2023 One Book Siouxland Shares South Dakota Heritage Through Author Talk, Programs, Experiences

For its sixth year, One Book Siouxland gathers Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County around a single title to discuss and learn together. Starting in April, events and programs at Siouxland Libraries branches will focus on Accidental Rancher by Eliza Blue.

Accidental Rancher shares a collection of short stories about the author’s life on the plains of northwestern South Dakota. Blue brings a new voice and a musician's viewpoint to the culture of rural America. On Saturday, April 22, Blue will speak about the book and perform original songs at 11 a.m. at the Old Courthouse Museum.

“We always look forward to bringing all 13 Siouxland Libraries branches together with one title. Getting curious, excited, and together is what Siouxland Libraries does best.” Kim Koblank, Ronning Branch Librarian said. “From introducing our Seed Library partnership to the custom tea blend Spice and Tea Exchange made for our reading groups, this year's programs are centered around heritage and community.”

Beginning Monday, March 13, readers can also sign up for kits to facilitate conversations. Each free kit includes discussion questions, an exclusive Accidental Rancher herbal tea blend from The Spice and Tea Exchange, and shortbread cookies from Hello Sweets.

Programming in April includes:

• Stamp your Quilt Challenge
  Library customers can earn stamps with every program they attend or by visiting the FarmHer: South Dakota display from the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum at the Downtown Library, by visiting the Prairie Scenes by Bethany Noordman’s exhibit at the Ronning Branch Library, or by tagging social media posts with #OBSL23. Guides can be picked up at any library branch.
• One Book Siouxland Kick-Off: Sustainability Expo
  Saturday, April 1, 2023: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Downtown Library
  In celebration of Accidental Rancher and in partnership with Dakota Rural Action, browse local vendors highlighting their sustainability practices. Take part in storytime, children's activities, and the FarmHer: South Dakota display from the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum.
• Pioneer Experience—Registration Required
  Tuesday, April 11, 2023: 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ronning Branch Library
  Siouxland Heritage Museum Education staff dressed in historic clothing will talk about what it was like to homestead in Dakota. First-hand accounts from diaries and letters as well as historic reproduction props will be used to tell the pioneer story.
• A History of Traditional Western Music by Allen and Jill Kirkham: A Musical Performance—Registration Required
  Saturday, April 15, 2023: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Library
  The Kirkhams present a mix of oral history and live music (acoustic guitar, bass fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica) of public domain traditional western music from the 1840s to 1920s (trail drives and Black Hills mining era, Charles Badger Clark era), key classic western movie era 1930s to 1960s, contemporary western and original western music, with background and history behind the songs.
• An Introduction to Common Roots Seed Library—Registration Required
  Wednesday, April 19, 2023: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ronning Branch Library
  Learn about the role seed libraries play in resilient communities and food economies, and how to use it for your gardening needs.
• Songs from the Soil: Author Talk with Eliza Blue—Registration Required
  Saturday, April 22, 2023: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Courthouse Museum
  Eliza Blue will perform music and read from her book Accidental Rancher.

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ABOUT ONE BOOK SIOUXLAND
Since 2016, One Book Siouxland has encouraged reading and dialogue through community-wide reading and discussion across its 13 libraries that span from Garretson to Humboldt. An advisory committee suggests titles based on public interest. More information about the 2023 One Book Siouxland title here.