Siouxland Libraries Director Jodi Fick to Retire on June 20
Published on April 21, 2025
After four decades of public service, Siouxland Libraries Director Jodi Fick announced she is retiring. Fick’s last day will be June 20, 2025.
“Jodi is a prime example of what it means to have a heart for service. We are grateful for her leadership of Siouxland Libraries and decades of commitment to public service throughout her career,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken. “I consider Jodi not just a colleague but a friend. She has truly made a difference in the lives of kids and families in our region while building a positive culture and environment where her entire Siouxland Libraries team can thrive.”
Fick was appointed director of Siouxland Libraries in 2017 by Mayor Mike Huether. Her tenure is marked by a commitment to accessibility, innovation, and community engagement. Highlights of her time as director include:
- Driving the adoption of technology for Siouxland Libraries to make efficiencies, such as self-checkout machines and expanding service access for rural branches.
- Increasing access for Siouxland Libraries users across the service by eliminating late fees on accounts.
- Focusing on early literacy services through creating birth to 5 programming, including parent-child workshops, baby storytimes, and making Siouxland Libraries the first Family Place Library in South Dakota.
- Implementing play spaces in every branch location, ensuring that toys and experiences are readily available for families throughout the system.
- Leading renovation projects at most of the city and rural branches to ensure all branch locations are modern, welcoming spaces.
“During Jodi’s service as our leader, greater emphasis has been placed on early childhood reading, and the circulation of materials has reached an all-time high. She has developed a first-class team, and because of Jodi’s leadership, Siouxland Libraries now has an outstanding culture,” said Joel Rosenthal, a member of the Library Board of Trustees. “Jodi Fick will be missed by the patrons of the library and the many people she worked with.”
Fick’s library career began during a work-study job at the Mikkelsen Library on the campus of Augustana University. She then served at the Minnehaha County Rural Public Library for five years when the city and county libraries merged into what is now Siouxland Libraries. Since then, Fick assumed the role of senior librarian. She progressed through various roles, including serving as assistant director since 2007.
“In my career as a librarian, what has mattered most to me is connecting people with the stories, answers, and inspiration they didn’t even know they were looking for and doing this alongside a team whose dedication and heart made it all worthwhile,” Fick said, “I’m deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and the entire community.”
The search for the next director of Siouxland Libraries has started and will include collaboration between the administration and the Library Board of Trustees in selecting the final candidate. Applications from those interested in being the next leader of Siouxland Libraries are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to review the job posting and apply online.