About Us: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where are you located in Pierre, SD?
Q. How may I get a library card?
Q. What is SDLN?
Q. What is the State Library's Internet Use Policy?
Q. Do you have a list of all the materials (books/videos, etc.) in your library?
Q. How can I get materials from other libraries in South Dakota and in other states for me?
Q. How long will it take for me to receive requested material/information?
Q. Do you loan music CDs or cassettes?
Q. Do you loan talking books to non-impaired persons?
Q. Tell me about the Braille and Talking Book Library.
Q. Do you have typewriters or computers with word processing available for public use?
Q. Do you have a photocopier available for public use?
Q. Do you have fax machine for public use?
Q. Who was Mercedes MacKay and why was the building named after her?
Q. Does the State Library have a vision statement or strategic plan?
Q. Can I purchase a directory of South Dakota libraries?
Q. Are South Dakota Grant Directories still being published?
Q. Where are you located in Pierre?
A. The State Library is located two blocks north of the Capitol Building. It faces Governors Drive and Hilgers Gulch, situated between the Kneip Building and the Cultural Heritage Center, the second building north of the intersection of Governors Drive and Church Street. Here is a map showing the location.
Q. How may I get a library card?
A. An electronic form to request a State Library card is available.
Q. What is SDLN?
A. SDLN, or the South Dakota Library Network, is a statewide, multi-type library system, containing the catalogs of the State Library and over 50 South Dakota member libraries. The catalog itself is also called SDLN. You can view a small map or a large, scrollable map of SDLN member libraries. More about SDLN as an organization.
Q. What is the State Library's Use Policy?
A. Here is the Public Internet Use Policy.
Q. Do you have a list of all the materials (books/videos, etc.) in your library?
A. There is no written list of books or magazines. State Library books/videos are listed in the SDLN catalog.
Q. How can I get materials from other libraries in South Dakota and in other states for me?
A. You will need a library card from your nearest SDLN member public or school library, as a State Library card only allows you access to the electronic resources. You can request books in person from your local library or you can sign in to the SDLN catalog at http://apollo.sdln.net/F/?func=find-b-0&local_base=sds. Using your local library card, click on the “InterLibrary Loan Request" button that appears above descriptions of individual books or articles. Complete the form by indicating the date you need the materials and click “Go”. You will then see an InterLibrary Loan confirmation form indicating that your request has been sent.
Q. How long will it take for me to receive requested material/information?
A. Dependent upon availability, type of request and accessibility, you may receive a response within 24 hours but also may wait for up to six weeks (if your library needs to obtain materials from out-of-state).
Q. Do you loan music CDs or cassettes?
A. No. The SD State Library does not maintain a collection of recorded books or music for circulation except for recorded books for registered patrons of the Braille & Talking Book Library.
Q. Do you loan talking books to non-impaired persons?
A. No. Federal guidelines restrict use of this collection to registered patrons of the Braille & Talking Book Library.
Q. Tell me about the Braille and Talking Book Library.
A. Here is the Braille and Talking Book section of our website.
Q. Do you have typewriters or computers with word processing available for public use?
A. No.
Q. Do you have a photocopier available for public use?
A. No.
Q. Do you have fax machine for public use?
A. No.
Q. Who was Mercedes MacKay and why was the building named after her?
A. Mercedes MacKay was State Librarian from 1939 to 1974. A bill was passed in the 1993 Legislature to rename the State Library to the Mercedes MacKay State Library (SL 1993, ch 162).
Q. Does the State Library have a vision statement or strategic plan?
A. Yes. It is called: South Dakota Libraries for the 21st Century: An LSTA Five Year Plan 2008-2013
Q. Can I purchase a directory of South Dakota libraries?
A. The directory is no longer being published. An online version of the State Library's SD Library Directory has been mounted on SDLN.
Q. Are South Dakota Grant Directories still being published?
A. This directory is no longer published in paper. The "South Dakota Grant Directory" is now available as a website that will be updated in 2008. It displays best in 4.0+ browsers.
