ARSL Update: Standing Strong for Rural Libraries

Over the past few months, our team has been hard at work advocating for rural and small libraries at every level: from helping individual libraries address local concerns to claiming space for our community at national policy tables. Amid the ongoing threats to library funding and access to information, ARSL remains deeply committed to ensuring our community’s voices are heard, valued, and represented.

We want to take a moment to share how we’ve been showing up for rural libraries across the country, and how you can help.

Since January 2025, ARSL has:

Stood firm in support of the Right to Read

  • Participated in multiple coalitions with library, publishing, bookseller, and citizen advocate partners
  • Contributed to state-level efforts in multiple states to defend intellectual freedom, including letters of support for pro-reading legislation

Deepened strategic partnerships with national allies

  • Participated in multiple meetings with IMLS staff prior to their administrative leave, and ongoing meetings with COSLA
  • Collaborated with ULC and PLA on coordinated messaging that includes two joint statements
  • Attending ongoing meetings with legislators in DC, educating and advocating for IMLS funding and its impact to our small & rural libraries
  • Partnered with EveryLibrary to educate our organizational leadership on best practices in public library advocacy

Elevated rural voices in public conversations

  • Communicated with national media outlets, including interviews with The Public Broadcasting Service and The National Public Radio
  • Connected media outlets with small and rural librarians to share their stories directly
  • Responded swiftly to calls for support from rural libraries across the country, such as St. Genevieve County Library in Missouri

Engaged in federal library policy and advocacy

  • Joined our partners from COSLA and ULC, alongside librarians from across the country, at the Voices for Libraries legislative fly-in
  • Took part in congressional meetings with 10+ Senators and Representatives with additional meetings planned for as long as is necessary  

Continued long-term strategy work

Beyond our immediate advocacy efforts, ARSL remains dedicated to building sustainable, long-term support for small and rural libraries across America. We've continued holding strategy sessions to align grant opportunities with evolving community needs and have strengthened partnerships with our national allies committed to library access. These behind-the-scenes efforts are part of our ongoing mission to ensure small and rural libraries have a seat at the table and can continue contributing our unique perspectives to help shape the future of library services.

While the road ahead is long, we’re energized by the passion and resilience of our network and will continue moving forward together!

Here’s how you can help:

 ✅ Join ARSL to stay connected to the latest developments in small and rural libraries
 ✅Tell us what you need—we’re here to listen, learn, and advocate alongside you
 ✅ Support our mission by making a donation to sustain this critical work
 ✅ Share this update with your colleagues and local leaders to spread awareness

Thank you for being part of this powerful community. We are stronger together.

Issued May 2025 by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)