Public Libraries (Library Development) | Standards

Standards

• Public Libraries
• Accreditation
• Certification
• School Libraries

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Public Libraries

Accreditation

South Dakota Public Library Standards is a self-evaluation tool. The purpose of the voluntary certification and accreditation program for public libraries and librarians in South Dakota is to encourage the ongoing development of quality library service in the state. In particular, these standards are intended to:

• Provide a tool to assess the quality of library service
• Identify areas needing improvement
• Aid libraries in gaining maximum community support

Applications are accepted September 8 through December 4, 2015.

For a listing of accredited South Dakota Public Libraries, please continue here.

South Dakota Public Library Standards
The purpose of the voluntary certification and accreditation program for public libraries and librarians in South Dakota is to encourage the ongoing development of quality library service in the state.

The manual is divided into three sections by level of accreditation. Each section is then divided into the following categories:

• Governance
• Administration
• Access
• Collections and Resources
• Funding
• Staffing
• Technology
• Public Relations

Each standard is presented as a statement, allowing the library to easily determine whether it meets or does not meet the criteria. There are three levels of accreditation:

• ESSENTIAL — the minimum which should be available to all
• ENHANCED — an expansion of services beyond the basic
• EXEMPLARY — the highest level of service

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Certification

The South Dakota State Library oversees a voluntary certification program for South Dakota public library directors and library staff. The goals of this program are to help library directors and staff acquire, maintain, and develop skills through continuing education in order to provide better library service to their communities. Through this program, the State Library recognizes public library directors and staff who update their knowledge and skills on a continuing basis.

An individual's certification is valid for three (3) years. To renew at the same level will require 30 contact hours of continuing education during that 3-year period.

The annual certification deadline is August 31. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Certification applications will be available in the spring.

Forms for Certification

• Application for Voluntary Certification/ Renewal
• Contact Hours Form

Applicants must supply a diploma, transcripts, and/or approved contact hours form (above) for SDSL committee approval.

For a listing of the South Dakota librarians who have received certification, please review:

• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013

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Online Resources

Programs

• Braille & Talking Book Program
• Continuing Education
• Cornerstone
• Government Publication Depository
• Library Training Institute
• Prairie Bud &Prairie Pasque Book Awards
• RACE Webinars
• School Library Boot Camp
• South Dakota Online State Publications
• South Dakota Titles To Go
• YARP: Young Adult Reading Program
• ... More Programs