2021 ARSL Conference

What a show! The Biggest Little Library Conference may be finished in person, but we're excited to be able to provide continued online access to our virtual and livestreamed conference sessions through the end of the year for all registered attendees. Our libraries may be small, but our community is mighty. As we come together to share ideas and learn from each other, the possibilities are huge. Our goal is to infuse principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion into every level of the conference, from including diverse perspectives in programs to removing barriers to access.

We hope you will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to continue your learning during the coming months.

Looking for the Virtual Conference site?

You will access the virtual conference experience through our Whova app. All recorded content will be available through December 31!

You can access Whova from your web browser or via the mobile app. You can switch back and forth between the web version and the app while you’re at work, at home, or on the go. Please make sure you can access Whova before the start of the conference.

• Web Version: Open Whova using your web browser. Click “Sign up here” and create an account using the email address associated with your registration. If you’ve already created your account or you have used Whova before, sign in. You will be taken straight to the conference site.

• Mobile App: Open this page in your smartphone’s web browser, or search “Whova” in your app store. Download the app, and search for the “2021 Association for Rural & Small Libraries Conference.” On the sign-in page, click “Sign up here” and create an account using the email address associated with your registration. If you’ve already created your account or you have used Whova before, sign in. You will be taken straight to the conference site.

Forgot your password? Click the "forgot password" link under the password entry field to receive a password reset email.

If Whova is asking you for a code, double check that you’re using the email address associated with your registration. If you’re still having trouble, email [email protected] or call (206) 453-3579 to make sure you’re registered correctly.

Have Questions?

The ARSL Office has provided an extensive list of FAQ's that will help you make the most of your virtual conference experience. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions for help using the Whova conference app. These will be updated as frequent questions emerge.

Making Connections

Networking in Whova

Be sure to explore networking opportunities within Whova. You can send messages to your colleagues attending both virtually and in person, participate in message boards, schedule virtual or in-person meetups, and discover new connections based on what you have in common. You'll have access to all of these networking features through the end of the year!

Attending Sessions & Events

On-Demand Sessions
You will be able to access all on-demand, pre-recorded sessions beginning Wednesday, October 20. Interact asynchronously with presenters and other attendees using the chat and Q&A features on the session page.

Livestreams
Select keynotes and sessions will be livestreamed from Sparks. Livestreamed sessions have a "Livestream" tag in the agenda. If you miss any streams, recordings will be uploaded following the conference.

Conference Evaluations
You will have the opportunity to fill out a short evaluation in the Whova app following each session and event you attend. After the conference you will receive an email inviting you to participate in the online conference evaluation form. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us plan better conferences, so please take the time to share your thoughts.

Our Thanks & Support

Our Conference Committee is so thankful that you are participating in our first-ever hybrid conference. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or calling (206) 453-3579 Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–5:00 pm PT.

Registration Information

Registration for the 2021 ARSL Conference is closed. We look forward to seeing you at our ARSL TRAIN workshops throughout the coming year, and to welcoming you to our 2022 conference in Chattanooga, TN!

 8/23/2021 Update: ARSL Board Votes to Require Proof of Vaccination

In the interest of ensuring the safety of our attendees and presenters, and based on the best available information from the CDC regarding large indoor gatherings, the Board of Directors of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries has voted in favor of requiring proof of vaccination to attend the 2021 ARSL Conference in person. You are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after your second shot if you receive(d) two doses (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks after you receive(d) a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).

Attendees who fail to provide proof of vaccination will be denied admission to the conference. If you have been advised against receiving the COVID-19 vaccination by your doctor, you may provide documentation of that medical exemption on official clinic or hospital letterhead in lieu of a vaccination card. Attendees who cannot provide proof of vaccination are invited to join us for the virtual conference experience. The ARSL office will be glad to assist you in changing your registration as needed; no administrative fees will be charged to registrants as a result of these changes.

We hope that this decision will help our attendees feel more secure attending our in-person event, and we look forward to reconnecting and growing with you this October.

Please direct any questions to the ARSL office at [email protected].