Casey Bruck — McCall Public Library (ID) Librarian & 2025 ARSL Angels Scholarship Recipient 

We’re excited to recognize Casey Bruck, the 2025 ARSL Angels Scholarship recipient and a dedicated librarian serving the McCall Public Library in Idaho. With over fifteen years of experience working in small, rural libraries, Casey has become a cornerstone of his tight-knit resort town community, which swells from 3,500 residents to over 10,000 during tourist season.
Despite the seasonal population changes, Casey sees the library as a year-round gathering place and a vital community hub where locals can connect, learn, and grow. He’s passionate about creating inclusive and meaningful programming for all ages, from early childhood story times to adult poetry walks, Dungeons & Dragons nights, open mics, drum circles, and history lectures.

One of his most impactful contributions is “Doing Democracy,” a homegrown public discourse program co-created in McCall. Now entering its sixth year, this program fosters respectful political dialogue and has gained national and international attention. After presenting it at a local Idaho conference and IFLA, “Doing Democracy” has been adopted by other libraries both in-state and abroad.

“You get to make a positive impact on your community. It’s very rewarding work. Rest assured—your work is valued and has meaning. We are building relationships and improving our community one patron at a time.”

This will be Casey’s first time attending the ARSL Conference, and he’s eager to connect with others who understand the unique challenges and rewards of rural librarianship. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the ARSL community!

Written by the ARSL Office