ARSL Launches “Outstanding in Their Field” ARSL Leadership Institute

The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) is pleased to announce that we have been selected to receive a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Award for our “Outstanding in Their Field” ARSL Leadership Institute.

As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of these libraries and is committed to providing professional development that builds capacity and excellence within this community of practice.

With $249,947 over three years, this Institute of Museum and Library Services (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. 

Beginning in April of 2021, participants will engage in residential, online, and conference experiences spanning an 18 month period. Applications to participate will become available in December of 2020.

This leadership institute is unique in the library profession because the intended audience are those who happened into jobs in the smallest or most rural libraries in the U.S. Often these “accidental librarians” have no formal education and little local guidance and support.  ARSL seeks to develop their understanding of and commitment to professional values while they gain practical managerial leadership skills.

Key priorities for this leadership institute are to develop strong rural and small library leaders, strengthen community leadership, build ARSL organizational capacity, add rural voices to national library leadership, and evaluate the pilot for future effectiveness and scalability. 

Working closely with the ARSL Board of Directors, the core project team includes:

• Kate Laughlin, ARSL Executive Director; Role: Primary Contact and Grant Administrator
• Kieran Hixon, 2017-2018 ARSL Past President; Technology & Digital Initiatives Consultant, Colorado State Library; Role: Curriculum Co-Designer and Project Director 
• Sharon Morris, MLIS, PhD, ARSL member; Director of Library Development, Colorado State Library; Role: Curriculum Co-Designer
• Kathy Zappitello, ARSL President 2020-2021; Executive Director, Conneaut Public Library, Ohio; Role: Liaison to the ARSL Board

We are grateful to these individuals and organizations who have pledged ongoing support and join the core team members in making up our Advisory Team:

• Cicely Douglas, Library Director at City of South Sioux City (Nebraska) 
• Barbara Macikas, Executive Director, Public Library Association
• Mary Hirsh, Deputy Director,  Public Library Association 
• Dr. Linda Hofschire, Director, Library Research Service and the Research Institute for Public Libraries, Colorado State Library
• Dr. Michelle H. Martin, Beverly Cleary Professor and MLIS Program Chair, iSchool at University of Washington
• Chance Hunt, MLIS, Senior Lecturer, iSchool at University of Washington
• Timothy Owens, State Librarian of North Carolina and ARSL Board liaison to COSLA 
• Stacey A. Aldrich, State Librarian, Hawaii State Public Library System, COSLA
• Staff person TBD, OCLC/WebJunction
• Continuing Education Coordinator from a State Library, TBD
• Additional ARSL library director TBD