Free books, stories and smiles are headed to communities across South Dakota.
St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain is launching its sixth annual bookmobile tour later this month, bringing free reading materials to dozens of towns while promoting literacy and Native American authors.
The effort, organized by the school’s Alumni Relations department, will make more than 40 stops across the state through July 1, beginning in Jackson County.
The traveling bookmobile provides books for readers of all ages and interests, with events open to the public at no cost.
“Access to books can make a lasting difference in a child’s life,” said Andy Lepkowski, who heads St. Joseph’s Indian School Alumni Relations division, which organizes the annual trek across South Dakota that last year logged more than 3,000 miles on the Bookmobile’s odometer. “By bringing the Bookmobile directly into communities, we’re helping remove barriers and making reading something that’s exciting and accessible for everyone.”
During the 2025 tour, the program distributed 22,610 books statewide.
This year’s schedule includes stops in communities across western, central and eastern South Dakota, including Pine Ridge, Eagle Butte, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Aberdeen, Watertown, Mission and Rapid City.
The tour begins May 26 with stops in Wanblee, Potato Creek and Kyle. Additional visits are planned throughout June, including Sioux Falls and Mitchell on June 10, Aberdeen on June 18 and Rapid City on June 30 and July 1.
All bookmobile events are free and open to the public, with books distributed while supplies last.
Bookmobile tour schedule
May 26 (Tuesday)Wanblee — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cap Building lot in housingPotato Creek — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., playground areaKyle — 3 to 5 p.m., Senior Citizens Center by school
May 27 (Wednesday)Porcupine — 10 a.m. to noon, entrance of housingManderson — 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., school parking lotOglala — 3:15 to 5 p.m., Boys & Girls Club lot off main road
May 28 (Thursday)Pine Ridge — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Catholic church parking lot
June 2 (Tuesday)Cherry Creek — 10 to 11 a.m., post office areaEagle Butte — 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., side street by the libraryDupree — 3:30 to 5 p.m., YMCA side street
June 3 (Wednesday)Timber Lake — 10 to 11:30 a.m., Main Street by the libraryLittle Eagle — 12:15 to 2 p.m., side street by the post officeBullhead — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., side street by the schoolMcLaughlin — 4 to 5 p.m., side street by the city park
June 4 (Thursday)Yates — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., state building parking lot, Buffalo AvenueKenel — 1:15 to 2 p.m., side street by the community centerWakpala — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., community center parking lot
June 9 (Tuesday)Marty — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., school parking lotWagner — 1 to 5 p.m., IHS parking lot
June 10 (Wednesday)Sioux Falls — 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Terry Redlin Elementary lotMitchell — 2:30 to 5 p.m., swimming pool parking lot
June 11 (Thursday)Fort Thompson — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., casino parking lot
June 12 (Friday)Lower Brule — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Buches store parking lotLower Brule — 1 to 4:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Church parking lot
June 16 (Tuesday)Flandreau — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Flandreau Middle SchoolWatertown — 3 to 5 p.m., McKinney Park side street lot
June 17 (Wednesday)Sisseton — 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Teals Market parking lotDakota Sioux Casino — 4 to 7 p.m., in front of the casino
June 18 (Thursday)Aberdeen — 10 to 11:30 a.m., Roncalli Primary School front entrance (1st Ave. NE and Arch Street)Aberdeen — noon to 3 p.m., Hobby Lobby parking lot (4th Street and Roosevelt Street)
June 23 (Tuesday)Winner — 10 to 11:30 a.m., Ace Hardware parking lotO’Kreek — noon to 1:30 p.m., community center lotMission — 2 to 6 p.m., Boys & Girls Club
June 24 (Wednesday)Francis — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., school parking lotRosebud — 1 to 4 p.m., All Stop gas station lot
June 25 (Thursday)Parmelee — 10 a.m. to noon, community center lotMartin — 1 to 2:30 p.m., CAP Building lotAllen — 3 to 4 p.m., community center area
June 30 (Tuesday)Rapid City — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., location to be determinedRapid City — 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Beadle School front parking lot
July 1 (Wednesday)Rapid City — 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lakota Community Housing (North Housing Office parking lot)
