There are no library science degrees offered in South Dakota with ALA accreditation. The American Library Association (ALA) is an established organization that reviews curriculum and degrees in library science and is considered the premier accrediting body in the library science industry.

If you are interested in a librarian career, you may consider programs in the nearby states.

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Are There Online Library Science Degrees in South Dakota?

At this time, there are no online programs that feature accreditation from the ALA in South Dakota. Nearby, Iowa features two online library science programs, but they both require at least an on-campus residency.

  • The University of Northern Iowa has an orientation session prior to the beginning of the program.
  • The University of Iowa requires students meet in class each week during the program.

Prior to enrolling into any program, individuals should determine if the curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements. Some programs may not meet particular state requirements or the qualifications needed for certain positions. This includes meeting the renewal requirement for the state of South Dakota.

Admission for a Library Science Master's degree often requires the completion of an undergraduate program with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The institution may evaluate test scores, like the GRE or GMAT, or other documentation that is sent in with the application if GPA scores are not adequate. Some required application items may include letters of recommendation or a personal statement detailing accomplishments and goals.

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University of West Alabama
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South Dakota Career Options in Library Media

Around 500 librarian workers and media collections specialists are estimated in South Dakota according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is on par with many other surrounding states in the region, including North Dakota and Wyoming, but is less than other states toward the east and south. Most of the employment is spread out across the state, but one-fifth can be found in Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls in the largest city in the state with over 190,000 residents. This location provides a number of specialty positions in health care, the local public library system, and schools in the area. The second-largest area in the state is Rapid City with a population of over 80,000 people and additional librarian opportunities.

The Digital Library of South Dakota (DLSD) is a collaboration effort of different organizations and universities to preserve South Dakota history and media collections. They digitize documents, photographs, audio, and video formats for public access and research opportunities.

Library Requirements in South Dakota

Holding a Master’s degree in the discipline of library science opens the door for a number of positions in the field. The South Dakota Library Training Institute provides a pathway for a librarian career in various positions, such as collection development and archiving. Gaining licensure requires a renewal every four years, satisfied with 20 credit hours of continuing education.

School librarianship requires a teaching license along with higher education. In addition, a Praxis II Library Media Specialist exam must be passed with a minimum score of 152. All school-specific licensure is handled by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Siouxland Libraries

The Siouxland Libraries public system serves the Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County locations and brought together different systems in this location in 1995. Various branches offer media collections and services to the public and features a main location in downtown Sioux Falls. Jobs are routinely available for librarian tasks and patron support.

Salary Estimates in South Dakota

ZipRecruiter estimates that the state of South Dakota has an average salary of $53,075 for librarians. This tends to be on the higher end of their list for all states in the country and is around the national average. Many academic and health care positions are available across the state, including Sioux Falls.