ARSL Outstanding in Their Field Leadership Institute

Visit the ARSL Outstanding site to learn more!


 

PRESS RELEASE

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries
Questions to [email protected]
March 31, 2021 

The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) is pleased to announce that 2021-22 cohort of the Outstanding in Their Field ARSL Leadership Institute. Beginning in August of 2021, this group of 30 library professionals from around the country will engage in residential, online, and conference experiences spanning 18 months to deepen their understanding of and commitment to professional values while they gain practical managerial skills. 

The members of the 2021-22 Leadership Institute are: 

     Ali Iserman, Mediapolis Public Library, IA
     Amajah Langford, Lexington County Public Library, SC
     Amanda Doherty, Mt. Pulaski Public Library, IL
     Angela Karen, St. Marys Community Public Lib., OH
     Angela Watkins, Aztec Public Library, NM
     Annie Bowers, Hoodsport Timberland Library, WA
     Arthur Newman, Northumberland Public Library, VA
     Bree Drapa, Westford Public Library, VT
     Erykah Condon, Rangeley Public Library, ME
     Deana Jones, Hickory Public Library, NC
     Jana Slisher, Bath Township Public Library, MI
     Jen Coleman, Summerville Public Library, PA
     Jenny White, Schuyler Public Library, NE
     Jessica Anderson, Humboldt County Library, NV
     Joshua Olsen, Deming Public Library, WA
     Kameron Mitchell, Pershing County Library, NV
     Kathy Wilkinson, Pines and Plains Libraries, CO
     Kayla Morris, Gallaher Village Public Library, WV
     LaShunda Williams, Gadsden Public Library, AL
     LaTonya Jones, Jonesboro Public Library, AR
     Leticia Snow, Saint Peter Library, MN
     Lisa Thompson, Jessie Peterman Memorial Library, VA
     Margaret Woodruff, Charlotte Library, VT
     Mellissa Clark, Camden County Public Library, GA
     Meredith Fletcher, Community Library Sunbury, OH
     Natasja Williams, Talkeetna Public Library, AK
     Shayne Phillips, Kaneville Public Library District & Clinton Township Public Library, IL
     Sherry Aragon, Española Public Library, NM
     Tayler Goodwin, Lawrence Memorial Library, VT

     Victoria Blackmer, Robert R. Jones Public Library District, IL

 The members of this year’s cohort were chosen from among 180 highly qualified applicants through a rigorous multistage selection process that included evaluations by selectors from across the country. ARSL appreciates the contributions of those selectors in helping us build a strong cohort.

ARSL’s Leadership Institute is unique because its students are selected from only small and/or rural libraries. Often these are “accidental librarians” who have no formal education in librarianship and few local resources for library-specific professional development. These folks came into their leadership positions from a wide variety of backgrounds and may already be in a position of authority, or they may be looking ahead to a transition of power within their organization. However they got to where they are today, they’re ready to expand their professional capabilities and grow as institutional and community leaders. 

Key priorities for this institute are to develop strong rural and small library leaders, give them tools to strengthen the communities they serve, and empower them to add their voices to national conversations about libraries.

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. This program is funded by a generous grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

 

ARSL Outstanding in Their Field Leadership Institute Core Grant Team:

Kieran Hixon, Project Lead
Sharon Morris, Project Co-Lead
Kathy Zappitello, 2021 ARSL President
Kate Laughlin, ARSL Executive Director


 Outstanding in Their Field Application Q&A with Kieran Hixon and Sharon Morris

View the recording

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries
Questions to [email protected]
January 11, 2021 

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries is excited to announce that applications for ARSL’s pilot leadership institute, Outstanding In Their Field, are officially open! We are looking for 30 outstanding people who are currently working in rural and small libraries to join us for this professional development opportunity.

Applications will be accepted through February 24th, 2021. 

Participants, or “Outfielders,” will undertake 18 months of online and in-person interactive sessions. Participants will gain:

  • skills and confidence as leaders

  • a network of colleagues throughout the country

  • experiences at two ARSL conferences

Who should apply? The ARSL Leadership Institute is for accidental library leaders who may not have a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science, and potentially no college degree at all. These folks came into their leadership positions from a wide variety of backgrounds: the cashier from the local Mini-Mart with good customer service skills, the cataloger who worked at the library for 12 years and just became the new library director, or the school teacher who ended up running the public library. They may have an official title and position of authority, or they may be looking ahead to a transition of power within their organization. However they got to where they are today, they’re ready to expand their professional capabilities and grow as institutional and community leaders.

ARSL seeks applicants representing a wide variety of communities, and has a commitment to the representation of groups that have been historically marginalized or excluded due to ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, economic background, educational attainment, or age.

If you still have questions about applying for the grant, plan to attend our Q&A webinar on Friday, January 29 at 11am-12pm Pacific Time, 12-1pm Mountain, 1-2pm Central, 2-3pm Eastern. Registration is required.

All participant travel, materials, and instructional expenses (worth approximately $8000 each) are covered by an IMLS grant*. So while there are no monetary costs for participants, they will outlay significant time, consistent engagement, and dedication to growing themselves and others as leaders.

*This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Thank you, IMLS!

 

PRESS RELEASE
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries
Questions to
[email protected]
March 31, 2021 

The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) is pleased to announce that 2021-22 cohort of the Outstanding in Their Field ARSL Leadership Institute. Beginning in August of 2021, this group of 30 library professionals from around the country will engage in residential, online, and conference experiences spanning 18 months to deepen their understanding of and commitment to professional values while they gain practical managerial skills.

The members of the 2021-22 Leadership Institute are:


Ali Iserman

Mediapolis Public Library, IA

Amajah Langford

Lexington County Public Library, SC

Amanda Doherty

Mt. Pulaski Public Library, IL

Angela Karen

St. Marys Community Public Lib., OH

Angela Watkins

Aztec Public Library, NM

Annie Bowers

Hoodsport Timberland Library, WA

Arthur Newman

Northumberland Public Library, VA

Bree Drapa

Westford Public Library, VT

Erykah Condon

Rangeley Public Library, ME

Deana Jones

Hickory Public Library, NC

Jana Slisher

Bath Township Public Library, MI

Jen Coleman

Summerville Public Library, PA

Jenny White

Schuyler Public Library, NE

Jessica Anderson

Humboldt County Library, NV

Joshua Olsen

Deming Public Library, WA

Kameron Mitchell

Pershing County Library, NV

Kathy Wilkinson

Pines and Planes Libraries, CO

Kayla Morris

Gallaher Village Public Library, WV

LaShunda Williams

Gadsden Public Library, AL

LaTonya Jones

Jonesboro Public Library, AR

Leticia Snow

Saint Peter Library, MN

Lisa Thompson

Jessie Peterman Memorial Library, VA

Margaret Woodruff

Charlotte Library, VT

Mellissa Clark

Camden County Public Library, GA

Meredith Fletcher

Community Library Sunbury, OH

Natasja Williams

Talkeetna Public Library, AK

Shayne Phillips

Kaneville Public Library Dist & Clinton Township Public Library., IL

Sherry Aragon

Española Public Library, NM

Tayler Goodwin

Lawrence Memorial Library, VT

Victoria Blackmer

Robert R. Jones Public Library Dist., IL


The members of this year’s cohort were chosen from among 180 highly qualified applicants through a rigorous multistage selection process that included evaluations by selectors from across the country. ARSL appreciates the contributions of those selectors in helping us build a strong cohort.

ARSL’s Leadership Institute is unique because its students are selected from only small and/or rural libraries. Often these are “accidental librarians” who have no formal education in librarianship and few local resources for library-specific professional development. These folks came into their leadership positions from a wide variety of backgrounds and may already be in a position of authority, or they may be looking ahead to a transition of power within their organization. However they got to where they are today, they’re ready to expand their professional capabilities and grow as institutional and community leaders.

Key priorities for this institute are to develop strong rural and small library leaders, give them tools to strengthen the communities they serve, and empower them to add their voices to national conversations about libraries.

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. This program is funded by a generous grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Science.

 

ARSL Outstanding in Their Field Leadership Institute Core Grant Team:

Kieran Hixon, Project Lead

Sharon Morris, Project Co-Lead

Kathy Zappitello, 2021 ARSL President

Kate Laughlin, ARSL Executive Director