By Nancy Henderson,
The Belle Fourche Public Library has evolved with the times since first occupying its present location at 905 5th Avenue in 1978.
Under the guidance of Library Director Wanda Nelson – with the library for 38 years, the past 10 as director – the library is committed to current needs while planning for the future and not forgetting the past.
What exactly does that mean? Regular library patrons already know the feeling and those entering the library for the first time sense it immediately – the welcoming atmosphere with the grandfather clock in the lounge area softly (it’s the library after all) chiming the hour and quarter hours, the exquisite crystal collection beside it (given by an anonymous donor years ago) and the smiling faces of the library staff that, in addition to Wanda, include Assistant Librarian Betty Casper, Library Technician Samantha Kinghorn and Library Aides Grace Moore and Rachael Corean.
Of course it couldn’t call itself a library without books and Wanda gives an impressive count that doesn’t just involve the familiar hardbacks and paperbacks. “We have over 50,000 physical items available for check out,” she explains. “This includes books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, Playaways and Wonder Books. Including digital access, there are over 100,000 items available for check out to our patrons.”
There’s also a section with books on sale as well an array of books free for the taking. Six computers are available for public access. Special Collections Encompass the Past:
The Genealogical Section, located in the South Dakota Room, has answers to many questions about Butte County ancestors as well as resources from around the country. The South Dakota Room itself is dedicated to books on the history of the local Black Hills area as well as Belle Fourche and Butte County history.
The room also offers microfilm newspapers from Butte County including the Belle Fourche newspapers dating from 1896 and the Newell Valley Irrigator from 1910 to 1962. Note: Beacon contributor Mary Buchholz is a familiar presence using the microfilm reader for her column – Looking Back in Belle.)
With front desk assistance, Belle Fourche High School annuals are available dating back to 1940. Belle Fourche Public Library cardholders have digital access to ebooks and audiobooks via Libby (South Dakota Titles to Go – SDTTG) with a free downloadable app.
A multitude of other services are available digitally. Libby is provided by the South Dakota State Library with the Belle Fourche Public Library’s contribution jointly funded by the Belle Fourche Area Public Library Foundation and the library itself.
The Foundation is a non-profit organization formed for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of the citizens of the Belle Fourche and Tri-State Area, raising endowments and protecting funds to perpetuate the goals and visions of the Belle Fourche Public Library.
Wanda would like to alert current cardholders to two important changes. New library cards are now required for children and teens (anyone under 18) due to recent South Dakota State Legislation. Parents need to come into the library and sign a new library card form so their children can continue checking out library materials. Secondly, on January 12, 2026, there will be a new sign-on for Libby.
The new library card or password will be the 8-digit library card number without bfp at the beginning. Individuals with expired cards or with fines of $5 or more must come to the library to take care of this matter.
If you’re a Belle Fourche Public Library cardholder and haven’t already done so, it’s time to discover the power of your library card at www.bellefourche.yoursdlibrary.org.
Special thanks to Wanda Nelson for providing the time and resources for this article. (Actually, librarians are pretty good at this!)
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
