As we celebrate National Library Week in April, we reflect on the valuable role libraries and librarians have in strengthening our communities. The Rapid City Public Library will recognize this annual event with awareness and promotion of the upcoming bookmobile and the unparalleled access to library services it will bring throughout the community where people live, shop, and gather. While the library offers extensive services digitally, librarians reaching and serving the community outside of the building is fulfilling one of the library’s missions and will be commemorated during this time.
A Pew Research poll showed that over 90% of Americans agree that libraries enhance the wellbeing of their communities with access to education and valuable resources. Rapid City is no different. The library continues to evolve, offering new services every year. Some of these offerings give the community access to education and engagement outside of the library, like passes to South Dakota state parks and the Journey Museum. The library serves to meet other community needs with free notary services, faxing, and even WIFI hotspots, allowing internet access to those who are otherwise without this vital connection.
Through the generosity of our community, the Rapid City Library Foundation has been able to fund projects to enhance the library’s services, beyond what is possible through the library’s operational budget. Recent examples include installation of noise dampening materials and the exciting addition of the library’s first bookmobile since the 1980s, expected for delivery in April.
Be sure to watch for the bookmobile in the coming months as it makes its way around town and outlying areas! The library will soon be announcing community bookmobile stops and we encourage you to tour the bookmobile and benefit from its many services. Your donations helped make the bookmobile possible and we can’t thank you enough for your contributions.
The library continues to need your help to fund additional projects. Will you be part of growing the library’s mission to enhance the facility and community access? The Foundation is currently reviewing possible projects, such as beautifying the library grounds with low-maintenance plants that thrive in our unique climate. It’s also the Foundation’s priority to add more cultural elements to the library to artistically express and showcase the Black Hills’ diversity.
Please consider donating: you may give online at rapidcitylibraryfoundation.org, or send a check to the Rapid City Library Foundation at PO Box 1015, Rapid City, SD 57709-1015.
Thank you for your continued support of our community’s public library.
Libraries are a cornerstone of civic and social infrastructure that support strong communities.
The Rapid City Library Foundation’s mission is to foster a legacy of excellence in community education and enrichment through the Rapid City Public Library.
The Rapid City Library Foundation strongly believes that the library plays a vital role in building and sustaining a literate community, promoting healthy mind and bodies, and encouraging civic engagement while offering access to 21st Century technology. The Rapid City Public Library is a cornerstone of our community's high quality of life, as reflected in heavy use by regional residents and high praise from library visitors.
The library’s new bookmobile, sponsored in part by the Foundation, is being built and is scheduled for delivery in early 2024. This has been a significant project and our donors deserve a great THANK YOU for helping make this community outreach goal possible.
Why a bookmobile? Many Rapid City residents live below poverty level or have transportation challenges in getting to the library. In addition, the community is growing, with expanding housing developments several miles from the library. To aid in the library’s strategic plan to provide educational and information resources to the community, the Foundation is helping the library to reach its goal through the bookmobile.
Please remember the Foundation in your giving; you can donate by clicking the link in the upper right of this page, or by sending a check to the Rapid City Library Foundation, PO Box 1015, Rapid City SD 57709-1015. We appreciate you and your support to our community’s library.
The Foundation’s Library Endowment
Rapid City Public Library is an indispensable asset to our community. Building an endowment to enhance library services ensures the library’s continuation as the place where dreams are realized and keeps the community educated, informed, and prepared for the future.
The Rapid City Library Foundation’s endowment prudently invests your gift to grow over time. Earnings from the fund are used to enhance library events, collections, technology, and services. The principal remains in the fund, locally and professionally invested, providing supplemental income to the library for years to come.
Foundation Projects and Support
Your gifts to the Rapid City Library Foundation have helped to make remarkable events and outcomes possible, including:
2022 - Bookmobile fundraising and purchase
Foundation raised $181,000
2017 - Maurice Sendak art exhibit
2017 - Author talk and reception, Sandra Brannan and Joseph Bottum
2015 - Library renovation, Local History Room
Foundation raised $187,000
2015 - Author talk and reception, Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner
2014 - Books for Babies program began
2012 - Author talk and reception, Richard Paul Evans
2010 - Author talk and reception, CJ Box
2008 - Chamber of Commerce mixer at the library
2007 - Library renovation of main floor
Foundation raised $190,000
2007 - Author talk and reception, Matthew Bogdanos
2007 - Big Read community-wide program
2006 - Author talk and reception, Senator George McGovern
2006 - Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser
2005 - Author talk and reception, Dan O’Brien and Alexandra Fuller
2005 - One Book, One Community program
2004 - Author talk and reception, Stephanie Kane
2004 - Chamber of Commerce mixer at the library
2004 - One Book, One Community program
2003 - Author talk and reception, Kent Meyers
2003 - One Book, One Community program
2001 - Library expansion
Foundation was challenged to raise $500,000, raised $646,900
The Rapid City Public Library is a thriving and valued community resource serving the citizens of Rapid City and Pennington County.
The Rapid City Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law; tax ID:46-0442680.
Contact us
Rapid City Library Foundation
busoffice@rcplib.org
(605) 394-6139
PO Box 1015
Rapid City SD 57709-1015