AreYouaFishOutofWater?

Are You a Fish Out of Water? Things you need to know when you are a new Library Director!

By Daria Bossman, South Dakota State Librarian

South Dakota has 112 public libraries---libraries in tiny towns with limited space to complex systems with multiple branches stretching across a metropolitan area. Yet they all have a similar issue to deal with each year--and that issue is attrition and staff turnover. Nearly one in five staff will be replaced every year in our state. Often in smaller towns finding qualified candidates can be challenging, particularly if it is a part-time position.

The South Dakota State Library understands the complex issues facing all libraries today. Public libraries are no longer just buildings containing a few thousand shared books. Technology, multiple formats, networks, expanded services and programming for all ages adds to their complexity.

The South Dakota State Library, located in the MacKay Building in Pierre, has developed a website to familiarize new lay librarians with our services and how to manage a 21st century public library. It is appropriately titled “Feel like a Fish out of Water?” The State Libraries website is http://library.sd.gov and the section for new librarians is htts://library.sd.gov/fish. From day one, this section is the best place to start.

TheSDSLprovidesconsultationandassistancetolibraries inareassuchasgrants,standards,children’sprogramming, statistics and record-keeping. Reference assistance and continuing educational opportunities-all tuition fees are shared. And the SDSL has a social media presence on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube. However, your new librarian’s most helpful spot will be signing up for our public library “listserv ” by visiting (http://library.sd.gov/LIB/DEV/listserv.aspx).

This listserv will allow them to get our Cornerstone newsletter blog and receive daily updates on things happening in the state, who to contact with questions and various opportunities available for your community. The “Trustee wiki” (our online Public Library Trustee Handbook) can be accessed from the following website http://library.sd.gov/fish/. This resource can be invaluable aid for your library board as well.

Call us with your questions. We often receive calls from mayors, school superintendents, city clerks or finance officers as well as from local librarians or library board members.We have excellent statistics on our SDlibraries. This current data allows you to do comparative analysis withothercommunitiesofsimilarsizeorcreatelocalgoals forlibraryimprovements.Ourfriendlystaffisheretohelp. We don’t want you to be a “fish out of water” for long! Giveusacallat605-773-3131or1-800-423-6665.Weare here to help.