SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Libraries across South Dakota are observing National Library Week with events, games, challenges and some are forgiving overdue book fines.
South Dakota is home to over a hundred libraries and State Librarian Daria Bossman says for immigrants and low-income residents, libraries can give them a leg up.
Bossman says one of the most rewarding things she ever saw was a Hipanic mother with her little child reading a book. She says it was obvious that the mother was learning English while the child was reading to her.
Bossman says libraries also offer economic benefits to local communities and she refers to the state library website with a return on investment, or R-O-I calculator.
She explains that for every one dollar that's invested in a public library the community gets back $4.50. Individually, she says, if you use the library a lot your personal return on investment will be much higher.
The theme this week is "Libraries Transform," showcasing how local branches deliver new services to small business and new Americans.
(Thanks Greater Dakota News Service)