This fall, we invite all South Dakota libraries to participate in a month of storytime events across the state! In celebration of November's National Picture Book month and to highlight the importance of reading aloud, participating libraries will plan a special storytime to share this year's Prairie Bud winner See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle.
Each library's storytime event can take place anytime in November and can take whatever form they choose. Special guest readers are a great addition to this event and are highly encouraged, specifically (but not limited to) local legislators or other local government officials. This is a great way to connect them with your community!
Benefits
- Celebrate the value and benefits of reading aloud!
- Special events often draw in community members that have not previously been to the library.
- Highlight the Prairie book awards (this year's title is the current Prairie Bud winner!) and encourage voting in your community.
- Connect community members to local legislators and local government.
How to Participate
- Register your library to participate - All registered libraries will receive access to a digital toolkit with helpful materials to aid in planning the event, including a special video message for SD libraries from author David LaRochelle for you to share on your social media. The first 50 registered public libraries will also receive a package of a few extra goodies!
- Once registered, review the digital toolkit and start making plans for your Storytime SD event.
- Make sure you have a copy of this year's selected title - See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle. This title was the 2023-24 Prairie Bud winner so you hopefully already have this title in your collection!
- Determine the date and time of your Storytime SD event in November.
- Reach out to possible special guest readers.
- Once you have a date, time, and other basic details, please share event details with SDSL.
- Hold your event and have fun! Take photos and collect comments to share with SDSL. Post on your library social media account with #StorytimeSD. SDSL will then share and celebrate the all the Storytime SD events that took place throughout November.
Participating Libraries
The following list includes participating libraries. Dates listed below are subject to change.
| Library | Date | Guest Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche Public Library | Nov 12 | |
| Beresford Public Library | Nov 12 | |
| Bowdle Public Library | Nov 25 | |
| Clear Lake City Library | Nov 8 | Lisa Lundberg, Mayor of Clear Lake, SD |
| Cozard Memorial Library | Nov 20 Nov 21 |
|
| Deadwood Public Library | Nov 20 | Mayor and Police Chief |
| Edgemont Public Lbrary | Oct 28 | Dr. Graves, SD Secretary of Education |
| Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library | Nov 13 | |
| Evalyn Lang Public Library | Nov 8 | |
| Grant County Public Library | Nov 6 | |
| Gregory Public Library | Nov 16 | George Seamon, State Librarian |
| Hand County Library | Nov 14 | Hand County Commissioner at the United Methodist Church |
| Harrisburg Community Library | Nov 12 | Mayor Derick Wenck and Alderman Kevin Maxwell |
| Hill City Public Library | Nov 15 | |
| Hot Springs Public Library | Nov 7 | Mayor Bob Nelson |
| Huron Public Library | Nov 26 | Beadle Co. Humane Society |
| Hyde County Library | Nov 19 | Vicki Day, Mayor of Highmore |
| Java Public Library | Nov 4 | Mayor Gene Buechler |
| KO Lee Aberdeen Public Library | Nov 19 | Robin Bobzien, Aberdeen City Manager |
| Lake Andes Public Library | Nov 14 | Lake Andes Mayor Ryan Fredrick and Councilman Connor Florey |
| Lennox Community Library | Nov 8 | |
| Mitchell Public Library | Nov 14 | |
| Moody County Resource Center | Nov 16 | Randy Gross, SD Representative, District 25 |
| New Underwood Library | Nov 26 | Adrian "Gunner" Ludens at the New Underwood School |
| Newell Public Library | Nov 8 | |
| Parker Public Library | Nov 18 | |
| Piedmont Valley Library | Nov 14 | Kim Anderson |
| Sturgis Public Library | Nov 22 | |
| Yankton Community Library | Nov 12 | Yankton Mayor Mason Schramm and City Manager Amy Leon |
| Tripp County Library Grossenburg Memorial | Nov 8 | Sharon Schramm |
| Whitewood Public Library | Nov 20 | Sandy Smith, Library Board President |
Amanda Raiche
1-605-773-3131 (Option 5, 1)
1-605-773-5066
email