Libraries: Noem’s proposed cuts would diminish resources, summer reading programs

Governor's budget would result in about 13 layoffs from state library

Jory Kunzman, information services librarian at K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library returns books to the shelves. Libraries across the state are reeling from a proposal to cut funding to the state library, which provides services to local libraries. (Elisa Sand/Aberdeen Insider)

Library patrons who enjoy summer reading programs, access to research databases, genealogy data through ancestry.com and the ability to check out books from neighboring libraries could lose those services.

That’s if Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to slash funding to the state library comes to be.

Noem pitched some $70 million in cuts during her budget address earlier this month. Among them is $1 million in state funding for the South Dakota State Library. That would also mean the loss of $1.4 million in federal funding, and the elimination of 12.5 jobs, according to the proposed budget, library officials say.

That has them working to counteract the plan before the budget is finalized at the end of next year’s legislative session.

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