Erica Moses — BLHS Free Library, Director, Belmont, NY & 2025 Solo Librarian of the Year
Erica Moses was honored with ARSL's 2025 Solo Librarian of the Year Award for exemplary service as a solo librarian at Genesee Area Library in Genesee, Pennsylvania, before relocating to Belmont Literary & Historical Society Free Library in Belmont, New York, in June 2025.
At Genesee Area Library, Erica made precious little go a long way toward becoming a thriving community center. Success wasn't measured in numbers—it was forged through trust, one interaction at a time. Whether helping a patron fill out job applications, teaching sourdough fundamentals, or simply providing a refuge for a teenager to explore their self, Erica came with no judgment and no ego. "The library is not a building," she says. "It's a living, breathing part of the people it serves."
Erica's award recognized her excellent dedication to accessibility, intellectual freedom, and professionalism. She promoted diverse collections, defended patron privacy, and refused to let outside pressure curtail library services. Her yearly community reports embodied transparency and accountability, showing residents where funding came from and how their library benefited them.
Now at BLHS Free Library—founded in 1885 by women who did not yet have the right to vote but understood their community needed a place to grow and learn—Erica continues that legacy of bold vision. Located in the heart of Allegany County, she's bringing her solo librarian skills to this historic village library, greeting her new community where they are with early literacy initiatives, play-based toddler programs, and the same dedication to ensuring the library is a safe and welcoming place for all.
Her advice to other small library staff: "Start with what your community truly needs, not with what you think you're 'supposed' to do. Relationships will always be more valuable than circulation statistics."
"If you're feeling like no one is seeing what you're doing... I see you. This work is hard. It's sacred. And you're not alone."
Read More About the 2025 ARSL Award Recipients
Written by the ARSL Office
