Your weekend, simplified: Aug. 23, 2024

Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Heat and humidity on deck for the weekend

Status check: How'd the first day/week of school go for those of you for whom that's relevant? My oldest is starting her second year of preschool today, and now I'm already thinking about where she'll start kindergarten next year. She was six months old when I started Sioux Falls Simplified – literally where does the time go?

This week, learn how growing demand for ebooks is affecting the library's budget. Plus, in the spirit of back-to-school season, you'll hear from our friends at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium about how they're helping kids learn through a new program in partnership with Promising Futures Fund.

And now, news:

CITY

What increasing demand for ebooks is costing libraries

Simplified: More people than ever are taking advantage of digital resources from Siouxland Libraries, including ebooks and audiobooks. That means higher costs and a delicate balancing act for the library system's budget.

Photo by Perfecto Capucine / Unsplash

Why it matters

  • The amount of digital materials – books, music, magazines, audiobooks and more – checked out by Siouxland Libraries users increased by 40% so far this year compared to the same time last year, according to data shared by Director Jodi Fick.
  • That's adding up to a significant financial impact, Fick said, especially because digital licensing fees are often more expensive than physical books. In some cases, the library pays a $2 fee for every use of a digital resource. In others, the cost per use can be $7.50 or more.
  • Meanwhile, the library is also seeing a 5% increase in in-person visits to the library as well as use of physical library materials.
  • The takeaway shouldn't be to stop using digital library resources, though, Fick said. Rather, the hope is that if you're going to check out an ebook, read it and be mindful of others who might be waiting for the same book – just like you would for a physical book.
"This is a resource that we all share," Fick said. "Don't waste it."

Why do ebooks cost more?


SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

How the zoo helps kids learn

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.

Simplified: A new effort from the zoo and the Promising Futures Fund will bring more learning opportunities to historically underserved kids. It's just one of many ways the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium emphasizes the importance of literacy and learning.

Why it matters

  • The Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) and Promising Futures Fund have worked together for several years to give kids opportunities to experience the zoo through field trips and scholarships for zoo camps.
  • That partnership will take a more focused look at improving literacy through a new initiative funded by a grant from the Mary Chilton Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Foundation.
  • The program – which will be piloted this year at Garfield Elementary School – will help tie what kids are learning in their classroom to what they experience on field trips to the zoo and the Butterfly House and Aquarium (BHA).
"This really opens up the door for us to not just inspire kids to be more excited about reading, but also to get more excited about animals, nature and conservation, as well," GPZ/BHA Director of Education Leigh Spencer said.

Tell me more about the new program


TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Remember back-to-school safety on the road. Buses are out, kids are walking/biking to class, and there's just going to be more cars on the road in the mornings as everyone adjusts to back-to-school season. Here's a little refresher on the rules of the road for driving around school buses:
School bus safety, simplified
Here’s what you need to know about the rules of the road and how to stay safe during back-to-school season.
  • Meet Sioux Falls longest-tenured teacher. The Sioux Falls Education Foundation this week recognized Jane Eilertson, who's been teaching for 42 years, 40 of which have been at Garfield Elementary School. Here's a picture from the Sioux Falls School District of Eilertson getting a surprise recognition during a staff breakfast Wednesday morning:

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:


ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Stuff to do: Aug. 21-27
Here’s a look at what’s happening this week.
Education trends to watch this year
Kids are heading back to school this week across the region, and as the new academic year kicks off, Sioux Falls Simplified is looking at some emerging education-related trends to watch in the coming year.
Why you may want to get used to parking in ramps
The City of Sioux Falls is looking to extend the hours for paid parking on downtown streets in an effort to keep more spots open for diners, shoppers and visitors.

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or new sneakers I can get muddy on the first day of school to megan@sfsimplified.com.


Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.