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Image for event: Custer State Park Present

Custer State Park Present

The Need for Trees
2026-12-12 10:30:00 2026-12-12 11:30:00 America/Denver Custer State Park Present Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Saturday, December 12
10:30am - 11:30am

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Why do trees matter? Join Custer State Park naturalists to explore the trees of the Black Hills, their role in local ecosystems, and learn some fun forest facts!

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Children | All | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Educational | Community Wide |

TAGS: | custer state park |

Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Phone: 605-394-6139
Hours
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Rapid City Public Library Downtown

We're closed Wednesday November 11 due to Veteran's Day
Mon, Nov 09 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Nov 10 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Nov 11 Closed
(Veteran's Day)
Thu, Nov 12 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, Nov 13 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Nov 14 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Nov 15 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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Upcoming events

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Teen #FandomFriday - Pokémon Terrariums
Fri, Nov 13, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Catch 'em all-plant style! Create a Pokéball-inspired terrarium, blending creativity, nature, and a little Pokémon magic into your own one-of-a-kind mini world.
Custer State Park Present - Bighorn Sheep
Sat, Nov 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Custer State Park Naturalists share the history of Bighorn Sheep in the Black Hills, from their introduction by Peter Norbeck to their current special place in local ecology.
Books with Bernard
Sat, Nov 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Boost your reading skills and have a tail-wagging good time! Join Bernard, a certified therapy dog, for a fun and furry reading adventure.
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Hydraulic Judo Robots
Sat, Nov 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Construct a hydraulic-powered machine and battle with other robots!
Small Changes, Big Impact - Family Game Day with the EPA
Sun, Nov 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Play fun, hands-on games with environmental experts to learn about recycling, water conservation, and reducing food waste!
South Dakota Yesterday & Today - Author and Photography Talk with Paul Horsted
Sun, Nov 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Photographer Paul Horsted shares stories and photos from his latest book, featuring 350 historic South Dakota sites paired with stunning "then-and-now" images from across the state.
Breathe Better - Exploring Air Quality with the EPA
Mon, Nov 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about radon and wildfire smoke and discover simple ways to protect your family from both.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Nov 17, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Nov 17, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Rubber Band Helicopters
Tue, Nov 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Build a helicopter using simple craft supplies and discover how stored energy can turn into motion!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Nov 17, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Coffee and Coversations - Writing your Family History
Wed, Nov 18, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Molly Barari shares tips and tricks to help you pen your family's history, from beginning research to expressing the stories of the past for generations to come.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, Nov 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Welcome to The Library, a place for adventuring parties to convene and take part in glorious battles. Everyone's invited to play, whether it's your first time playing or you're a seasoned adventurer.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Nov 19, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Magnetic Makers
Thu, Nov 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Build robots and navigate magnetic mazes while exploring and testing your creations!
Black Hills Financial Planning Presents - Eliminating Debt for Financial Freedom
Thu, Nov 19, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn from a financial planner how to build a budget that holds, pay off debt faster, and make the interest you pay work for you with a financial planner.
Chapter Chat Book Club - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches- Sangu Mandanna
Thu, Nov 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family and a new love changes the course of her life.
Level Up! Teen Gaming Night - Mario Kart
Fri, Nov 20, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Rev your engines for Mario Kart! Choose your character, race iconic tracks, and battle your friends for the win in an action-packed evening of fun.
Heirlooms Creative Writing Workshop with Molly Barari
Sat, Nov 21, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Have a memory you can still picture perfectly? Turn a moment from your life into a short story using vivid details, dialogue, people, places, and the little things that bring it to life.
SDSMT Paleo Club at the Library - Fossils and Evolution
Sun, Nov 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore how animals have changed over time through fossils and comparative biology with the SDSMT Paleontology Club!
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Nov 23, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn for an evening of fiber arts! Don't have equipment? The library has some that you can use for the class! Join us for camaraderie and snacks!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Nov 24, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Cancelled
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Nov 24, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Magnetic Maze STEM Challenge
Tue, Nov 24, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about magnetism and design, build, and test your own magnetic maze game!
Planning Ahead - Living Wills and Medical Decisions with Monument Health
Tue, Nov 24, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Join the Director of Patient Relations at Monument Health for a clear and compassionate discussion about how healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will documentation benefits you and your loved ones
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Nov 24, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Early Closure
Wed, Nov 25, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will close early at 5 p.m. in observance of Thanksgiving
Library Closure
Thu, Nov 26, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
Library Closure
Fri, Nov 27, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
Donuts & Documentaries - Agent of Happiness
Sun, Nov 29, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Can happiness really be measured from one to ten? A government happiness agent travels the Bhutanese Himalayas, surveying locals while confronting his own search for fulfillment.
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Dec 01, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join the Rapid City Fire Department for a fun morning of stories, plus tips on staying safe!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Dec 01, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Lego Club
Tue, Dec 01, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Imagine, create, and free-build, or challenge yourself on a library build to win a small prize!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Dec 01, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Dec 03, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Sensory Play
Thu, Dec 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Play detective and use your senses to discover and learn about everyday objects!
Ramblings from Nowhere - with Author Josh Ellis
Thu, Dec 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Meet local author Josh Ellis and celebrate his new book 'Jaunty Hair: Ramblings from Nowhere', a collection of essays reflecting on life, humor, grief, music, and more.
Teen Crafternoon - Pom-Pom Wreaths
Fri, Dec 04, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Add some fuzzy flair to your winter cheer and make a wreath out of yarn pom-poms!
Computer-Aided Design Club - Flat Ornaments
Sat, Dec 05, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Learn the basics of computer-aided design (CAD) while creating fun, hands-on digital projects.
SDSMT Paleo Club at the Library - Convergent Evolution: Nature's Copycats
Sat, Dec 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover how different animals and plants can develop similar traits, even when they're not related! Explore nature's surprising look-alikes and the science behind them.
Creation Station - Tea Light Gingerbread Houses
Sun, Dec 06, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Assemble and decorate mini gingerbread houses made with equipment in the Makerspace!
Registration opens Sunday, November 22 2026 at 10:00am
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Dec 07, 10:30am - 11:15am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Restore your mind and invigorate your body with Sol Yoga Collective at the library! In this safe and comfortable environment, you'll be guided through beginner's yoga poses and stretches.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Dec 08, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Dec 08, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - String Spinners
Tue, Dec 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore momentum with a handmade spinning contraption!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Dec 08, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Cardboard Loom Mittens
Wed, Dec 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about the connection between coding and fiber arts by creating a loom out of cardboard and weaving a pair of mittens!
Registration opens Wednesday, November 25 2026 at 9:00am
Family Craft Night
Wed, Dec 09, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make a craft or two (or even three!) with your family at the library! We'll have a variety of supplies and examples ready to explore, so don't be afraid to try out something new.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Dec 10, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Gifted Engineers
Thu, Dec 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Design and build creations to deliver seasonal gifts!
The Write Stuff - Comic Creations
Thu, Dec 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Do you love reading comic books and graphic novels? Create your own in this hands-on workshop and learn how words and pictures come together to tell awesome stories!
Teen Anime Club - Shrinky Dink Trinkets
Fri, Dec 11, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create an anime-inspired keychain with some markers, plastic, and a little heat!
Custer State Park Present - The Need for Trees
Sat, Dec 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Why do trees matter? Join Custer State Park naturalists to explore the trees of the Black Hills, their role in local ecosystems, and learn some fun forest facts!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Cardboard Loom Mittens
Sat, Dec 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about the connection between coding and fiber arts by creating a loom out of cardboard and weaving a pair of mittens!
Registration opens Saturday, November 28 2026 at 10:00am
A World of Stories - Winter Reading Challenge
Sun, Dec 13, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Explore the world through books! Grab a Bingo card, mark off your reading adventures, and earn chances to win prizes. Every square brings a new adventure! Open to all ages.
Herbal Holiday Mocktails - with Pennington County Master Gardener Roxene Powell
Sun, Dec 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Shake things up this season and learn how to use herbs and other fresh ingredients to mix up delicious, festive mocktails perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.
Open Art Session
Sun, Dec 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Unleash your artistic side and create a beautiful painting to take home. We'll provide the supplies and tutorials.
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