The Association for Rural & Small Libraries

The Voice of Rural & Small Libraries

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. is a network of persons throughout the country dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries. ARSL believes in the value of rural and small libraries and strives to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities.

The Benefits of Membership

ARSL proudly supports and represents rural & small library staff. We welcome library staff of all kinds, partners, and ally organizations to learn more about ARSL membership. 

Become a Member

2020 ARSL Conference

#ARSL2020 will be held virtually. Please visit out conference page for information on dates, format, and programming as we transition to an online event.

2020 Conference Homepage
 

Registration Is Still Open for #ARSL2020—Now Online!

Did you miss the chance to SOAR* with us during the 2020 ARSL Annual Conference? Never fear – you can still take advantage of the great learning and networking opportunities through our extended-access virtual conference platform! Registration for full access to the archived ARSL 2020 Conference is open through 11:59 PM CST on October 30. For just $65 per person ($50 for ARSL members!) you’ll get access to all of these great features through December 31:

  • Recordings of every ARSL 2020 conference session available for on-demand viewing, including keynotes with Nancy Pearl, William Ottens, Cassandra Campbell, and others

  • Downloadable handouts, slide decks, and resource guides from conference presenters

  • Contact information for over 40 conference exhibitors

  • Community forums to continue *Sharing Our Amazing Resources with your peers nationwide

Registrants should expect to receive access to the Whova conference platform within 1-2 business days of registering. 

We are also excited to announce that next year’s 2021 ARSL Annual Conference will be held in beautiful Reno/Sparks, NV, October 19-23! We look forward to seeing you all in person next fall.

 

Not yet a member of ARSL? Now's the perfect time to join! You can also use the Conference Registration Form to establish or renew your ARSL membership.

 

ARSL Receives IMLS Grant for Leadership Institute

ARSL's Board of Directors is excited to share this press release that ARSL has been selected to receive a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Award for our “Outstanding in Their Field” ARSL Leadership Institute.

This IMLS grant will fund the development of an immersive institute tailored to elevate those in key positions in rural and small libraries to step confidently into leadership roles in their libraries, their communities, our association, and the larger library field.

Stay tuned for more details coming via our member listserv soon!

ARSL Statement on Anti-Racism

Because Black lives matter and library professionals can be agents of change in rural and small communities across the nation, ARSL urges our members to stand up and speak out to end systemic oppression and police brutality. The ARSL Board of Directors is in active discussion about how we will commit to anti-racist work within our association.

Silence is compliance.

ARSL Round Tables

This is an uncertain time for everyone but we are all in this together. If staff are working from home, how are they adapting? What services are currently being offered, and what ways can we increase access to them? ARSL facilitated a series of one-hour COVID Round Tables this past spring to help our members navigate the rapidly-changing reality of lockdowns, mask mandates, and staffing concerns. Recordings of those Round Tables are available for free on-demand viewing.