated in the first year of the Minitex Network for Open & Affordable Practices (MNOP) OER Pathfinder Grant program, a regional microgrant initiative designed to support locally driven open education and affordability efforts. This session brings together librarians from Augustana University, South Dakota State University, and the University of... See More →
Fine Arts Liaison and Technology Librarian, University of South Dakota, University Libraries
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... Read More →
Open Education & Affordable Content Librarian, Minitex
Greg Argo is the Open Education & Affordable Content Librarian at Minitex, where he supports libraries and educators working to make course materials more accessible, affordable, adaptable, and sustainable. He leads regional initiatives related to open educational resources (OER), affordab... Read More →
In 2025, Rapid City Public Library partnered with Pennington County Jail's IGNITE program to create Reconnecting Families Through Reading, an initiative designed to strengthen family bonds despite physical separation. In this session, we will look at the development of this collaboration, lessons learned through the process, and the future of this unique program.
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 11:40am CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) offers a variety of grants to support the work of nonprofits across the state to help them realize their dreams and continue investing in their communities. SDCF Grant Programs include: South Dakota Fund, Nonprofit Savings Account, Community Savings Account, and in partnership with the Bush Foundation, Beyond Idea Grant and Bush Prize: South Dakota.... See More →
For more than twenty years, author Jean L.S. Patrick has been making nonfiction come alive for thousands of students in South Dakota and throughout the United States with her interactive presentations and energetic writing workshops.Jean is the award-winning author of twelve books, including Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics, The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth, and four... See More →
Friday October 2, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Ramkota Pierre920 W. Sioux Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
