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South Dakota State Library Services

A list of services provided by the South Dakota State Library.

Annual School Libraries Survey

The School Library Survey runs March 4 - May 3, 2024
  • The State Library uses data collected from the School Libraries Survey (SLS) to track changes and trends in South Dakota School Libraries.
  • Survey information gathered from school libraries helps us provide services such as the statewide electronic resources for research and education, programs like ExCITE! Library Methods Course, and interlibrary loan services.
  • The annual School Libraries Data Digest provides a snapshot of statewide summary data from the SLS. School districts have access to the data for comparison across districts and over time.
  • One survey is filled out by each school. It is okay to project an estimate for survey questions, like circulation, that require a year-end total.
  • Data for all SD schools are available to school librarians and administrators through the survey portal or by contacting the SDSL Data Coordinator. 

*School Survey Link (please print and fill out the worksheet first): https://forms.gle/HTbWofFrrzqnrm6X6 

*Live Q&A Session Recording: https://my.nicheacademy.com/sdslacademy/course/71333  

NEW THIS YEAR (Complete the SLS for no credit OR for 6 Continuing Education Contact Hours)
  • The School Library Survey Course is hosted in Canvas. School library staff will fill our one survey PER SCHOOL. Registration for the course will open in January 2024 here: https://sded.sd.gov/browse/division-of-the-state-library/courses/school-library-survey-2023-2024. 
  • The school librarian can choose to complete the School Library Survey for no credit OR for 6 CECHs (continuing education credit hours).
    • If completing the SLS for no credit, the school librarian will only be required to submit the survey. The link for the survey will be available here starting March 4, 2024. 
    • If completing the SLS for credit, the school librarian will be required to complete 6 hours of coursework which includes watching short informative video presentations, completing reflections about their school library, creating an Annual Report using the data collected for the SLS, and submitting the survey. *If a school librarian is completing multiple surveys for schools in their district, they can only receive credit for the completion of one SLS and will submit the other school surveys for no credit.

*Q&A Session Recording:  https://my.nicheacademy.com/sdslacademy/course/71333 

SLS files