South Dakota State Library: Library Development e-Newsletter

In Focus

Kathleen Slocum, Continuing Education Coordinator

I am the Continuing Education Coordinator at the State Library. I have been in the position for about seven weeks. I have come to discover that being a librarian is probably one of the best jobs one could have. I get to work with the Library Development staff to plan the continuing education programs that are offered by the State Library. I also organize the Library Training Institute, oversee the accreditation of public libraries and most importantly help educate our librarians.

I grew up in Fort Pierre and graduated from Stanley County High School. When I was young I would read books like the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, both set in New England states. I would look at the Better Homes & Gardens magazine and see all of those beautiful homes in New Hampshire and Connecticut and dream of living there.

I graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in Speech Communications and Mass Communications. After my graduation I left for Boston to follow my dream. I didn’t know anybody but an acquaintance. It was the best thing I ever did. I moved to Nashua, N.H., worked for Time Warner and met my handsome husband Jeff who has roots in South Dakota. That’s a whole other story. One of things I did was spend a lot of time at our local library. The Nashua Public Library opened many doors for me. They made you feel so welcome. Coming from a small town I couldn’t believe all the opportunities they offered. At that time they were considered ahead of their time. They had a computer and in the 1980’s that was a big deal. Since then I also have lived in Sioux Falls, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, Va. and now Pierre. One thing that has been constant for me is the local library. Every one of them had a different style and offered many educational opportunities for myself and my family.

In 2006 when I was hired as the Hands on Partnership director I was told my office would be at the State Library. The HOP program, www.hopsd.org, consisted of five partners who created traveling exhibits combining science, art and literature. During this time I was asked to participate in and facilitate grant programs. I also wrote and received national and regional grants. For the last few years I have represented South Dakota at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.

Working at the State Library I have been able to assist in many projects that have helped me understand and appreciate being a librarian. This career is more than just a job. You do it because you love to teach and learn all of the time. I’m currently taking seminars and pursuing other educational opportunities to help make me a more informed library professional.

My husband, two boys and I are always working with our local Scout organization, church groups or sporting teams. We do most of this as a family. Reading and making time for me doesn’t always make the top of the list, but I do seem to find a few moments every day to read something. I just received a Kindle for my birthday so I’m exploring that right now; still doesn’t beat turning the pages of an old classic book. Someday my boys will be grown and my husband and I will have all the time in the world to travel and visit all of the locations in the stories I read about.

 

continuing education, HOP, staff

 

 

 

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