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Armed with a newly renewed, highest-level certification from the South Dakota Library Association and two state-certified staff members, the Watertown Regional Library is turning its focus to the future.
The library staff and board members are planning a big, year-long celebration in 2025, which marks the 125th anniversary of the library.
Maria Gruener
Library Director Maria Gruener told the Watertown Current that the library will have lots of events to mark the quasquicentennial. She’s keeping details under wraps for now, but ideas include a city-wide reading contest and a new, updated library app.
“There will be a lot of fun things going on,” she said.
The library, which first opened in February 1900, recently was awarded an exemplary certification from the South Dakota Library Association, the highest level of certification available. The certification is good for three years. Watertown earned that level for the first time three years ago.
The state association has some high standards for achieving exemplary status, and this year, just eight libraries in South Dakota achieved that level.
“They look at whether or not we’re having monthly board meetings, whether or not we’re following state statutes, and they look at funding levels,” Gruener said. “It’s kind of whole range of different things. They check to make sure we have a technology plan that shows what technology we’re planning on adding in the next few years, a marketing plan that shows how we are trying to reach the community, and a strategic plan so we know what our goals are for the future.”
Other cities whose libraries earned the highest level were Brookings, Pierre, Rapid City, Vermillion, Custer, Spearfish and Hill City.
“Our library board has done a lot of continuing education for us over the past three years,” she said, “just keeping up with trends on what’s happing in the library world across the nation.”
Gruener also holds a “Director 1” certification with the state association, and children’s librarian Sarah Overvaag also earned state certification.
Watertown’s library has been on the cutting edge of library services in recent years, offering much more than books and movies to check out. Its “Library of Things” includes Bramble Park Zoo passes, State Park stickers, Watertown Concert Association tickets, musical instruments, bakeware, bicycles and much more.
