2026 ARSL Board Election

Dedicated and engaged members are what make ARSL such a valuable resource for small libraries nationwide. We sincerely thank each candidate for their willingness to serve and contribute to ARSL’s success.

Cast Your Votes:

Voting for the 2026 Board of Directors Election is now open. All active ARSL members are entitled to one (1) vote in all member voting processes. Voting will be open through Thursday, August 14 at 3 pm PT / 4 pm MT / 5 pm CT / 6 pm ET. 
 
Reminder:
Ensuring that each of our four ARSL Regions (South, Northeast, Midwest, and West) has a representative on the Board prompted the creation of our four Regional Representative positions in 2020. These Regional Representatives serve as a conduit of information and communication for their Region in Board discussions and contribute to the diversity of viewpoints that makes our association strong. Based on feedback received during past election cycles, the Elections Committee has determined that voting for the Regional Representative positions will be limited to only ARSL members currently working in those Regions. This year's ballot includes candidates for the Midwest and West Regional Representative positions.

We would encourage all ARSL members to visit your member profile to ensure your information is accurate, particularly if you have recently relocated. We have created a guide for reviewing and updating your member profile for those who haven't yet explored the updated profile layout.
 
If you have questions about the elections process or have difficulty accessing the voting form please reach out to the ARSL office at [email protected].

Vote in the 2026 Board Election

 

Candidate Statements:

We would encourage all members to review the candidate statements to familiarize yourselves with the candidates prior to voting.

Learn more about each candidate’s background, experience, and passion for ARSL’s mission. From leadership to lived experience in small and rural libraries, these statements reflect the values guiding our future Board. Read the 2026 candidate statements:

2026 Candidate Statements

Candidate Forums (Now Concluded):

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Candidate Forums! These live sessions provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their priorities, policies, and vision for ARSL.

Please note that the Forums were not recorded. If you were unable to attend and have questions for the candidates, you can find their email addresses on the Candidate Statements page or send your questions to the ARSL Office at [email protected], and we will forward them on your behalf.

Forum Schedule:
  • Treasurer Candidates Forum: Monday, July 7
  • Vice President/President-Elect Candidates Forum: Tuesday, July 8
  • West Regional Representative Candidates Forum: Tuesday, July 8
  • Midwest Regional Representative Candidates Forum: Wednesday, July 9
We appreciate your engagement in helping shape the future of ARSL!

Positions Eligible For Election:

Vice President/President-Elect (3-year term) Position Description
Treasurer (2-year term) Position Description
West Regional Representative (2-year term) Position Description
Midwest Regional Representative (2-year term) Position Description

2026 Board Election Timeline:

Nominations Open: June 5, 2025
Nominations Close: June 26, 2025
Candidates Announced: July 1, 2025
Candidates Forums: July 7-9, 2025
Elections Open: July 31, 2025
Elections Close: August 14, 2025
Candidates Notified: August 15, 2025
Membership Notified: August 19, 2025
New Leadership Term: January 1, 2026

Candidate Eligibility Guidelines

All candidates must be ARSL members in good standing, and must maintain active ARSL membership for the duration of their leadership term.

No more than one application from any one organization for candidacy shall be accepted. This is to limit conflict of interest and to keep a wide range of representation among all regions of ARSL.

In the event we receive more than one, each application will be returned to both candidates for an “In-house” agreement. If it cannot be resolved internally, the Election Committee will make a decision as a whole and all decisions will be final.

In the event an application comes from an organization from which another current member currently sits on the board, preference will be given to the current board members until they reach maximum terms.