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South Dakota State Library Budget Cut Could Devastate Local Services, Critics Warn

South Dakota’s local libraries are facing a severe threat to their operations, and critics say that Governor Kristi Noem’s proposed budget cuts could leave them without the support they desperately need.

The state’s library services, which benefit not only public library patrons but also homeschool families, are at risk of being crippled by a $1 million cut to the State Library’s budget. The proposed cuts, announced by the governor during her budget address on December 3, 2024, come in the wake of federal pandemic relief funding depletion and declining state sales tax revenue. Library advocates and professionals fear that this reduction could be disastrous for local communities across the state.

Budget Cuts Set to Eliminate Key Services

Gov. Noem’s proposed budget includes several cuts across various state sectors, but the $1 million reduction to the South Dakota State Library has raised alarms. The library, an essential arm of the Department of Education, currently employs 21 staff members. However, if the proposed budget is passed, the State Library would be forced to lay off 12 of its employees, significantly reducing its capacity to serve the state’s local libraries.

Nancy Van Der Weide, spokesperson for the department, explained that the cuts would impact a wide range of services. In particular, South Dakota’s libraries would lose access to critical databases and interlibrary loan support. While some services like the South Dakota Accessible Library Services, which provides Braille and Talking Books, would remain intact, the remaining staff would be stretched thin.

Kristi Noem budget address South Dakota

Library advocates are particularly concerned about the remaining nine employees who would be tasked with managing a vast array of services, from providing training to local librarians to maintaining the accessibility programs. Many fear that with so few staff members left, the State Library would no longer be able to support local library systems effectively.

Training and Professional Development at Risk

One of the most significant consequences of the proposed cuts would be the elimination of training programs essential for the continued professional development of librarians across the state. The South Dakota Library Association runs a certificate program in public library management, which provides rigorous training to librarians who wish to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Under the current proposal, there would be just two remaining employees to handle all non-accessibility-related services, including professional development. Elizabeth Fox, president of the South Dakota Library Association and a librarian at South Dakota State University, expressed doubt that such a training program could continue under these circumstances. “With two people, they cannot do the training,” Fox said, highlighting the impracticality of maintaining these vital programs with such a reduced staff.

The cuts would make it even harder for local libraries to keep up with changing trends and best practices in library services. Without ongoing professional development, librarians will struggle to provide the most up-to-date services to their communities, leaving both staff and patrons without the tools they need to succeed.

The Impact on Local Communities

The State Library plays a critical role in providing guidance and resources to libraries throughout South Dakota. As Jane Norling, vice president of the State Library Board and director of the Beresford Public Library, put it, the proposed cuts would be like “chopping off at the head” of the State Library, leaving local libraries with no support. With most of the staff gone, local librarians would be left to fend for themselves, trying to serve their communities without the expertise and guidance they rely on from the State Library.

This loss of support would likely have widespread consequences for public access to information in South Dakota. Librarians from across the state worry that the elimination of interlibrary loan services and other essential resources will severely limit the availability of books, educational materials, and reference materials that patrons depend on.

Libraries in rural areas, in particular, are expected to feel the brunt of these cuts. Homeschool families, who already rely heavily on public libraries for resources, could find themselves without access to the materials and services they need to support their children’s education.

The Call for Action

The South Dakota Library Association is not sitting idly by. It has already taken steps to advocate for the State Library’s continued funding, urging library supporters across the state to speak out against the proposed cuts. On its website, the association has posted talking points and resources for individuals who want to make their voices heard.

As the state legislature considers the governor’s budget proposal, librarians and library advocates are mobilizing to make sure that lawmakers understand the full impact of the cuts. Many hope that through grassroots advocacy, they can secure the necessary funding to ensure that South Dakota’s libraries remain strong and capable of serving their communities.

A Crucial Time for South Dakota Libraries

The proposed cuts to the State Library come at a particularly difficult time. In an era when libraries are increasingly relied upon for educational resources, community programs, and digital access, any reduction in funding could have far-reaching consequences. Local libraries in South Dakota are already struggling to meet the needs of their communities, and without the support of the State Library, many may find it even harder to provide essential services.

The debate over the proposed budget cuts is likely to continue in the coming months, but for now, library professionals, patrons, and advocates are doing everything they can to make sure their voices are heard.

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