Applications for the 2024-25 ARSL Leadership Institute participant cohort are now open until February 21, 2024.

The ARSL Leadership Institute is a grant-funded pilot program that seeks to provide timely, relevant leadership development opportunities for rural and small library workers.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualities through their application materials:

Dedication to service in rural and small communities
Commitment to ARSL's Organizational Values
Enthusiasm for learning and professional growth
Interest in expanding library service to reach diverse and/or under-served communities
Aspirations to lead in their library and community
Openness to change in themselves, their library, and their community
Thorough understanding of the commitment required to complete the Institute program
Support from supervisors and/or organizational leadership for their participation

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:

Are currently serving in new library leadership positions, or who anticipate attaining their first library leadership position in the near future
Have worked in libraries for less than 10 years
Do not hold a Master's in Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree (or equivalent)
Self-identify as members of communities that have experienced marginalization and/or are under-represented within the library profession

Additional ARSL information in their eNewsletter below.

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote.

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ARSL Office Dispatch

Welcome to the ARSL Office Dispatch!

Need Advocacy Advice or Support?

The Advocacy Center is ARSL's new and growing resource hub in support of advocacy efforts in rural and small libraries nationwide! Have a topic you'd like the Advocacy Committee to investigate next? Email the ARSL Office at info@arsl.org to let them know!

Become an ARSL Hero!

Want your organization listed here? Join the ARSL Supporters Alliance at the Hero level to show your support of rural and small libraries to 7,000+ library workers, advocates, and fans every week!

Other Hero level benefits include a complimentary exhibit booth at our annual conference, coordinated social media cross-promotion, and more! Click the link below to learn more about the Alliance and help libraries do more, with more.

ARSL Award Nominations

The ARSL Awards for Libraries and Library Workers nominations are now open! The nomination window is from January 2, 2024 - February 6, 2024.

Awards will be based on nominees' accomplishments during the preceding year (January-December 2023), with the exception of the Distinguished Service Award that can take into account nominees' career-long community engagement. Nominators will be asked to describe their nominees' commitment to ARSL's Organizational Values, as well as the strength of their professional practice in the focus area of the award for which they are being nominated.

Individuals or organizations can be nominated for multiple awards, but will only be able to win one award per year. Self-nominations and nominations of eligible libraries/library workers by non-library individuals or organizations are acceptable.

All recipients will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at the 2024 ARSL Conference. In addition to receiving their award, all recipients will receive one (1) complimentary conference registration ($300 value) each so they may be honored in person and celebrated by their ARSL community.

ARSL Leadership Institute

Applications for the 2024-25 Leadership Institute participant cohort are now open until February 21, 2024.

The ARSL Leadership Institute is a grant-funded pilot program that seeks to provide timely, relevant leadership development opportunities for rural and small library workers.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualities through their application materials:

Dedication to service in rural and small communities
Commitment to ARSL's Organizational Values
Enthusiasm for learning and professional growth
Interest in expanding library service to reach diverse and/or under-served communities
Aspirations to lead in their library and community
Openness to change in themselves, their library, and their community
Thorough understanding of the commitment required to complete the Institute program
Support from supervisors and/or organizational leadership for their participation

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:

Are currently serving in new library leadership positions, or who anticipate attaining their first library leadership position in the near future
Have worked in libraries for less than 10 years
Do not hold a Master's in Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree (or equivalent)
Self-identify as members of communities that have experienced marginalization and/or are under-represented within the library profession

Upcoming ARSL TRAINs

February TRAIN: Stress & Resilience

Thursday, February 15, 2024

11:00 am PT /12:00 pm MT/ 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET

Stay tuned for more information!

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2024 Conference

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2024 will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT via the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. This one-day virtual conference is co-sponsored by ARSL and the Nebraska Library Commission.

Everyone is welcome to register and attend, no matter your service population or staff size! ARSL President Patrick Bodily will deliver opening remarks before a day packed with virtual learning content tailored to the needs of small libraries.