What Association for Rural & Small Libraries does

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership association serving rural and small library staff and institutions across the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, the organization was founded around 2008 (its first annual conference was held in Sacramento that year) and operates with a small staff of approximately 7 employees under Executive Director Kate Laughlin. Its defined constituency is the staff of libraries serving smaller and rural communities — a segment historically under-represented by larger library associations.

ARSL's core offerings include a tiered membership program (individual dues from $20-$100 and library dues from $70-$225+ currently, with restructured tiers effective July 2026 of $25-$120 for individuals and $80-$850 for libraries), a regionally rotating annual conference (2026 in Montgomery, AL; 2027 in Milwaukee, WI), the TRAIN monthly webinar series with member-only archives, an advocacy center that partners with IMLS, grant administration, and original research products such as the Solo Library Workers Survey. The Preferred Partner Vendor program connects members with vetted library service suppliers, creating a parallel two-sided engagement channel.

Revenue is generated through individual and institutional membership dues, annual conference registration, donations, merchandise, and partner/vendor programs. The organization operates as a member-funded trade association rather than a technology vendor; its competitive position rests on community, content archive, advocacy voice, and curated vendor access rather than on proprietary software or AI-driven products.

Name

Association for Rural & Small Libraries

Legal name

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries

Website

https://arsl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association serving rural and small library staff across the United States, offering tiered memberships, a rotating annual conference, TRAIN webinars, advocacy, grants, and a Preferred Partner Vendor program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Sliding-scale annual membership dues based on individual employee income level (ranging $25-$120 per year for individual employees; $25 for students, retirees, library advocates, and unemployed members)
2. Library Membership Dues: Annual dues for libraries, library systems, library consortia, or State Libraries based on annual operating budget, ranging from $80-$850 per year
3. Nonprofit Organization Membership: Annual dues for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations including Friends of the Library groups and Library Foundations, based on number of employees ($120-$550)
4. Business Membership: Annual dues for for-profit businesses and independent library consultants, based on number of employees ($150-$750)
5. Conference Registration: Revenue from annual conference registration fees; $50 for members, $65 for non-members, $25 for advocates
6. ARSL Store Merchandise: Sales of ARSL-branded merchandise including apparel, drinkware, bags, accessories, conference logos, and anniversary designs
7. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from supporters; ARSL is a registered 501(c)(3) organization

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ARSL is a 501(c)(3) national membership association that supports rural and small library staff in the United States. Its core deliverables are tiered membership programs (individual, library, nonprofit, and business), the monthly TRAIN (Training, Roundtables, and Informational Networking) webinar series, a rotating annual national conference, an Advocacy Center with policy and funding resources, and grant programs such as Literacy Bridges and Overcoming Obstacles for solo librarians.

Product overview

ARSL offers a platform of membership-based programs and services centered on supporting rural and small library professionals. The core offerings include the ARSL TRAIN webinar series for continuing education, the annual national conference rotating through U.S. regions, tiered membership programs, an Advocacy Center with policy resources, and grants & funding programs. The organization provides a members-only TRAIN Archive of past workshops alongside public training content, all accessible through ARSL membership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRAIN: Training, Roundtables, and Informational Networking series - monthly online workshops, roundtables, and networking events designed to support and connect library professionals.
• Rural Routes

Products and services

• ARSL Membership Programs
• ARSL Annual Conference
• ARSL TRAIN (Training, Roundtables, and Informational Networking)
• Advocacy Center
• Grants & Funding Programs
• ARSL Store

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Hoopla / Midwest TapecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter Alliance member providing digital media platform for public libraries. Hoopla allows library patrons to borrow audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, and music. Midwest Tape is the parent company serving libraries with digital content.
• Media Source Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporters Alliance member serving K-12 schools and libraries through trusted brands including Library Journal, School Library Journal, The Horn Book, and Junior Library Guild.
• OCLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal library organization offering shared technology services, original research, and community programs. Thousands of members in more than 100 countries benefit from OCLC's shared infrastructure.
• Penguin Random HousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporters Alliance member connecting libraries with bestselling and award-winning titles across all formats and genres. Provides reduced-cost exhibitor registration at ARSL conferences.
• FacilitySightsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides space and building analytics tools at discounted member-only rates including hardware from $799 and software from $5-$15/month per sensor.
• GrantStationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides searchable grantmaker database and grant-seeking tools at exclusive reduced pricing for ARSL members. Includes funding opportunity newsletters.
• Roper iPoll / Cornell UniversitysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPart of America's Voice Project, Roper iPoll provides access to nearly a million public opinion survey questions dating back to 1935. ARSL members receive one free year of access with pay-what-you-can renewal options.
• Sustainable Libraries InitiativesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerHelps library leaders advance environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically sustainable practices through webinars, templates, and certification tools. ARSL members receive one free year plus 20% off certificate program.
• Mission TelecomsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports libraries and nonprofits with affordable wireless hotspot programs including no activation fees, free shipping, and unlimited broadband plans at $7/month per line for ARSL members.
• Library of Congress Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHas served the library community since 1935 with financial products tailored to library professionals including interest-earning checking, loan discounts, and competitive savings rates.
• PCs for PeopleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering deeply discounted computers, laptops, technology accessories, and hotspots to ARSL members through member portal access.
• BiblionixcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for 2020 conference. Provides technology solutions for public libraries.
• bibliothecacoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum sponsor and technology partner providing library automation and digital solutions. Featured sponsor for technology sessions at 2020 conference.
• Libraries Transforming Communities (ALA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum sponsor; ALA initiative supporting library community engagement. ARSL participates in LTC grant programs and advocacy efforts.
• United for LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum sponsor; association of library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations. Co-presents sessions on library support and advocacy.
• knowmadscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for 2020 conference. Consulting/services partner for libraries.
• Niche AcademysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor providing online training and tutorial solutions for libraries at member discounts.
• Unite for LiteracysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor providing digital literacy resources and support for library programming.
• Gumdrop BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor providing book services for libraries with exceptional service guarantee.
• Workman PublishingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor providing publishing content for library collections.
• Little Free LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on upcycling to start Little Free Libraries. Nonprofit organization with over 200,000 Little Free Libraries globally.
• Lyrasis / Palace ProjectsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on Palace Project e-book licensing and collection development. Lyrasis initiative helping libraries deliver patron-centered digital reading experience.
• Cherry Lake Publishing Group / Road to ReadingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on early literacy through decodables and the Road to Reading program for emerging readers.
• First BooksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on passive programming. Organization providing new books to children in need through its network.
• SciStarterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on citizen science for libraries. Organization connecting people to citizen science projects, offering free professional development and circulating kits.
• GrantStationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented TRAIN session on GrantStation features and tools for grant research. Provides searchable database for grant opportunities.
• U.S. Government Accountability OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Partner TRAIN on advocating for rural library needs with GAO. Survey on public library facility conditions provides valuable data for libraries.
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSL joined 8 leading cultural organizations in advocating for IMLS funding. ARSL participates in IMLS-supported initiatives including the Overcoming Obstacles grant program for solo librarians.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amigos Library Services: Amigos is a nonprofit library consortium providing cooperative purchasing, training, and resource sharing to member libraries. Its service mix (training + vendor discounts + advocacy support) maps directly to ARSL's benefits bundle.
• Public Library Association: PLA is an ALA division focused on public libraries, including small and rural ones. It runs conferences, professional development, and advocacy that directly overlap with ARSL's offerings, making it the closest direct comparable for membership-based service to public library staff.
• LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a nonprofit library consortium offering shared technology services, training, and group purchasing for libraries. Its member-benefit and training model closely resembles ARSL's preferred-vendor and TRAIN programs, and it overlaps with the same small/rural library audience.
• United for Libraries: United for Libraries is an ALA division representing library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations — directly mirroring ARSL's advocate/trustee member segment. It co-presents sessions with ARSL at conferences and competes for the same advocacy-focused audience.
• WebJunction: WebJunction is OCLC's free online learning community for library staff, offering webinars and self-paced courses. Its continuing-education mission and audience (small/rural library staff) overlap tightly with ARSL's TRAIN workshops.
• Chief Officers of State Library Agencies: COSLA is a membership association of state library agencies, many of which are institutional members of ARSL. It uses a similar advocacy + convening model for the library ecosystem and competes for the attention and dues of state-level library leadership.

Broad incumbents

• American Library Association: ALA is the largest U.S. library membership association, covering all library types and staff. It overlaps with ARSL because it serves the same library professional population (including rural members through its divisions) but operates at national scale with a much broader remit.

Regional players

• Califa Library Group: Califa is a California-based library consortium offering group purchasing and professional development for public libraries. It is comparable to ARSL in service design but operates in a defined geographic footprint rather than nationally.
• Infopeople: Infopeople is a California State Library-funded training program for library staff, providing webinars and self-paced courses. It mirrors ARSL's TRAIN programming for a regional library audience.

Others

• Bibliographical Society of America: A scholarly library-focused membership association that uses a similar dues-funded, member-services model to ARSL but targets academic/research-library communities rather than rural/small public library staff.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ARSLpage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-rural-&-small-libraries
• Instagraminstagram.com/rurallibassoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for Rural & Small Libraries