Local Libraries Join Forces: Digital Collection Expansion Now Live for Watertown Residents

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Reading just got a lot more expansive for residents of Northeast South Dakota. The South Dakota State Library (SDSL) has officially launched a new Reciprocal Lending Agreement (RLA), effectively opening the digital doors of libraries across the state to local cardholders.

This new partnership connects the South Dakota Titles To Go (SDTTG) consortium with the Black Hills Digital Library Consortium and Siouxland Libraries. For patrons in the Watertown area, this means your library card now grants you “visitor” access to thousands of additional eBooks and audiobooks previously restricted to other regions.

What This Means for Watertown and Surrounding Communities

Whether you visit the Watertown Regional Library or one of the many community libraries within a 50-mile radius, your digital shelf just got significantly larger. The agreement allows local readers to borrow materials from the massive Siouxland collection (serving over 200,000 people) and the specialized Black Hills network.

Participating libraries in our immediate region include:

·        Watertown Regional Library

·        Grant County Public Library (Milbank)

·        Emil M. Larson Public Library (Clark)

·        Clear Lake City Library

·        Sisseton Memorial Library

·        Webster Public Library

·        Waubay Public Library

·        Doland Community Library

·        Gary Public Library

·        Castlewood & Estelline Public Libraries

How to Access the New Collection

Accessing these new titles is done entirely through the Libby app. Patrons don’t need to sign up for a new card; they simply add the partner libraries as “visitors.”

1.    Open the Libby App on your device.

2.    Add a Library: Search for “Siouxland Libraries” or “Black Hills Digital Library.”

3.    Sign In With My Card: When prompted, select your “home” library (e.g., Watertown Regional Library) from the list of partners.

4.    Enter Your Credentials: Use your existing library card number to log in.

“By working together, we can provide more content to readers, fostering literacy and learning across our communities,” said George Seamon, South Dakota State Librarian.

Key Benefits at a Glance

·        Expanded Access: Thousands of new digital titles are now available at your fingertips.

·        No Extra Cost: This service is free for all current library cardholders and adds no additional fees to local library budgets.

·        Community Impact: Higher circulation rates and shared resources strengthen the library system statewide.

For more information on how to use your digital benefits, visit the Watertown Regional Library at 160 6th St NE or check out the SDTTG resource page at libguides.library.sd.gov/services/sdttg.