Huron Library Board hears from District 22 legislators

By Benjamin Chase of the Plainsman
Posted 12/18/24

Potential cuts to state library budget major issue in conversation with legislators

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Huron Library Board hears from District 22 legislators

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HURON –– The Huron Library Board held their monthly board meeting at the Huron Public Library on Tuesday with a full house to hear from District 22 legislators.

Sen. David Wheeler, Rep. Lana Greenfield and Rep. Kevin Van Diepen answered questions from the board and from gathered residents regarding a proposed cut to the South Dakota state library system in Gov. Kristi Noem’s budget proposal.

Huron library director Angela Bailey explained that the South Dakota Titles To Go Consortium, affectionately known as "Libby," which would be significantly — if not totally — cut in the proposed budget, was utilized nearly 20,000 times by library patrons in the past year. Interlibrary loan was utilized by Huron library patrons to borrow 513 items and loan 484 items. She also explained the value of the library programs in the state in the absence of statewide after-school funding as a resource for families.

Multiple community members explained to legislators that the library is utilized by people of all ages and is integral to the learning process of all ages as well. Huron school librarians explained how the state library system was vital for students to utilize as a resource for research projects and day-to-day learning. High school librarian Rachel Kary explained that dual-credit students would potentially be cut off from access to that reserach material for their college-level courses if the funding cuts go through.

Sarah Jones-Lutter, the librarian in Redfield, mentioned that a federal matching grant was zeroed out in the proposed budget. The grant would give the state $1.3 million in funds if the state were to supply matching fund of one-third that amount. However, the current funding proposal would lose that “free money” due to state non-participation, Jones-Lutter stated.

Wheeler and Greenfield both spoke to experience in Pierre and stated that the Governor’s budget proposal is not locked in place and advocacy, like the group of community members present on Tuesday, could have a significant impact in the decisions of legislators in the budget process.

Van Diepen noted that, as a first-time legislator, he has not been through the budget process, but he will vote for the best budget for the people of District 22, whatever that means. He reiterated the importance of the library to his own family and his desire to keep the library strong.

The board finished out their regular meeting with business of the board and adjourned.