Kate Laughlin

Executive Director

Kate has worked in service and management for more than 30 years, including more than 25 of those working in or with libraries on the front lines, in circulation and reference provision, branch management, continuing education, strategic planning, and association management. Kate has a passion for service excellence and the furthering of libraries and their missions. Before "going rogue" in 2007, Kate was the Staff Training Coordinator for The Seattle Public Library. Since then she has trained in and consulted with dozens of libraries locally and nationally, and served as the Director for the Washington Library Association. Kate has worked with the national Association for Rural & Small Libraries since early 2018 and became its first Executive Director in January 2020.

In the almost seven years since, she has developed and expanded a dedicated team of professionals to support the needs of library professionals located throughout the United States and Canada. In her free time, Kate enjoys eagle-watching, mushroom foraging, and hanging with her pound puppy, Daisy.

Megan Fontaine

Assistant Director

Megan started her library career in Destin, Florida, where she worked for six years in library administration and programming. While there, she saw firsthand the difference a small library can make to its community. Megan joined the ARSL team as an Administrative Assistant in 2020 while pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington, which she obtained in June 2022. In October 2022, she became ARSL's first Assistant Director. She has a passion for advocacy and a deep commitment to giving back to the small library community that has given her so much throughout her life.

Brooke Van Eyk

Development Director

Brooke's career began in the banking and finance sector, where she developed extensive expertise in technical writing, budget management, project management, and business operations. Drawn to the library profession through years of volunteer work, she earned her Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. After completing her degree, she joined the ARSL team in July 2024, focusing on fundraising to support workforce development and community programming. She is deeply committed to promoting the values that make libraries dynamic and inclusive community spaces.

Shamim Rupani

Development Coordinator

Although Shamim did not start out her career in libraries, she found herself drawn to this world simply due to her love of literature. Originally from Texas, Shamim graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas, where she double majored in Psychology and Child Learning and Development. With experience in teaching, customer service, and administrative work, she has always been passionate about fostering inclusive spaces and helping people connect with the resources they need. She is now excited to continue her journey in the library world, deepening her advocacy work and strengthening her commitment to supporting small and rural library communities across the nation and beyond.

Emma Beckley

Communications Coordinator

Emma Beckley joined ARSL in December 2024. As communications coordinator, she leads the Association's external communications and storytelling, overseeing marketing, digital channels, and media relations. She also developed ARSL's visual identity and guides how the brand is used across the Association's programs and events.

Emma grew up in a small, rural town where the library was always part of her life, and she carried that into her work at Cocoon House, connecting the youth she supported with their local libraries. She later digitized and cataloged historic photographs for the Burke Museum's archive. With a degree in art history from the University of Washington and a graphic design specialization from CalArts, she is passionate about using libraries and museums to amplify the voices and cultures of marginalized communities. Emma also volunteers with Books to Prisoners, where she organized a team volunteer session that the organization now offers to other groups.

Darian Lorrain

Events Coordinator

Darian received her MLIS degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before moving to Washington, where she started her career as a youth services librarian. She is passionate about creating support systems for libraries and library workers, so that every community can have a thriving library.

Brittany Isaacson

Communications & Events Assistant

Brittany graduated with her B.A. in History and Applied Computing before pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. She began her library career at Odegaard Undergraduate Library at UW Seattle, where she saw the impact librarians have on the people around them. She has a deep passion for information accessibility and community.

Carolyn Kinney

Development Assistant

Carolyn started her library journey as a Library Assistant in rural northern Minnesota. After relocating to the PNW, she graduated with her MLIS from the University of Washington in June 2026. With a background in customer service and all-ages education, she is passionate about intellectual freedom, physical community spaces, and supporting lifelong learning.

Outside of work, you can find Carolyn reading any genre, playing with her dog and two cats, or hiking and rock climbing around Washington State.

Harrison Temple

Admin Assistant

Harrison is proud to be from rural Oregon and knows the positive impact of small libraries firsthand. With a background in immigrant and refugee advocacy, he is excited to help small and rural libraries through multilateral communication and administration! In his free time, he can be found baking bread or walking around Green Lake.