Libraries are more than books

Angela Bailey
Posted 2/1/25

Guest column defends state library

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Libraries are more than books

Posted

As the Director of the Huron Public Library, with the support of the Library Board of Trustees, I am compelled to address the proposed defunding of the South Dakota State Library. While there may appear to be short-term financial benefits to this decision, the long-term consequences for public libraries and the communities they serve would be devastating.

The South Dakota State Library provides essential services that help ensure equitable access to information, resources, and opportunities for all residents, regardless of their location or economic status. Consider just a few of the critical services that would be lost:

· Interlibrary Loan: The State Library funds the courier system that allows libraries to share materials statewide. In 2024, the Huron Public Library facilitated 705 interlibrary loan transactions thanks to this system.

· Event Calendar: The online event calendar we use to inform patrons and register them for library programs is funded by the State Library.

· Librarian Education: The State Library offers essential training for librarians, ensuring high-quality services statewide. Programs like Library Institute help non-degreed librarians stay current in the profession, while new tools such as the 2024 Library Board Handbook support better governance.

· Online Databases: These resources are vital for schoolwork, genealogy research, small business development, and more. Defunding would leave citizens without access to these tools or force individuals to pay for expensive subscriptions.

· Libby Content: The State Library supports the South Dakota Titles to Go consortium by helping administer the collection. With the elimination of online databases, public libraries will face tough decisions about providing access to digital resources. For smaller libraries, this could result in the inability to pay consortium fees, potentially eliminating patron access to Libby. This change would significantly impact users, especially those on fixed or limited incomes.

Defunding the South Dakota State Library would have a ripple effect, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, where access to physical libraries and resources is already limited. This decision could:
Widen the information gap between urban and rural communities.
Limit access to government publications, laws, regulations, and historical records, hindering transparency and civic participation.

Deprive students and educators of valuable research tools, impacting education across the state.

Force public libraries to bear the financial burden of replacing these resources, resulting in difficult budgetary decisions and reduced services.

Libraries are more than just buildings with books. They are centers of community connection, learning, and opportunity. In 2024, the Huron Public Library welcomed 87,846 visitors, circulated 171,380 items, and hosted 30,587 attendees at library programs. As our mission statement declares, we “strive to enrich the quality of life in Huron by providing library materials and services which anticipate and respond to the informational, educational, and entertainment needs of Huron residents to promote lifelong learning”.

If you believe in the importance of equitable access to information and education, I urge you to contact your state legislators and voice your support for the South Dakota State Library. Let them know that defunding this institution would hurt libraries and communities across the state, with long-term consequences we cannot afford to ignore.

Thank you for your continued support of libraries and the vital role they play in our society.

Angela Bailey
Huron Public Library Director
On behalf of the Huron Public Library Board of Trustees