At the Pierre location, eight presenters shared information on library certification, South Dakota State Library’s disc cleaning service, programmatic changes and challenges at Potter Community Library, adult program planning tips and ideas from Brookings Public Library, self-care in bad and toxic workplaces, how to utilize South Dakota Accessible Library Services and how to foster cultural learning and understanding in your library. At noon, participants chatted and helped themselves to a buffet-style, fresh taco lunch from Guadalajara, provided by SDLA.
“I’m so thankful that we were able to host the first SDLA Branch Out event since 2019 in Pierre,” said Josh Easter, SDLA Support Staff Section Chair, “It is a joy connecting, collaborating and sharing with library staff across the state.”
Easter coordinated the Pierre location Branch Out and worked with Melanie Argo of Madison Public Library and Sarah Myers of Custer County Library, whose Branch Out events took place on Aug. 18 and Aug. 23, respectively.
In Madison, four presenters from Madison Community Counseling Services, Brooking Public Library, Briggs Library (SDSU) and Madison Public Library spoke about staff burnout and mental health, adult program planning tips and ideas, time management and mentorship and engagement.
In Custer, four presenters from Custer County Library, Custer School District, Psychological Associates of the Black Hills and Rapid City Public Library spoke about successful programs and tips for program planning, dynamic shelving and collaboration between public schools and libraries, mental health and work-life balance and documenting and tracking adverse incidents.
Among the three Branch Out locations, an estimated 55 people attended and earned continuing education contact hours. Presenter and attendee at the Pierre location, Abby Wright, said, “Branch Out was a lively way to get to know others in the field and gain new perspectives.”
