{"id":32523,"date":"2024-10-25T10:34:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T15:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/?p=32523"},"modified":"2024-10-10T11:50:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T16:50:15","slug":"arsl-2024-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/2024\/10\/25\/arsl-2024-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"ARSL 2024 Conference Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I recently attended the\u00a02024 Association for Small and Rural Libraries (ARSL) conference<\/a>.\u00a0The theme \u201cLibraries are (r)Evolutionary\u201d proclaimed that the event aimed to provide an opportunity for exploring the transformative power of rural and small libraries in our communities. Thus, I\u2019d spend the next four days flitting from session to vivid session through the meadow of the MassMutual Center\u2014sipping the nectar of inspiration while gathering the pollen of innovative ideas. Then, I\u2019d fly home to Texas where our libraries can bear the fruit of better supported leadership needed to nourish the ever-changing needs of their patrons.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the sessions that made my brain float the most:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Library Policies: What You Need & Why<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this pre-conference session, Patty Collins and Gail Santy of the Central Kansas Library System<\/a> discussed the essential policies a small library should adopt before <\/em>they\u2019re needed. Drawing upon their collective years of public service and library consulting experience, Collins and Santy shared a treasure trove of resources including cautionary tales, sample library policies<\/a>, and a checklist<\/a> for taking stock of current operating procedures. Given the uptick in requests that I\u2019ve received regarding this matter, I was ecstatic to begin the conference with this much needed information!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HR for Small & Rural Libraries<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Presenters Sarah Vantrease of Sonoma County Library<\/a> and Sara Koehn of Haskell Township Library<\/a> shared their tips for successful personnel management for rural and small public libraries. Albeit the discussion offered a relatively high-level look at common human resource issues, Sarah and Sara began their talk with my new favorite insight: \u201cThere is no such thing as library HR; <\/em>HR is HR.\u201d Furthermore, they suggested some gems of practicality in directing attendees to Keva Usuf\u2019s podcast and newsletter “I hate it Here<\/a>,\u201d the Public Library Director’s HR Toolkit<\/em><\/a>; and the Society for HR Managers<\/a> (SHRM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Networking Group Meetups<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many of ARSL\u2019s Professional Networking Groups held in-person meetings so members were able to connect in real life while attending the conference, rather than in their usual virtual spaces. Modeled on the success of the association\u2019s \u201cSolo-ish Librarians Happy Hour,\u201d these groups generally host one-hour online meetings where attendees can share ideas, find support, and build community. With the exception of the existing Solo-ish Librarians Happy Hour and the Library Workers of Color group, ARSL Professional Networking Groups are open to ARSL members only. Moreover, there is no limit to how many Networking Groups members can join! For more information, visit the networking group webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners for Rural Impact<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After following each other online for quite some time, I had the opportunity to finally <\/em>meet Dr. Regina Washington of Partners for Rural Impact<\/a> (PRI) in the Exhibit Hall and hear more about how this nonprofit organization works to improve educational outcomes for rural youth. PRI believes that real change comes from transforming communities through a many-sided approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n