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Supporting rural libraries

- Small libraries facing threats need to know that they are not alone -- need support from larger libraries in the area, including university and State library systems. Librarians in more supported libraries should visit small, rural libraries in their geographical area and ask: how can we work together?

- Priority: making sure rural library staff feel prepared.

- Small rural libraries are often run by people with customer service experience but no library background. May not be connected to the resources available from their state library, library organizations and mailing lists. These staff may feel intimidated by credential librarians, so may not be eager to just reach out.

- ARSL used PLS data to locate libraries that were not participating in their events and created a postcard campaign to invite staff to conferences. Successful!

- Newly created so-called World Library Association is inviting conservative libraries to end their affiliation with ALA and join their fringe organization at no cost.

- Recommended podcast: Straight White American Jesus by ex-ministers. It's helpful to know the language and have talking points that resonate with the community you are serving, including religious language.

- Need to recognize that IF talking points will never convince true believers that it's okay to have books on gender identity in the children's section, as they believe that exposure to these books can imperil a child's soul. Logical arguments can't override emotional conviction that they are fighting evil.

- Staff in rural libraries may be more liberal than average, which brought them to work in libraries, or they may embody the same beliefs as the dominant community. Proceed carefully -- avoid attacking the beliefs of the community.

- What training resources are available? Every Library. WebJunction and ALA. ARSL wants to develop entry level resources about library values, when time allows.