South Dakota State Library Services

Guidelines for Librarian Certification Renewal

Certification is valid for three years. To renew, librarians must complete 30 continuing education contact hours (CECHs) within the three-year certification period. See the SD Certification Program Guidelines for complete details.

Acceptable Activities and Required Documentation

The following activities are eligible for CECH credit. Submit the appropriate documentation with your renewal application:

• Training sessions sponsored by SDSL, SDLA, or other recognized library organizations, including online classes or webinars (live or archived). Documentation: Certificate of completion or log details using the CE Record Form.
• Library, technology, or education conferences hosted by organizations such as SDLA, MPLA, ARSL, PLA, ALA, Internet Librarian, Computers in Libraries, or TIE. Documentation: Certificate of attendance. If unavailable, submit the conference schedule with the sessions you attended clearly marked.
• Library science courses taken through an accredited college or university. Credit: 1 semester hour = 15 contact hours. Documentation: Official or unofficial transcript showing completed coursework.
• Other workshops, seminars, or conferences not listed above but relevant to library services. Requirement: Must be pre-approved by the South Dakota State Library. Documentation: Completed Contact Hours Approval Form.

For your convenience, the following resources are provided by the State Library for obtaining and recording continuing education activities.

Certification is awarded for three years.

Continuing Education Contact Hour (CECH) Requirements for Library Boards

To qualify for accreditation, library boards must complete 15, 30, or 45 continuing education contact hours (CECHs) within the three years leading up to the application, depending on the desired accreditation level. CECHs must come from educational events that focus on library board-related topics.

General Guidelines for CE Requirements:

• Shared Responsibility: CECHs are a collective requirement; no single board member may fulfill all hours on behalf of the board.
• Online CE Limits: For Enhanced and Exemplary accreditation levels, limits apply to the number of CECHs that may be earned through online training.
• Record Keeping: Each library is responsible for tracking and maintaining accurate records of the board’s CECH participation.

Refer to standards #10, #39, #64 in the Standards Manual for detailed requirements by accreditation level.

For your convenience, the following resources are provided by the State Library for obtaining and recording continuing education activities.

Relevant topics for trustee trainings

Credit is given for continuing education events that help trustees fulfill their roles effectively. 

• Library Governance and Policy Development: Training on the roles and responsibilities of library trustees, including understanding bylaws, developing library policies, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Strategic Planning and Goal Setting: Workshops focused on creating and implementing strategic plans for the library, setting long-term goals, and measuring success through key performance indicators.
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Training on library budgeting processes, financial oversight, understanding financial statements, and fundraising strategies to ensure the library’s financial health.
• Advocacy and Community Engagement: Programs on how to advocate for library funding and resources, build relationships with local government officials, and engage with the community to better serve their needs.
• Library Ethics and Intellectual Freedom: Workshops that cover ethical decision-making, the principles of intellectual freedom, and how to handle challenges related to censorship and the collection development process.
• Legal Issues in Libraries: Training on legal topics relevant to libraries, such as open meetings laws, public records requests, patron privacy, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
• Board Leadership and Team Building: Sessions focused on effective board leadership, fostering a collaborative relationship between trustees and the library director, and building a strong, cohesive board.
• Technology and Digital Literacy: Training on emerging technologies, digital literacy programs, and how libraries can support their communities in navigating the digital world.
• Fostering a Welcoming and Fair Environment: Programs that highlight the importance of cultivating a welcoming atmosphere in library services, staff hiring, and board governance, while ensuring all patrons feel respected and valued.
• Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness: Training on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and other crises that may impact library operations.

Additional guidelines for earning CECHs toward public library accreditation

• Credit may be given for live or recorded webinars, in-person trainings, and conference sessions covering the above topics that are sponsored by the State Library and  library organizations such as SDLA, MPLA, ARSL, ALA.
• Training events and activities not sponsored by recognized library organizations should be submitted to the State Library for approval. Use the contact hours approval form.
• Acceptable activities should be organized events. For example credit will not be given for individual reading however an organized discussion of a topic by library board members from a publication such as the South Dakota Trustee manual may qualify for continuing education hours.
• Credit will not be given for public lectures and programs hosted by the library such as author lecture series unless the subject matter fits one of the above relevant topics for trustee trainings.
• CECHs earned by the library director may not be included.

Libraries are accredited for three years.

Below are messages from our Monthly Email Tips Series posted to the public library directors listserv.

November: Why Accreditation Matters for Your Library

South Dakota’s Public Library Voluntary Accreditation program helps libraries evaluate and improve services using a simple checklist of standards. The standards are organized into topical areas including administration, funding, staffing, collections, and technology. Each standard is written as a clear statement to help libraries assess whether they meet the criteria.

Libraries can be accredited at three levels—Essential, Enhanced, and Exemplary—so every library can participate, regardless of size or resources. The Essential level is the foundation, representing basic standards that all public libraries should meet to provide quality services and equitable access to their community.

Accreditation is a valuable process for library staff and trustees because it clarifies the library’s legal and service expectations and encourages thoughtful review of plans and policies. Accreditation also brings public recognition and can be a great advocacy tool, helping you demonstrate the library’s value to local leaders and your community. Think of it as an opportunity for everyone to work together to make your library even better.