Library Staff

Brittany has worked at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library in various roles off and on for over 15 years. She was originally hired as a Library Page when she was in high school and worked part-time through college. She left briefly after graduating college but quickly realized that her heart was always with the library. Brittany returned as the Library Director in 2013. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and History from the University of Sioux Falls and became a South Dakota State Certified Librarian in 2018 after completing four years of training at the South Dakota Library Institute.

As Library Director, Brittany is responsible for managing all library operations, including the annual budget, securing grants, strategic planning and library policies, purchasing library materials, strengthening relationships within the community, overseeing personnel, and working with the South Dakota State Library, the South Dakota Library Association, the American Library Association, and other various library organizations.

Since becoming the Library Director, Brittany has overseen a library expansion and renovation project in 2015 that doubled the size of the library. With the expansion came tremendous growth, with the library seeing an increase of over 50% in library card sign-ups and library program attendance! With this growth came new and increased library programs and expanded educational programs. Brittany also oversaw a major technology upgrade, including more computers, increased filtering and software content, and expanded digital resources. The Dell Rapids Carnegie Library has also become an accredited library within the State of South Dakota and has been awarded the Hometown Heroes and Community Spirit awards for their service to the Dell Rapids community.

Brittany is a passionate advocate for literacy, lifelong learning, and accessible information and is committed to expanding the library's role as a vital community hub. Her goal as the Library Director is to provide the community with resources and services to learn new things and push the boundaries of their viewpoints and education. To empower them with the knowledge to make informed decisions, learn something new, or just take time to escape in a good book, and to continuously enrich their lives by providing materials, programs, and services in a safe place that belongs to everyone.

Brittany is deeply rooted in the Dell Rapids community, having grown up in Dell Rapids and utilized the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library her entire life. She now shares the joy of the library, and the community she was raised in, with her husband and three children.

Kinsey has been with the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library off and on since 2008 and began serving as a Library Assistant in January 2016 with a focus on children's programming. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University and has over 30 years of library experience. Her background blends child development knowledge with a love of literacy and community engagement. Kinsey is responsible for the majority of the library's children's programs and activities, as well as, programs for adults.

She is a dedicated library professional focused on creating new programs, supporting education, and building thoughtful collection development. She enjoys designing welcoming experiences that invite people in and shaping services to meet community needs. She collaborates with colleagues to launch engaging programs, keeps collections current and diverse, and provides learning opportunities for patrons of all ages. Kinsey strives to make the library a friendly, inclusive place where curiosity is encouraged and everyone can find something useful.

Kinsey is happiest surrounded by her large, lively family -- cheering at their games, sharing delicious meals cooked by her husband, and soaking up the noise and love. When she's not at a sporting event supporting her kids or her little friends, she can be found curled up with a good book.

Cassie works as the Youth Services Librarian and also oversees services at the Main Circulation Desk at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library. As Youth Services Librarian, Cassie creates and implements programs and activities for children ranging from elementary through high school, including Makerspace Monday, Double Digits, and Teen Takeover. Having been building relationships with the children since she started at the library in 2017, she ensures that all children have a safe, welcoming place to go after school and during summer with free activities provided.

As a Main Desk Coordinator, Cassie performs a variety of tasks to help keep the library running and provide patrons with any help they may require. From cataloging new library materials to processing interlibrary loan requests, to helping patrons find the books they're looking for, Cassie provides a welcoming atmosphere to all.

A Dell Rapids native who grew up with a library in her own house, moving on to the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library after high school seemed like the next natural step in life. After attending the South Dakota Library Institute for four years, Cassie became a State Certified Librarian in 2024. Her guilty librarian pleasure is reading negative Goodreads reviews.

Megan has worked at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library in various roles on and off for over 15 years. She was originally hired as a Library Page when she was in high school. After graduating high school, she served as a full-time Library Assistant for a short time before leaving for Dakota State University, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in English for New Media. However, after graduating, she was quickly drawn back to the Dell Rapids Library by her love  of literature and the desire to share her enthusiasm for reading and learning with the Dell Rapids community.

Currently, she serves in a Library Clerk role, where she is delighted to be able  to help connect readers with books suited to whatever age or interest demographic they are in. In her role, Megan works with the rest of the staff at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library to make the library a welcoming space that fits the varied needs of the members of the Dell Rapids community, and fosters a lifelong love of learning and literature in their patrons.

As a member of the team, Megan is responsible for performing the varied duties necessary to keep the library running smoothly. This includes any manner of tasks, such as processing materials in and out of the library, assisting patrons with various needs, developing and/or preparing for various library programs, organizing and putting away library materials, repairing library materials, cataloging and weeding materials, and even occasionally chasing down runaway chinchillas.

Carol serves as a Library Clerk here at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Library. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from Morningside College.

A large part of a typical work day for Carol entails helping locate books, making reading recommendations, and answering questions for patrons. Another portion of her day is dedicated to collaborating with coworkers, reshelving, and other tasks related to daily operations of the library. Additionally, she creates and runs the Makerspace Monday and Brick Builders programs for elementary students and Mini Yogis and Mini Donuts for the preschoolers.

Outside of work, she stays busy homeschooling her two children, volunteering in the Dell Rapids community, and trying to keep up with her To Be Read book list.