A Pierre School District librarian is one of 16 people in South Dakota who have earned the 2026-29 School Achievement Through Libraries (SATL) award. The announcement of the award recipients– including T.F. Riggs Librarian Pamela Kringel– was made this week (July 7, 2026) by the South Dakota Dep artment of Education and the South Dakota State Library. The SATL award recognizes outstanding school library professionals and programs and provides guidance on best practices in school librarianship. To earn the award, school libraries are required to submit 15 items of evidence that demonstrate their excellence and commitment to providing collaborative programs and environments that support the whole child’s academic and personal growth. The following school libraries and librarians will be formally recognized this fall: Pierre T.F. Riggs High School, Pamela Kringel; Alcester-Hudson Elementary School, Nola Conner; Alcester-Hudson Junior High and High School, Nola Conner; Custer Elementary School, Doris Ann Mertz; Custer High School, Doris Ann Mertz; Dakota Valley Elementary and Middle School, Erin Nilges; Harrisburg Freedom Elementary School, Tyler Muth; Harrisburg Journey Elementary School, Jennifer Rinken; Harrisburg High School, Eve Langerock; Hermosa Elementary School, Doris Ann Mertz; Sioux Falls Patrick Henry Middle School, Wendy Nelson; Sioux Falls R.F. Pettigrew Elementary School, Nicole Ulvestad; Tri-Valley Colton Elementary School, Kay Dahl Hobart; Tri-Valley Crooks Elementary School, Kay Dahl Hobart; Tri-Valley Middle School, Kay Dahl Hobart; and Tri-Valley High School, Kay Dahl Hobart. To learn more about the SATL Award and school library excellence in South Dakota, visit the School Achievement Through Libraries webpage. ...read more read less