Siouxland Wins of 2024
Published on December 10, 2024
Some Firsts: Here are a few things that premiered this year and were so successful you’ll see them every year from here on out!
Scary on the Prairie Program Series: Our first horror programming series took place in October. There were four programs, a mystery kit, and movie kits at the branches. We also highlighted book recommendations from different horror categories.
Author Fair: The event featured two panels, one on publishing and one on true crime, and the opportunity to meet local authors.
Adult Bookmark Contest: We have Teen Bookmark Contests every year to celebrate the Summer Reading Program. Now it’s the adults time to shine! They created bookmarks with the theme Winter Reading. Make sure to stop into any library to get a bookmark (while supplies last)!
Book Nooks: Siouxland Libraries partnered with REACH Literacy to provide a curated selection of children’s books at local businesses where families are waiting for a service. Book Nooks are currently located at eight businesses in Sioux Falls.
Expanded Access: Expanded access was added at our Garretson, Baltic, Colton, and Humboldt Branches. That means that you can visit those branches outside of the staffed operating hours. Expanded access hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is also available at Crooks and Hartford. To enroll in this awesome service, you will need to register at one of these branches during staffed hours.
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Oldies but goodies: These aren’t new but we’re proud of them!
Community Room and Homebound: Staff do a ton of outreach in the community, like community room visits and homebound deliveries. Community room visits usually happen at senior housing, care facilities, and assisted living centers. Staff bring materials for the residents to browse and check out, all without leaving their buildings! For homebound services, staff work one on one with customers who are unable to come to the library because of advanced age, long-term illness, or physical disabilities. Staff will deliver books selected according to customer preferences once a month.
Middle School Programs: Teen programmers visit Sioux Falls middle schools once a month to teach students fun skills. Past themes have included DIY marble magnets, build your own catapults, and trivia. In doing so, they also emphasize the importance of libraries and encourage kids to visit our branches!
Staff Development: All locations closed at noon in May and October for our Siouxland Libraries in-services. All staff gathered at the Downtown Library for professional development sessions about our summer and winter reading programs, the history of Siouxland Libraries, de-escalation, talking books from the State Library, and more! Our leadership team also met this year for our first offsite leadership in-service, giving them time to focus on business without interruptions.
Building Updates: The Caille Branch Library got a face lift this year, with an exterior fresh coat of paint. Stay tuned for new lights and shelving rearrangement in the kid’s area. The Hartford, Humboldt, and Garretson Branches are also getting new shelving. Stop in and take a look at that when they're finished!
Social Media: Our LinkedIn account had a successful first year, highlighting staff accomplishments, staff anniversaries, and local business leaders’ favorite reads. In April, our Instagram account went viral with our solar eclipse video and our Facebook page went viral for our Synchronized Shelving video. Follow these accounts and catch our next viral moment!
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