Rapid City Public Library named to USA Today top 10
By By Scott Aust
Rapid City Journal staff
Friday, March 07, 2008
An article in USA Today has named Rapid City Public Library as one of the top 10 libraries in the nation in an article published March 7. Nancy Pearl, author of Book Lust. shared her list of favorite public libraries with Tim Smight for USA TODAY.
The other nine libraries are in Minneapolis; Phoenix; Springfield, Mo.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Milwaukee; Oak Park, Ill.; South Euclid, Ohio; Snohomish, Wash.; and Louisville, Ky.
Nancy Pearl, a national author and library advocate, visited the Rapid City Public Library in 2006 as part of a state library association conference. She was “struck by how sunny, vibrant and yet cozy it felt.”
Pearl was interviewed for a Friday article in USA Today naming the library one of the 10 great places in the nation to “find a nook and read a book.” (click here to read the article)
Library director Greta Chapman said Pearl’s mention is a significant, once-in-a-lifetime honor, given Pearl’s expertise with books and libraries.
“She’s the guru. She’s an author, a consultant, a librarian. She’s a very magnetic and thoughtful person,” Chapman said. “She really knows her craft well, both the tradition and what’s changing in libraries. That’s what makes it as much of an honor as being highlighted in a national syndicated newspaper.”
Chapman said Pearl recognized Rapid City both for its traditional library services and for its willingness to embrace new technologies as it continues to connect with the community. She said libraries are seeing change in how people read and use information and how they share community spaces.
“I think she picked up on what we’re doing to meet that challenge, and that is making a public space that’s welcoming, inviting and intuitive,” Chapman said. “It’s comfortable to hang out here.”
Chapman said people who come in the building can navigate through the building by themselves, or ask for help. At the same time, the library is offering similar services in the virtual world with its online presence.
According to a press release, the library serves as a “community gathering place, offering a large array of materials and services to the public who are thirsty for information, culture, entertainment and even a cappuccino.”
Chapman said for the last century, the image of a librarian has been about face-to-face interactions with patrons. But that is changing due to the Internet.
“We have generations of people that will never have that kind of relationship with a librarian,” she said, adding that service and interaction will nonetheless be just as valuable and important to them in an online world.
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