The South Dakota State Library, a division of the SD Department of Education, formally and annually recognizes schools with libraries that meet the characteristics of a 21st century school library through its place, professional, and program. Awards recognize the status of the library as Effective, Enhanced, or Exemplary based on the South Dakota School Library Guidelines.
Self Assessment
The 21st Century School Library Self-Assessment may be used as a guide to then formally apply for the award. This tool can be used to help guide decisions about professional practices, advocacy, and strategic planning.
21st Century School Library Self-Assessment updated
Application
Applications are accepted March 1 through May 1 of each year. The 21st Century School Library Committee, comprised of library and education professionals, reviews all applications. Award announcements are made in late May/early June. Awardees are also formally recognized at an annual conference held in the fall. Award status is valid for a three-year period.
Awardees
| School Library | Librarian | Administrator | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
2023-2026 |
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| Alcester-Hudson Elementary School Library | Nola Conner | Tim Rhead | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Alcester-Hudson Junior High/High School Library | Nola Conner | Jason Van Engen | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Belle Fourche High School Library | Karen Schlekeway | Mathew Raba | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Douglas Badger Clark Elementary School Library | Kristyn LaBine | Troy Volesky | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Rapid City West Middle School Library | Shelley Rath | Dan Conrad | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Rapid Valley Elementary School Library | Jennifer Backhaus | Cher Daniel | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Sioux Falls Discovery Elementary School Library | Angela Klopstad | Dan Fischer and Kristina Becker | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| Sioux Falls R.F. Pettigrew Elementary School Library | Nicole Ulvestad and Jennifer Breidenbach | Kevin Dick | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
| West Central Middle School/High School Library | DaNann Tirrel | Eric Knight | Exemplary 2023-2026 |
2022-2025 |
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| Aberdeen Central High School | Mikayla Arechigo | Dr. Jason Uttermark | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Adventure Elementary School, Harrisburg | Elizabeth Wells | Mrs. Angela Nelson | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Creekside Elementary Library, Spearfish | Sheleen Bauer | Dan Olson | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| George McGovern Middle School, Sioux Falls | Sherri Wolles | Timothy Koehler | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Georgia Morse Middle School, Pierre | Renae Lehman | Kyley Cumbow, Brandon Lowery | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Harrisburg High School | Eve Langerock | Ryan Rollinger | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Jefferson High School, Sioux Falls | Emelia Gulck | Daniel Conrad | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| John Harris Elementary School, Sioux Falls | Stefanie Hage | Kersten Dobberpuhl | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Lowell Elementary School, Sioux Falls | Erin Radway | Diane Kennedy | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Sonia Sotomayor Elementary Library, Sioux Falls | Jenni Egstad | Tracy Vik, Jana Greenfield | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| South Park Elementary School, Belle Fourche | Karen Schlekeway | Dr. Julie Hatling | Exemplary 2022-2025 |
| Dakota Valley School High School | Erin Nilges | Nichole Herzog | Effective 2022-2025 |
| Dakota Valley Upper Elementary/MS | Erin Nilges | Nichole Herzog, Erik Sommervold, Tonia Warzecha | Effective 2022-2025 |
2021-2024 |
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| Belle Fourche Middle School Library | Karen Schlekeway | Kevin Smidt | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Brookings High School Library | Jean Kirschenman | Paul vonFischer | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Flandreau Middle/High School Library | Lori Williams | Brian Relf, Nichole Herzog | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Lincoln High School Library, Sioux Falls | Mary Peters | Dr. Laura Raeder | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Patrick Henry Middle School Library, Sioux Falls | Wendy Nelson | Kim Sharping | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Roosevelt High School Library, Sioux Falls | Michelle Clayberg | Tim Hazlett | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Spearfish High School Library | Emily Benvenga | Steve Morford | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| T.F. Riggs High School Library, Pierre | Pamela Kringel | Kevin Mutchelknaus | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Washington High School Library, Sioux Falls | Kerri Smith | Kari Papke | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Watertown High School Library | Kris O'Brien | Brad Brandsrud | Exemplary 2021-2024 |
| Explorer Elementary School Library, Harrisburg | Amy DeNomme | Douglas Eppard | Enhanced 2021-2024 |
| Freedom Elementary School Library, Harrisburg | Tyler Muth | Tanja Pederson | Enhanced 2021-2024 |
| Huron High School Library | Rachel Kary | Mike Radke, Linda Pietz | Enhanced 2021-2024 |
2020-2023 |
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| Douglas Middle School Library, Box Elder | Melissa Hubbell | Greg Seefeldt | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| Harrisburg Middle School Library, Harrisburg | Kristi Jones | Darren Ellwein | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| Horizon Elementary School Library, Harrisburg | Leslee Reiland | Lisa Garrett | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| Madison Central School Libraries, Madison | Joanne Kallhoff | Adam Shaw, Cotton Koch, and Janel Guse |
Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| Robert Frost Elementary School Library, Sioux Falls | Korey Erickson | Lynn Gillette | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| West Central Middle/High School Library, Hartford | DaNann Kistler | Melinda Jensen | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| West Middle School Library, Rapid City | Shelley Rath | Dan Conrad | Exemplary 2020-2023 |
| Elk Point-Jefferson School Libraries, Elk Point | Deedra Holdhusen | Janet Ries, Skyler Eriksen | Enhanced 2020-2023 |
| Piedmont Valley Elementary Library, Sturgis Elementary Library, and Whitewood Elementary Library; Meade 46-1, Sturgis |
Heidi Kruse | Chantal Ligtenberg, Ethan Dschaak, and Brittan Porterfield |
Effective 2020-2023 |
| Rapid Valley Elementary School Library, Rapid City | Jennifer Backhaus | Cher Daniel | Effective 2020-2023 |
2019-2022 |
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| Aberdeen Central High School Library | Mikayla Arechigo | Dr. Jason Uttermark | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Alcester-Hudson Elementary School Library | Nola Conner | Tim Rhead | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Alcester-Hudson Jr/High School Library | Nola Conner | LeeAnn Hasich | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Creekside Elementary School Library, Spearfish | Sheleen Bauer | Dan Olson | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Georgia Morse Middle School Library, Pierre | Renae Lehman | Dr. Kyley Cumbow and Brandon Lowery | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Harrisburg High School Library | Eve Langerock | Ryan Rollinger | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Stagebarn Middle School Library, Piedmont | Scottie Bruch | Dave Olson | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Sturgis Middle School Library | Scottie Bruch | Chad Hedderman | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Dakota Valley Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School Libraries, North Sioux City |
Erin Nilges | Harlan Halverson, Eric Sommervold, and Dr. Jerry Rasmussen |
Enhanced 2019-2022 |
| Lennox Jr/High School Library | Michael Larson | Chad Allison | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| R.F. Pettigrew Elementary School Library, Sioux Falls | Nicole Ulvestad | Kevin Dick | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School Library, Sioux Falls | Jenni Egstad | Tracy Vik | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
| Sturgis Brown High School Library | Scottie Bruch | Pete Wilson | Exemplary 2019-2022 |
2018-2021 |
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| Brookings High School Library, Brookings | Jean Kirschenman | Dr. Paul vonFischer | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Discovery Elementary Library, Sioux Falls | Sharlene Lien | Lois Running | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Journey Elementary Library, Harrisburg | Elizabeth Wells | Rob Sylliassen | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Lincoln High School Library, Sioux Falls | Mary Peters | Robert Grimm | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Memorial Middle School Library, Sioux Falls | Laura Allard | Nancy Hagen | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Oscar Howe Elementary Library, Sioux Falls | Emily Blackwelder | Larry Larsen | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Roosevelt High School Library, Sioux Falls | Jeanne Conner | Tim Hazlett | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Spearfish High School Library, Spearfish | Emily Benvenga | Steve Morford | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Washington High School Library, Sioux Falls | Kerri Smith | Dan Conrad | Exemplary 2018-2021 |
| Explorer Elementary Library, Harrisburg | Amy DeNomme | Doug Eppard | Enhanced 2018-2021 |
| Patrick Henry Middle School Library, Sioux Falls | Wendy Nelson | Kim Sharping | Enhanced 2018-2021 |
| T.F. Riggs High School Library, Pierre | Pam C. Kringel | Kevin Mutchelknaus | Enhanced 2018-2021 |
| Huron High School | Rachel Kary | Mike Radke | Effective 2018-2021 |
| Harvey Dunn Elementary, Sioux Falls | Amy Heinert | Patti Pannell | Effective 2018-2021 |
| Knollwood Heights Elementary, Rapid City | Tracy Benson | Shannon Schaefers | Effective 2018-2021 |
2017-2020 |
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| Douglas Middle School, Box Elder | Melissa Hubbell | Dan Baldwin | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| Douglas High School, Box Elder | Kimberly Darata | administrator | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| Harrisburg South Middle School | Kristi Jones | Darren Ellwein | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| Horizon Elementary, Harrisburg | Leslee Reiland | Tanja Pederson | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| Madison Central School Libraries | Joanne Kallhoff | Cotton Koch, Adam Shaw, and Janel Guse |
Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| West Central Middle/High School, Hartford | DaNann Kistler | Melinda Jensen | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| West Middle School, Rapid City | Shelley Rath | Dan Conrad | Exemplary 2017-2020 |
| Rapid Valley Elementary, Rapid City | Jennifer Backhaus | Cher Daniel | Enhanced 2017-2020 |
| Robert Frost Elementary, Sioux Falls | Korey Erickson | Colleen Werner | Enhanced 2017-2020 |
2016-2019 |
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| Aberdeen Central High School | Lucy Wang | Dr. Jason Uttermark | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Flandreau Middle/High School Library | Lori Williams | Ross Rollinger | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Gettysburg K-12 Library | Mary Quiett | Wendy Smith | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Harrisburg High School | Sheleen Bauer | Kevin Lein | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| RCCSS St. Thomas More Middle School, Rapid City | Jenelle Kirchoff | Keiz Shultz | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Sioux Falls Edison Middle School | Kjerstin Smith | Steve Griffith | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Watertown High School Library | Jean Moulton | Dr. Michael Butts | Exemplary 2016-2019 |
| Lennox Middle/High School Library | Michael Larson | Chad Allison | Enhanced 2016-2019 |
| Sturgis Brown High School | Scottie Bruch | Pete Wilson | Enhanced 2016-2019 |
| Sturgis Williams Middle School | Scottie Bruch | Ann Nonnast | Enhanced 2016-2019 |
| Georgia Morse Middle School, Pierre | Renae Lehman | Dr. Kyley Cumbow | Enhanced 2016-2019 |
| Creekside Elementary Library, Spearfish | Dianne Hemminger | Dan Olson | Enhanced 2016-2019 |
School Library Coordinator
Scottie Bruch
1-605-773-3131 (Option 5, 3)
1-605-295-3152
email