Conference Registration Information
The Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference Planning Team is excited to announce the opening of registration for the 2012 conference in Raleigh, NC, and the availability of a preliminary conference schedule! All items can be found on our website on the following pages:
- Registration Information
- Exhibitor & Sponsorship Information
- Program Information
- Scholarship Information
On the Registration Information page you will find instructions as to joining the association (which will save $55 off the cost of full-conference registration for non-students), and instructions that will help you navigate our online store when purchasing your conference registration. You may pay online, or select the billing option.
We hope you’ll peruse the preliminary schedule under Program Information to see all of the exciting speakers and sessions we have planned, and stay tuned as more details are finalized. As always, if you have any questions about the conference, please contact us at arslannualconference@gmail.com.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Raleigh!
May 18, 2012 Board Meeting
Association for Rural and Small Libraries Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, May 19, 2012, 8:30 PT; 9:30 MT; 10:30 CT; 11:30 ET
Dial this toll free number: 1-888-850-4523
Participant code when prompted: 184438
AGENDA
I. Welcome and Call to Order
Becky Heil, President
II. Consent Agenda
- Approve Minutes of March 23, 2012, Louise Greene, Secretary
- Current Financial Statements, Lesley Boughton, Treasurer
III. President’s Report
Becky
- Support letter for the FCC Proceeding
- IRS status
- 2013 Iowa/Nebraska Conference MOU
- Website updates & maintenance responsibilities
IV. Executive Committee Report
Becky
- Proposed Conference Partner MOU that will be customized each year
- Progress on ARSL’s first Annual Report
- Recommendation on web-meeting system for ARSL
V. Treasurer’s Report
Lesley
- Overview of ARSL’s financial picture
VI. Conference Update
Andrea Berstler, Chair
- Conference Program
- Conference Scholarships Program
- Conference Partner MOU with North Carolina State Library
VII. Partnerships Committee
Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Chair
- Update on Gates Foundation Proposal
- Update on NSF Project & ALA Program Committee-Larry Grieco
- Update on UNT PEARL Program-Louise Greene
- Special Project-Louise
VIII. Nominating Committee
Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Chair
- Proposed Slate for 2012 Election
IX. Member Services Committee
Jennifer Peterson, Chair
- Website
- June Newsletter
- Webinars
- March 27: Adult Programs on a $0 Budget with Joey Holmes, Laurens Co Library, SC (997 registrants and 578 attendees!)
- June 7: Best Kept Secret: Marketing the Small & Rural Library with Melinda Tanner and Michelle McIntyre
- September 11: Best Small Library 2012 with Library Journal and Julie Hildebrand, Library Director, Independence Public Library (KS)
- December: Community Outreach Plans with the PEARL Project, Barbara Blake and Louise Greene
- ARSL sponsored events at ALA
- Advocacy and Fundraising for your Rural or Tribal Library, June 23, 1:30-3:00pm
- Rural and Small Libraries Build and Connect Communities, part of the 2012 Diversity and Outreach Fair, June 23, 3:00-5:00pm
- Building and Sustaining Strategic Plans and Partnerships in your Rural or Tribal Community, June 24, 10:30am-12:00pm
X. Membership Development Committee
Tena Hanson, Chair
- Update
XI. New Business
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Next Board Meeting – Friday, July 20, 2012 – 8:30 am Pacific; 9:30 am Mountain; 10:30 am Central; 11:30 am Eastern
ADJOURN BOARD MEETING
See also Board Minutes Archive
ARSL: Gain More at Smaller Conference
I’ve been fortunate to have been introduced to ARSL fairly early in my career in my small, rural library through generous funding from our Regional Library System. I’ve attended three conferences and the same number of our much larger state-wide conference. The amount of information and ideas that I get from the ARSL conference totally outweighs what I gain from the larger conference. Not to mention that the ARSL conference has a “feel” that is more conducive to meeting, networking and sharing ideas with people who face the same obstacles, concerns and joys that I face every single day.
Because last year’s conference was relatively close, I chose to send my entire staff to the Saturday sessions. All three of my fellow staff members had the opportunity to attend classes that they were able to choose and network with people who shared like experiences. 
The amount of ideas, the knowledge that they aren’t the only people in the world facing the same “opportunities” on a daily basis and their increased interest and desire to do the best possible job have been invaluable both to me and our library. Few times can an entire staff enjoy this amount of training and networking for so little an investment?
We have developed many contacts that have helped improve our library, such as being introduced last year to the Geek the Library project – which we implemented immediately upon our return and have used all year. We have received several grants that we were unaware of – but learned of through our ARSL connections.
I am certain that we would not have many of the great ideas for programming and services that we provide our patrons if it weren’t for ARSL. You can be assured that we will maintain our membership and attendance at all possible conferences for many years to come.
Pattie
Bertha Voyer Memorial Library
Honey Grove, Texas
ARSL: The connection to small libraries just like mine
ARSL has been an amazing addition to my career as a children’s librarian in rural North Carolina. I have attended the last two conferences and brought home with me a fervent desire to utilize many of the things I learned.
The most important aspect of ARSL is the connection to small libraries just like mine. At ARSL we figure out how to make silk purses out of sow’s ears because we don’t have zillion dollar budgets and humongous populations with which to deal.
That said, our rural populations should have as many opportunities with modern technology to do what large library systems do. Our little libraries should also provide as many cool programs with the staff we have and always deliver excellent customer service. ARSL has oodles of sessions on just these concepts.
Wonderful friends and supporters are another facet ARSL has provided to me. Kieran Hixon has been awesome to answer any technological questions I have. Countless other attendees and I stay in touch. It’s great to know there are other folks in libraries just like mine with whom you can bounce ideas or share troublesome issues.
One of many things I have personally taken from the ARSL conferences has been programming ideas. We had a very successful Hunger Games party in March with our teens. I got the idea from an awesome session provided by 4 Texas librarians at the ARSL conference in Frisco last September. The Texas ladies and I were actually going to combine parties through Skype, but they had spring break at that time. Bummer…
For libraries to sustain their importance in every community – now and in the future – it is best for library staff folks to provide excellent customer service, provide access to information in all forms, and to deliver beneficial programs to all members of their communities. ARSL helps library staff acquire the skills to make library lovers out of every generation we serve.
Can’t wait for Raleigh!
Melissa ‘Miss Mel’ Hager
Children’s Librarian
Alexander County Library
Taylorsville, NC
www.missmelsblog.blogspot.com
Library Job Links
Based on member response, here are some online resources to help your search for employment or if you’re just looking for a change. If you know of more and would like to share them, please do let us know and we’ll add them.
United States
LIS Jobs
Resources for Librarians Seeking Jobs on WebJunction
Regional
New England States Jobs
Mountain Plains Library Association Jobline
California
California Library Association Jobs Listing
Colorado
Colorado State Library Jobline
Georgia & Southeast
Georgia Public Library Service Job Board
Illinois
Illinois Library Association Jobline
RAILS Library Jobs Board
Iowa
State Library of Iowa Job List
Maine
Maine State Library Job Jar
Jobs In Maine
Michigan
Michigan Library Association Jobline
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Library Association Job Bank
Texas
Texas State Library Jobs
State Library Agency ARSL Conference Scholarships
We’re thrilled to see state library agencies making scholarship opportunities available to librarians in their state! In addition to state-provided scholarships, ARSL has opened up the application process for three ARSL scholarships.
Alabama Public Library Service Scholarships
The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is pleased to announce the formation of 2 scholarships for this year’s Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina from September 27-29, 2012. Funding through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), in conjunction with APLS, provides up to $1500 reimbursement for registration, travel, hotel and meals for each scholarship recipient.
The scholarship’s criteria for applicants include:
- Must work in an Alabama public library
- Never attended an ARSL Conference before
- Library service population is less than 25,000
- Willingness to network and share
- Agree to write a 1-page article for APLSeeds
- Agree to speak at the October Administrators’ Meeting about the Conference
- If not the head of a library, Supervisor approval of the application
Completed applications must be mailed and received at APLS by May 14th, and scholarship winners will be announced by June 29th. It is up to the recipient to make all travel arrangements. Applications are available on the APLS website (http://www.statelibrary.alabama.gov) under Homepage Quick Links. Any questions should be directed to Denise A. Wetzel at dwetzel@apls.state.al.us or 800-723-8469, ext. 3949.
California State Library Scholarships
The California State Library is pleased to announce that it will provide scholarships for California Rural Library and Tribal Library directors and staff to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina September 27 -29, 2012. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn and build practical knowledge, skills, and connections with other rural library staff from across the country.
Who is eligible?
Directors, librarians and other library staff members who work in a rural or Tribal library, and those who are responsible for planning and/or performing public service and programming in a rural or Tribal library.
What will the scholarship cover?
These scholarships will cover conference registration, airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from the airports. All California scholarship recipients will be required to pay for membership in ARSL in order to register for the conference at the member rate.
What is required for the scholarship request?
All scholarship requests are to be submitted by rural or Tribal library directors on their own behalf or on behalf of a staff member. Deadline for submission is June 15, 2012.
For further information and application form, contact Carla Lehn, clehn@library.ca.gov
West Virginia Library Commission Scholarships
The West Virginia Library Commission (WVLC) is pleased to announce the formation of 2 scholarships to attend this year’s Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina from September 27-29, 2012. Funding through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), in conjunction with WVLC, provides up to $1000 reimbursement for registration, travel, hotel and meals for each scholarship recipient.
The scholarship’s criteria for applicants include:
- Must work in a West Virginia public library
- Never attended an ARSL Conference before
- Library service population is less than 20,000
- Willingness to network and share
- Agree to write a 1-page article for a future WVLC newsletter
- Agree to speak at an upcoming seminar/webinar about the Conference or a specific subject area of interest related to a conference session
- If not the head of a library, Supervisor approval of the application
Completed applications must be mailed and received at WVLC by May 31st, and scholarship winners will be announced by June 30th. It is up to the recipient to make all travel arrangements. Download the application and find additional information on the West Virgina Library Commission website.
Conference Hotel Reservations Open
We are pleased to announce that the 2012 ARSL Annual Conference is now ready to take hotel reservations for Raleigh, NC!
The full conference schedule is forthcoming, but onsite, registration will open Wednesday, September 26th at Noon, with preconferences scheduled for 1:00-5:00. The full conference runs Thursday, September 27th through Noon on Saturday, September 29th when you may pick up your boxed lunch to-go!
Make reservations by contacting the official conference hotel:
Sheraton Raleigh Downtown
www.sheraton.com/raleigh
Room Reservation Information
Hotel Rooms – $139 per night (plus tax) per room (single or double occupancy) for more than 2 guests – additional $10 per person
Please register by calling 800-325-3535
Identify yourself as registering for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries Conference.
Room rate is guaranteed only until August 28th, 2012.
Please Note: When you make your reservation you will be charged a one night deposit to hold your room. In the event you need to cancel, this is refundable if cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Also, this hotel will charge a $75 early departure fee if you should leave before your confirmed departure date without notifying them of the change when you check in.
All guest rooms include free internet access and the hotel features:
• Over 60 restaurants within 3 blocks
• IMAX Movie theater within 3 blocks
• Museums and Art Galleries within 3 blocks
• Hotel has a full service restaurant, café and bar
• “Ship on Site” provide prints, signage and ships
• Parking across the street ($12 per day)
• Less than 3 miles to NC State University
• Onsite pool, whirlpool and fitness center
We’ll see you in Raleigh!
ARSL Sponsored Events at ALA 2012
ARSL is pleased, as an ALA Affiliate, to be represented and co-sponsoring these ALA 2012 events. If you’ll be traveling to Anaheim in June, we hope to see you there!
Advocacy and Fundraising for your Rural or Tribal Library
June 23, 1:30-3:00pm
Rural and tribal libraries around the country are overcoming budget and funding challenges using resources and toolkits that provide step-by-step approaches to advocacy and fundraising efforts. Learn from taskforce members who created ALA’s Frontline Fundraising Toolkit; gain insight into successful legislative advocacy efforts that build local support, use online tools and create networks to reach rural legislators; and hear how libraries are using the newly updated Small But Powerful Guide to Winning Big Support for Your Rural Library Toolkit and the Guide for Building Support for your Tribal Library. Learn how to build a network of support in the community, how to collaborate with other libraries and how to market your library essential to the community.
Presenters: Jennifer Peterson, Board Member, Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Chair, ALA Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds Committee; John D. “Danny” Hales, Jr., Retired Director of Suwannee River Regional Library; Peter Pearson, President, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and Lead Consultant for Library Strategies Consulting Group; Janice Kowemy, Librarian/Director, Laguna Public Library, New Mexico and President-Elect, AILA.
Rural and Small Libraries Build and Connect Communities, part of the 2012 Diversity and Outreach Fair
June 23, 3:00-5:00pm
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. (ARSL) provides a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers, and trustees, assisting them to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves. Through ARSL’s annual conference, webinars, newsletter, and an active listserv, ARSL members share programs, strategies and unique approaches to building strong communities. Learn how ARSL members from rural libraries around the country are building community connections which keep libraries at the center of their community’s educational, cultural, economic, and civic live. And we invite ARSL members attending ALA to stop by and join this informal gathering of rural librarians!
Building and Sustaining Strategic Plans and Partnerships in your Rural or Tribal Community
June 24, 10:30am-12:00pm
The success of a rural library depends on effective strategic planning and sustained community partnerships. Come learn more about the facets of planning and partnerships including the basics of writing and implementing a strategic plan for a library of any size, how to ensure successful community outreach, and how to collaborate with city and county managers through strategic community partnerships. Understand the characteristics of a community centered library, how to assess needs and identify outreach target group, and learn tips on choosing a project and partners. Hear about national initiatives working to develop frameworks to help libraries develop their strategies with community partners. Use your strategic plan to help make big decisions, “sell” your goals to key partners, and be able to prove your success over time.
Presenters: Ron Carlee, Chief Operating Officer, International City/County Management Association; Andrea Berstler, President-Elect, Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and Director Wicomico Public Library (MD); Dr. Yunfei Du, Principal Investigator, PEARL (Promoting & Enhancing the Advancement of Rural Libraries) Project, University of North Texas.
Nomintating Committee Seeks Board Members
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Nominating Committee seeks current ARSL members willing to serve as board members for the Association. If you are interested and believe that you have both a commitment to rural and small libraries and a willingness to serve, please carefully review the job description and application for ARSL board members found here.
Sonja Plummer-Morgan, immediate past president and nominating chair shares:
From personal experience, I found service on the ARSL Board rewarding for many reasons. I met dynamic, diverse library staff from all over the country at our annual conference and during the year, formed lasting professional networks, felt as though I made a positive difference in the lives of rural and small library staff, and built leadership skills that I used to improve my community.
Interested members should send completed applications to Carla Lehn (clehn@library.ca.gov) by April 27, 2012.
Additionally, there are opportunities for you to volunteer for the Association that are not Board positions. To learn more about ARSL and its many committees or to discuss particular gifts or skills that you believe would benefit the Association, see Get Involved.
Celebrate Libraries: 2012 ARSL Conference
Join us for the 2012 Annual Conference of the Association for Rural & Small Libraries when we “Celebrate Libraries.” This year’s conference will be held September 27 – 29 at the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Highlights include keynote presenter, Susan Hildreth, director of IMLS and lunch with keynote mystery author Margaret Maron. Join us for a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, September 26, when we’ll celebrate the 200th birthday of the State Library of North Carolina, our conference partner. The scheduled workshops will cover a number of relevant, current issue topics such as using social media, E-books, advocacy for your library, event and programming topics and much more. A full schedule of workshops will be available shortly.
The hallmark of the ARSL conference has always been that the workshops and speakers address real world, practical issues facing small and rural libraries. This emphasis allows the Association to focus its conference on the needs of this unique set of library directors, staff, board members and consultants and offers not theories but real world solutions, tried by their peers in other areas of the country. The 2012 conference committee has been working hard to continue that commitment and hopes that those working in rural and small libraries will make attending this year’s conference a priority.
Conference hotel room rates are $139 per night (plus tax) and can be made by calling the Sheraton Raleigh Downtown at 800-325-3535. Be sure to identify yourself as an attendee of the Association for Rural & Small Libraries Conference. Hotel rates include internet access in all rooms. Those flying into the Raleigh airport should make arrangements with a shuttle company for the 20 minute drive from the airport to the hotel. There are several companies available including Super Shuttle (No conference rates are available for this ground transport).
Early Bird Rates for members will be $220 per person, non-members $275 per person. Early bird rates are good until midnight, Friday, August 31st, 2012. Regular rates for members will be $280 and for non-members $350.
Conference rates include admission to all conference events including:
- Wednesday, September 26, Welcome Reception
- All workshops
- General sessions
- Thursday breakfast
- Friday breakfast & author lunch
- Saturday lunch
- Plus occasional refreshment breaks
Online Registration will open soon and additional information including a conference schedule will be released shortly. Conference updates and additional information will be posted online at www.arsl.info.
Member Testimonials at 2011 Conference
We’re pleased to share these outstanding testimonials from members who attended the 2011 ARSL conference in Frisco, Texas last fall.
Gail Sheldon
Gail Sheldon, Director, Oneonta Public Library, Alabama
“I believe the information & networking ARSL provides its members is unsurpassed. Anyone who works in a small or rural library needs to take advantage of all that ARSL has to offer. I heart ARSL! The information is always timely and RELEVANT!”
Darla Nine Covington, Veedersburg Public Library, Indiana
“The ARSL conference has been well-planned with sessions meaningful, informative and “spot on” with the needs of small, rural libraries. Thank you for addressing the issues and needs of our libraries, affirming our purpose and sharing information. This connection with other libraries from across the USA has been a uniting experience!”
David Seckman
David Seckman, Elma Timberland Library, Washington
“This is my first ARSL conference but it won’t be my last. Terrific!”
Norma Fultz, Rio Grande City Public Library, Texas
“This is my first ARSL conference. I have truly enjoyed the conference, meeting new colleagues and the programs I have learned from and listened to many, many informational sessions. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Anna Bates and Judy Calhoun
Anna Bates, Assistant Director, Stuttgart Public Library, Arkansas
“It is great to attend a conference where every session is relevant for my small rural library!”
Judy Calhoun, Assistant Director, Southeast Arkansas Regional Library
“It is always great to meet people who share the same problems as you. You make great friends and find great resources.”
Jenniffer Stephenson
Jenniffer Stephenson, Greenwood-Leflore Public Library, Mississippi
“It’s a great opportunity not just to learn through workshops but to network with other rural librarians.”
Kate, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
“My favorite conference to attend — finally “my” people!”
Connie Barrington
Connie Barrington, Imperial County Free Library, California
“This is a community of like-minded individuals who are all about serving their respective communities. Community says it all.”
Jeffrey Stoffer
Jeffrey Stoffer, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Arizona
“Going to conferences like this reinvigorates my love and enthusiasm for what we do.”
March 23, 2012 Board Meeting
Association for Rural and Small Libraries Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, March 23, 2012, 8:30 PT; 9:30 MT; 10:30 CT; 11:30 ET
Minutes coming soon.
AGENDA
I. Welcome and Call to Order
Becky Heil, President
II. Consent Agenda
- Approve Minutes of January 5, 2012 Louise Greene, Secretary
- Current Financial Statements Lesley Boughton, Treasurer
III. President’s Report
Becky
- Appointment of Nominating Committee Chair
- Potential Member Survey
- Rural Telcom Conference – Board Attendance
IV. Executive Committee Report
Becky
- Policy Requests from AMR
- ARSL Audit Recommendation – Baseline audit this year; every 3 years after that
- Audit Quotes
- Working on a Conference Partner MOU that could be customized each year
- Co-Chairs for 2013 Conference in Iowa
V. Treasurer’s Report
Lesley
- Final Report as of 12/31/11
VI. Conference Update
Andrea Berstler, Chair
- Conference Program
- Keynote Speakers Update
VII. Partnerships Committee
Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Chair
- Update on Gates Foundation Proposal
- Update on NSF Project & ALA Program Committee Larry Grieco
VIII. Member Services Committee
Jennifer Peterson, Chair
- Website Refresh
- March Newsletter (will be broadcast by March 20), next newsletter in June.
- Webinars
- March 27: Adult Programs on a $0 Budget with Joey Holmes, Laurens Co Library, SC
- June 7: Marketing the Rural Library with Melinda Tanner and Michelle McIntyre, PA
- September 11: Best Small Library 2012 with Library Journal and Julie Hildebrand, Library Director, Independence Public Library, KS
- December: Community Outreach Plans with the PEARL Project, Barbara Blake and Louise Greene
- ALA Sessions
- Midwinter report
- Annual sessions
IX. Membership Development Committee
Tena Hanson, Chair
- Update
X. Policy Committee
Paul Healey, Chair
- Board Policy on Travel to meetings/conferences other than ARSL’s
XI. New Business
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Next Board Meeting – Friday, May 18, 2012 – 8:30 am Pacific; 9:30 am Mountain;
10:30 am Central; 11:30 am Eastern (This begins our 3rd Friday pattern)
ADJOURN BOARD MEETING
See also Board Minutes Archive
2006 – Programs & Handouts
Please visit the Rural Initiative website for archives of 2006 ARSL Conference.
