Registration is in full swing for the 2011 Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference to be held September 8-11 in Frisco, Texas. NEKLS has arranged bus transportation and is offering continuing education grants to encourage participation in this valuable program.
The conference brings together representatives from libraries across the nation to share resources and build a spirit of collaboration. The mission of ARSL, an affiliate of the American Library Association, is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves.
This year’s program features special sessions by Linda Braun, a nationally-known library technology consultant; Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes, creators of the world’s only library comic strip, Unshelved (www.unshelved.com); and Joe Bob Briggs - TV personality, drive-in movie critic, author and advocate of intellectual freedom (www.joebobbriggs.com).
Here is a sampling of the many, practical workshops being offered at this year’s conference:
- Inside Tips for Grant Writing
- Homework 411 for Teens
- Cloud Computing
- Programming for All Ages
- Endowment Building
- Recycling Books for Fun, Fashion & Profit
- Trustee/Board Development
- Summer Reading Programs
- Developing Community Partnerships
- Library Signage
- Engaging Volunteers
- Getting Non-Reading Teens Involved in YA Lit
- Saks Services on a Dollar General Budget
- Storytelling Programs for All Ages
- Storytime Ideas
- Troubleshooting Technology
- Adult Programs on a $0 Budget
For conference information, visit the ARSL website. If you have any questions, contact Sara Zach, ARSL Program Manager, at arsl.conference@gmail.com.
Teri Nelson is the Staff Assistant at NEKLS. You can reach her by email (tnelson (at) nekls.org), phone, or on the Google Chat instant messaging platform (look Teri up by her email address). Visit the 
