Preconference Workshops | Wednesday, September 17

Preconference workshops are priced separately from general conference registration.

Additional preconference workshops are still being finalized! Check back soon for new additions. Attendees who are already registered for the conference and need to add-on preconference workshops can do so below.

Preconference Workshop Registration

For attendees who still need to be registered for the conference, you may include preconference registrations with conference registration using the general conference registration form.

2026 Preconference Workshop Rates

ARSL Member Rates

Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops - $65
4-Hour Workshops - $80

Student, Advocate & Retiree Rates*

Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops - $65
4-Hour Workshops - $80

Nonmember Rates

Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops - $90
4-Hour Workshops - $105

*Must be a Student, Advocate, or Retiree member of ARSL to receive this pricing.

**Preconference Workshop fees are charged in addition to Base Conference Registration and are available for in-person conference attendees only.

Can't join us in person in Montgomery? ARSL members get FREE access to our expanded year-round TRAIN Workshop schedule! Look for virtual replays of our highest-rated 2026 conference sessions coming down the TRAIN tracks in 2027.

All Day Workshop | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM & 2:00-5:00 PM

Libraries 101
Are you new to your position in libraries or library leadership and find yourself overwhelmed and without a clear guidebook for how to do the job? Join us for a crash course in the fundamentals of leading and running a small and rural library taught by experts in the field. In this all-day workshop, you’ll get practical training in HR, policies, budgeting, advocacy, and more. This Preconference Workshop was envisioned by the ARSL Board of Directors. Stay tuned for more detailed information on the curriculum and a list of presenters.

Morning Workshops | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Collection Management (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Collection management is more than buying books. Learn all the stages, from collection mapping to selection and purchasing to inventories and weeding. This interactive session will cover the basics and dive a little deeper to reveal time-saving ideas for rural and small libraries with big to-do lists. The collection is still the heart of the library, but with more formats, Libraries of Things, and the rising popularity of digital content, it can feel like a lot to keep track of. Bring your questions and your experience, and if you can, a computer that can log in to your library's integrated library system (may be useful but is optional) for this crash course in all things collections.

Anna Szczepanski, Colleague on Call Consultant, The Colorado Library Consortium

When the Fight Comes Here: Skills for Speaking Up and Staying Safe
Library workers are on the front lines of protecting access to books in small and rural libraries across the country. When the fight to ban books comes to your doorstep, it arrives with a host of questions relating to intellectual freedom and personal safety. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn vital skills for navigating this challenging moment, informed by the experiences of library workers on the ground and bolstered by PEN America’s research on book bans and online harassment. Through group discussion, case studies and demos, we will share guidance for communications, digital safety self-defense, and the basics of de-escalation. You’ll leave with tip sheets, resources, and actionable next steps to speak up and stay safe.

Beck Haberstroh, Program Manager, Digital Safety Training and Resources, PEN America

From Polarization to Participation: Designing Inclusive Community Conversation Programs
Rural and small libraries are often a core civic space where library staff may find themselves at the center of tense conversations. This interactive workshop provides practical tools to design inclusive community conversations that move from polarization to participation. Participants will explore proactive accessibility planning, inclusive design, and strategies for navigating high-tension topics. Through hands-on exercises, they will strengthen skills in dialogue facilitation and managing tension. Attendees will receive the new ALA Polarizing Conversations guide to support continued learning. Designed for libraries with limited staff, this session offers tools to strengthen civic resilience.

Keiva Hummel, Executive Director, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
Courtney Breese, Director Emeritus, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
Tyler Hahn, Director, Cherokee Public Library
Samantha Oakley, Deputy Director, Public Programs Office, American Library Association

Afternoon Workshops | 2:00-5:00 PM

Healthy Roots, Strong Communities: Health Information Resources & Programming

Rural and small libraries play a vital role in connecting their communities to trustworthy health information. This interactive workshop is designed for library staff who want to feel more confident helping patrons find reliable health information. Participants will explore trusted National Library of Medicine resources, including MedlinePlus, and practice navigating them in real time. Through guided activities and practical planning tools, you’ll learn how to respond to health questions, support various community members (including older adults), and develop effective health programs tailored to your library’s unique needs. You’ll leave with practical skills, ready-to-use strategies, and greater confidence in connecting your community to trustworthy health information. By the end of the class, participants will be able to navigate and demonstrate MedlinePlus and related NLM resources, practice responding confidently to health information requests, outline a simple plan for health programming or outreach, and identify potential community partners to support health initiatives.

Jessi Van Der Volgen, Associate Director, NNLM Training Office
Sam Nunn, Program Manager, NNLM Training

When the Pendulum Swings Back: Libraries & the Next Intellectual Movement
Cultural cycles are not static. Periods marked by division, reaction, and skepticism toward institutions are often followed by renewed investment in learning, civic engagement, and shared inquiry. Many communities are already showing signs of this shift through growing interest in classical literature, civic literacy, community dialogue, and intentional learning. Rural and small libraries are uniquely positioned to prepare for and help guide this resurgence. This session explores how libraries can take a long view of cultural change and position themselves as steady anchors during transition. Drawing on historical examples of libraries during previous renewal periods, participants will examine emerging trends and identify practical steps to strengthen collections, programming, partnerships, and messaging in anticipation of increased intellectual and civic engagement. Attendees will leave with a forward-looking strategy to ensure their library is ready not only to endure cultural change, but to lead through it.

Ashley Stewart, Campaign Strategist, EveryLibrary

Family Makers Kits: Simple, Ready-to-Implement Engineering
In this hands-on pre-conference workshop, participants will explore the Family Makers online engineering program curriculum through active engagement with ready-to-use engineering kits our research team developed in partnership with seven rural libraries in the US. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with some of the engineering kits and challenges we designed, while also understanding how the curriculum was designed and iterated. While designed as an online engineering program, it can also be delivered in-person, as take-and-make kits, or drop-in stations, supporting flexible implementation. We will share our development process, including real-world challenges in implementation and adaptation for rural and small library settings. Participants will leave with practical strategies for promoting engineering learning in rural communities, tips for low-cost program delivery, and ideas for sustaining engagement. Take-home materials and adaptable activity guides will support immediate implementation in their own libraries.

Soo Hyeon Kim, Assistant Professor, Indiana University Indianapolis
Gi Woong Choi, Assistant Professor, Florida State University

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