You can now view a customizable conference schedule on Sched.com. The direct link is https://arla2022.sched.com/. You will also see a link to this from the Annual Conference page. Just sign up on Sched.com to view the programs you decide to go to. It is quick and easy. There are also mobile apps for Android and Apple devices.

Arkansas library patrons have a powerful new tool to borrow items from any Arkansas library collection. That’s because they will have access to Mockingbird, the Arkansas Statewide Virtual Union Catalog.

Mockingbird is being rolled out to libraries in stages. The second group of Arkansas libraries has joined Mockingbird.

Mockingbird provides a single point of access to participating Arkansas library catalogs. Library users can search this joint catalog and ask their home libraries to request items to be delivered to their libraries for them to borrow. Mockingbird is not a replacement for a library’s own catalog, rather it works with different catalog systems around Arkansas to provide extended discoverability and access.

SHAREit by Auto-Graphics is the platform behind Mockingbird. The first phase of implementation for Arkansas libraries began in February 2022. Approximately thirty libraries or systems representing public, academic, and special libraries across the state went live in June 2022. The second phase of libraires went live on September 6, 2022 and brought the total number of participating libraries to just over 50.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding propelled the Arkansas State Library to initiate the project this year to address a critical need for our statewide community of users. Library directors in Arkansas were surveyed in May 2021 on their interest in participating in a statewide resource sharing platform.

Based on the response, the State Library moved forward with a Request for Proposal solicitation for a flexible and configurable commercial off-the-shelf platform. That process was finalized in November, and the Arkansas State Library received legislative approval at the end of January to use the Auto-Graphics SHAREit platform for this resource.

The cost of the platform implementation as well as the ongoing annual costs associated with the platform itself are provided for all participating libraries. The State Library is pleased to have the opportunity to provide this resource for libraries and library users. Arkansas is Auto-Graphics’ 15th state to use the platform for its statewide system.

The overall vision is to expose multiple libraries’ catalogs and collections to library users in Arkansas. This will make it possible for library users of different library types and from all geographic areas within the state to discover items and potentially request them with or without the assistance of their library depending on the preferences of individual participating libraries.

Policies, processes, and workflows for resource sharing logistics are up to the participating libraries to determine locally. Some libraries may opt to participate simply by allowing others to see what materials they hold and may not use it for interlibrary loans. Other libraries are invested in resource sharing amongst their localities and with other libraries around the state and will readily borrow from across the state for their patrons.

Check in with your local library to ask how they are participating and how you can access this resource.

For more information, contact Jessica Kirk, the statewide sharing and engagement librarian with the Arkansas State Library, at Jessica Kirk@ade.arkansas.gov.

2022 Mockingbird Participating Libraries include Arkansas River Valley Regional Library, Arkansas State Library, Arkansas State University (Beebe), Arkansas State University (Dean B. Ellis Library), Arkansas State University (Three Rivers,) Bella Vista Public Library, Bentonville Public Library, Calhoun County Library, CALS (Central Arkansas Library System), CAMALS (Carroll and Madison Regional Library System), Clark County Library, Columbia County Libraries, Crawford County Library System, Crossett Public Library, Crowley Ridge Regional Library, East Central Arkansas Regional Library (Cross County), East Central Arkansas Regional Library (Woodruff County), Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library System, Forrest City Public Library, Fort Smith Public Library, Garland County Library, Gravette Public Library, Hempstead County Public Library, Hendrix College (Bailey Library), Iva Jane Peek Public Library, Lawrence County Library, Lonoke County Library System, Lonoke County Library System (Cabot), Marion County Library, Mid-Arkansas Regional Library (Malvern-Hot Spring County), Mid-Arkansas Regional Library (Saline County), Newton County Library, North Little Rock Library System (Laman Library), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Corning Public Library), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Greene County), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Piggott), County Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Randolph County), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Rector Public Library), Pea Ridge Public Library, Pope County Library, Prescott/Nevada County Library, Public Library of Camden & Ouachita County, Southeast Arkansas Regional Library, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (Magale Library), Taylor Health Sciences Library (Arkansas College of Health Education), TriCounty Regional Library System (Ashdown), TriCounty Regional Library System (Howard), TriCounty Regional Library System (Sevier), Union County Public Library System, University of the Ozarks (Robson Library), and White County Libraries.

Carol Coffey is currently the President-Elect for ArLA, and currently the point of contact person for the 2022 ArLA Conference to be held in October in Fort Smith, AR.  Carol is the Patron Experience & Library Analytics Coordinator at the Central Arkansas Library System. In the 25 years since she made Arkansas her home, she has served in a number of public service and administrative positions at CALS, including Head of Reference Services and Director of Library Resources. In addition to her work at CALS, Carol has served at various times as Chair of the Digital Resources Round Table, the Scholarship Committee, and the Public Libraries and Trustees Division of ArLA, as well as Member-at-Large on the 2021 ArLA Executive Board. She writes a regular column on management issues for Arkansas Libraries and geeks out over all things library. When she’s not working, Carol loves to read history and British mysteries, garden, and travel.

Just wanted to let people know that the conference schedule is now out and can be found on the Annual Conference page or directly at https://arlib.org/resources/conference/2022/ArLA2022ConferenceSchedule.pdf.  Hope this helps.

Join us during the conference general sessions to hear keynote presentations from three great speakers who will inspire you and give you practical tools to use in your daily work.

President's Program/Opening General Session on Friday - Stony Evans

Saturday Morning General Session - Steve Hughes

Closing General Session on Sunday - Bailee Hutchinson

The latest issue of Arkansas Libraries is now on the ArLA Website. The direct link is https://arlib.org/resources/journal/SpringSummer2022/ArkansasLibrariesSpringSummer2022(ForWeb).pdf. From what Britt tells me, there is an extra bonus in there (compared to the print version). Anyway, enjoy!

Librarians have the ability to grow and shape those around them through the love of books. Is there a librarian in your life that goes above and beyond?

Help that special person, win $5,000 by nominating them for "I Love My Librarian" contest at the link below. *Deadline for submissions is September 30th.

https://ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian/

Do you know someone who is doing amazing work, accomplished a major project, or just all-around friendly and helpful here in the Arkansas Library community?  If so, please click here to nominate that co-worker, colleague, supervisor, or director here.  Once a month, a different person will be highlighted on the ArLA website and social media.

ARKLIB-L is an online mailing list for those interested in Arkansas Libraries and related topics. It is free and open to the public. It has also been used to disseminate information to ArLA Members. For more information and to sign up, go to http://mail.arlib.org/mailman/listinfo/arklib-l_arlib.org. You can also use that page for maintaining your subscription.