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Elizabeth Fox, government documents librarian at �ձ�av��Ƶ Hilton M. Briggs Library, has been named the 2025 South Dakota Librarian of the Year by the South Dakota Library Association.

Established in 1972, this prestigious award honors librarians who have made significant contributions to effective and improved library service within South Dakota communities.

Fox, who recently completed her term as South Dakota Library Association president, was recognized for her exceptional leadership, unwavering advocacy and decades of service to the profession. As president, she was active in her support of the South Dakota State Library and libraries across the state. Fox devoted countless hours to communicating with association members and championing South Dakota libraries and library staff.

One nominator said, “Throughout her presidency, she has remained accessible to the public, committed to the mission of (the South Dakota Library Association) and focused on building relationships that strengthen the organization’s voice. Her approach has been thoughtful, collaborative and grounded in a clear understanding of the issues facing libraries today.”

The award was unexpected to Fox, which was announced at the Tri-Conference of the North Dakota, South Dakota and Mountain Plains Library Associations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in October.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the award,” Fox said. “I feel that I just did what I was elected to do. It is heartwarming to be thanked in such a public way for what needed to be done.”

Fox has worked at Briggs Library for 31 of her 34 years as a librarian, beginning as circulation supervisor and later adding interlibrary loan tasks. She then moved to the reference department, where she developed subject specializations, and now is the government documents librarian. 

“One of the reasons I became a librarian is that I am curious about many subjects, and being able to move around over the years has allowed me to learn many different areas,” she said.

Her service extends beyond South Dakota as well. Fox represented the state for three years in the American Library Association, where she built professional connections and learned from colleagues across the nation.

Reflecting on the highlights of her work as a librarian, Fox’s thoughts returned to the people she interacts with.

“Probably the best thing about working in libraries is the people — both other library staff and the patrons who come in,” Fox said.