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G2S Project Code: 2024-SD-94515
State: South Dakota
Fiscal Year: 2024
Grantee
South Dakota State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Brenda Standiford
Director Phone: 605-773-5075
Director Email: Brenda.Standiford@state.sd.us
General Information
Title: Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing (Statewide)
State Project Code: 44
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2025
Abstract: With support from LSTA funding, the South Dakota State Library (SDSL) coordinated interlibrary loan (ILL) services for public and school libraries statewide, and provided ILL service to state employees. SDSL facilitated a statewide courier service that enhanced resource sharing among libraries by providing a cost-effective, efficient alternative to traditional mail. While some libraries were able to borrow directly from one another, SDSL facilitated borrowing and lending for those without direct access capabilities.
State Goal: Access to Information
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$133,730.53
$294,995.22
$0.00
$428,725.75
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Literacy
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Activities
Activity Details
Title: InterLibrary Loan and statewide support
Narrative: The South Dakota State Library partnered with public, school, academic and special libraries to provide a statewide resource sharing network. SDSL facilitated ILL requests for a number of school and small public libraries in the state, but the materials themselves were sent directly between libraries and not through the State Library. SDSL provided access to WorldCat via OCLC’s FirstSearch interface through August 2025 so that all South Dakota libraries could search for materials that may not be available in SD. After August 2025, SDSL provided alternate methods for libraries to search. Ninety-three libraries participated in South Dakota Share-It for lending and borrowing. For the period of October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2025, 79,203 interlibrary loan borrowing requests for returnable and non-returnable items were processed by South Dakota libraries.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 87,620
Average number of items circulated / month: 3,651
Total number of ILL transactions: 79,203
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 3,300


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 106
Academic Libraries: 16
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 4
School Libraries: 212
Other: 0
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Courier Service Statewide
Narrative: Through LSTA support, the South Dakota State Library (SDSL) facilitates a statewide courier service that enhances resource sharing among libraries by providing a cost-effective, efficient alternative to traditional mail. This service enables participating libraries to borrow and lend physical materials, expanding access to collections. By strengthening interlibrary loan infrastructure, the courier service supports access to information. It also reinforces the goals of the LSTA by promoting collaboration, improving service delivery, and ensuring that all South Dakotans have access to the library resources they need. Forty-eight libraries utilized the statewide courier service for shipping and returning items. 126,031 items traveled through the courier system.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 126,031
Average number of items circulated / month: 5,251
Total number of ILL transactions: 126,031
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 5,251


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 106
Academic Libraries: 10
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Ninety-three libraries continued to participate in South Dakota Share-It for lending and borrowing. In 2025, budget uncertainties at both the state and federal levels raised concerns about the sustainability of courier services. A coalition of South Dakota libraries proactively convened to explore alternative delivery options. Although these contingency plans were ultimately not needed, the episode underscored the importance of interlibrary collaboration and adaptability in the face of potential funding disruptions. The courier service, utilized by 48 libraries and funded through LSTA grants, is now managed by two vendors following the closure of the previous provider. The service experienced a notable increase in cost.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The 2025 budget uncertainties and the proactive response by a coalition of libraries to explore alternative courier solutions highlight the sector’s resilience and readiness to collaborate in the face of funding instability. Resource sharing is of utmost importance, but libraries may have to share in the cost of the service in the future.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The funding uncertainties in 2025 initially created concern across the library community, but they also opened the door to new collaborative possibilities. In response to the potential disruption of ILL services, the South Dakota State Library began exploring a partnership with North Dakota to establish an interlibrary loan (ILL) bridge between the two states. This proactive approach not only highlights the importance of regional cooperation in times of fiscal uncertainty but also presents a scalable model that other states could consider for ILL and other shared services.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
Yes
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Administrative Records
Review Surveys
Interviews
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Statistical Methods
Qualitative Methods
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
Other: "Town hall" type Zoom meetings were held where any librarian could log in and participate.
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Pre-post comparison for a reported output or outcome: Evaluation for the project was conducted as part of the LSTA 5-year plan review process. Report was submitted and accepted by IMLS.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: