ArLA Annual Scholarship Applications Open!

24 Jun 2022

The Arkansas Library Association invites applications for its annual scholarship for graduate study in librarianship. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Applicant must hold or be completing work toward a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must not currently hold a master’s degree in library science.

• Applicant must be currently accepted and enrolled in a program leading to a master’s degree in library science. An official transcript of coursework toward the master’s degree shall be submitted

as proof. Applicants who have enrolled but not yet begun coursework shall submit proof of acceptance and enrollment in a program leading to a master’s degree in library science.

• Applicant may be currently employed in a library in Arkansas provided all other conditions are met.

The Arkansas Library Association will select one scholarship recipient each year from a pool of eligible applicants. Criteria for selection include 1) applicant’s interest in librarianship as a profession, 2) academic record, 3) compliance with application requirements. Awards are made without regard to race, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic background.

Recipients of the scholarship must meet the following requirements:

• Within one year of completing their graduate program, accept or maintain professional employment in a library or in a library-related position in Arkansas.

• After accepting or maintaining such employment, continue to work in a library or library-related

position in Arkansas for at least one year.

• Maintain membership in the Arkansas Library Association during the one year of required employment in a library or library-related position in Arkansas.

• Upon graduation, provide to the Arkansas Library Association an official transcript showing the completion of their prescribed course of graduate studies and an official letter from their workplace verifying employment in a library or library-related position in Arkansas.

• Sign a promissory note agreeing to repay the Arkansas Library Association the full amount of the scholarship award should any of the above conditions be unmet.

NOTE: The Scholarship Committee of the Arkansas Library Association reserves the right to make no award.

To apply for the annual scholarship, applicants should submit the following items before September 1:

• Completed ArLA Scholarship application form (available on this website, as is a printable version of the policy, which includes all the details listed above)

• Letter of application from the applicant

• Resume

• Official transcript if applicant has already begun graduate studies OR proof of acceptance and enrollment in a graduate program of library science if applicant is just beginning graduate studies.

• Three letters of reference from individuals qualified to address the academic and professional potential of the candidate.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

ArLA Scholarship applications should be mailed or emailed to:

Arkansas Library Association

P.O. Box 3821

Little Rock AR 72203

Email: info@arlib.org

For more information, contact Chance Griebel, Scholarship Committee Chair at chance.griebel@lamanlibrary.org.

Changing Faces at Cross County Library (Wynne, AR)

13 Jun 2022

Regional Librarian Rev. John Paul Myrick recently announced personnel changes in the management of the Cross County Library. Asti Ogletree, known by area children as “Miss Tree”, the Operations Manager for the Cross County Library for many years, has recently announced her resignation. She will be moving out-of-state with her family and husband, who is taking a promotion with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Ogletree, who earned her Graduate Certificate in Children’s Literature in 2017 and her Masters in Library and Information Science in 2019 from the University of Southern Mississippi 2018 plans to continue her career in librarianship. Ogletree was first hired by the East Central Arkansas Regional Library (ECARL) as Youth Coordinator at the Cross County location in 2015, handling all children’s programs. Upon the departure of Claire Miller, who left the Library to take a position in near her family in Missouri in 2017, Ogletree was promoted to County Operations Manager over the public libraries in Cross County. “We’re going to miss Asti terribly.” said Myrick. “Asti is like family, and she has taken this position, and raised its visibility in the community while implementing many new fantastic services and programs here at the library. When I promoted her I knew she would be great. I had no idea how great she actually would be.” Despite having some “big shoes” to fill, Myrick and the Library was lucky to find some “big feet” to go in them. After advertising the search among library associations and library and information science schools across several states, Mr. William C. “Stony” Evans of Bismarck, Arkansas has been selected as Ogletree’s replacement. Evans holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Ouachita State University, a Master’s in Music Education and a Masters of Library and Information Technologies (School Media/Librarianship) from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Master’s of Science in Library Science from the College of Information at the University of North Texas. He is retired from years of service as a high school band director and school media specialist in Arkansas, having last served with the Bryant School District. Evans is well known within the Library profession, particularly in School Librarianship. In addition to having published four articles or book chapters in professional publications he has also presented on issues relating to librarianship and technology at many educational and library science conferences around the country. These include multiple presentations for the Arkansas Association of School Librarians and the national Computers in Libraries Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2017. He is recognized nationally as a specialist in technology in libraries, and publishes the Library Media Tech Talk Blog which has a national following online. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Evans is a Warrant Officer 1 in the Arkansas Army National Guard, and is the Unit Commander of the 106th United States Army Band, headquartered at Camp Robinson. The 106th includes the main concert band, a Brass Quintet, and a Jazz Combo in which Evans plays the saxophone. Despite his experience and recognition in libraries, this will be Evans’ first public library post. Mr. Evans and his wife Cindy, also a retired teacher and school media specialist, are members of the Baptist faith, and will be moving to Cross County soon. Evans will work together will Ogletree in the coming weeks, attend his annual National Guard summer drill, complete the move to Wynne, and begin full-time in mid-July.

“In the current employment environment, it is hard to find anyone.” said Myrick. We’re exceptionally lucky that we found someone with Stony’s incredible credentials willing to come to our community. It speaks well of both Cross County and for ECARL. That combo has allowed us to attract some great talent through the years. We’re looking forward to Stony joining us, and building on and greatly expanding to the great program of service left by Asti for the Library and for the county’s citizens. Stony is talented, knows our existing technological systems, has heavy experience working with children, and understands where the Library Board wants to take the library. He will be a great asset, and will help us get there.

ArLA June Member Spotlight: Tiffany Fowler

13 Jun 2022

Congratulations to Tiffany Fowler, ArLA’s June's Member Spotlight!  Other benefits that Tiffany's involvement in ArLA are, "I am able to draw knowledge and collaborate with tenured library staff from all over the state to benefit my job, as well as the region of libraries that I work for. These both go forward to benefit residents in the state of Arkansas through literacy, education, and connectivity services."

Here is what her nominator, Misty Hawkins wrote: "Although new in her position, Tiffany always goes above and beyond to serve Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Yell Counties. As the Systems Administrator, much of the technology responsibilities and necessary upgrades lie on her shoulders. Tiffany takes her role seriously and also has a willingness to fill in the gaps wherever needed. It comes as no surprise, that the past two years have been very difficult but I believe our library branches, the system as a whole, and communities benefited greatly because of the work that Tiffany did behind the scenes. From implementing our new myARVRLS app to developing mobile circulation to ensuring digital microfilm is correctly placed on our website, her hard work continues to impact our libraries. Realistically, I could give numerous examples of teamwork, positive attitude, and unfailing dedication to libraries but I'll end with one. Tiffany is a wife, mother, full-time employee but still finds time to continue her education and above her desk, she has a list of goals, and completing her Master's in Information Technology is atop the list. She is truly an inspiration but more so, one of the most valuable members of our team."

Saline County Library Chosen For A 2022 PR Xchange Award!

2 Jun 2022

The Saline County Library has been chosen as one of 24 electronic winners of the 2022 PR Xchange award! Over 195 entries in print and electronic formats were submitted from over 100 public, academic, school, state, and special libraries. Entries were evaluated by a jury of 20 virtual judges. Submissions were assessed based on the quality of content, format, design, creativity, and originality. The jury, which included a group of talented marketing professionals, graphic designers, librarians, and visual artists were very impressed by the innovative work submitted by these libraries. Winning entries will be on display at the PR Xchange Event at the ALA Annual Conference on June 26, 2022 in Washington D.C. 

The PR Xchange Event is a drop-in style program held in the Exhibit Hall on the Sunday of ALA from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. It’s an exciting event in which libraries from across the country share their libraries’ promotional materials (i.e. swag, etc.). Conference participants are invited to view and take free copies of award-winning PR materials from the juried PR Xchange Awards, as well as promotional materials from libraries across North America. Participants have the opportunity to view creative library videos, newsletters, posters, and other promotional materials, and learn how to improve their own materials by talking with John Cotton Dana Award Winners, PR Xchange Award winners, and other Library Marketing and PR authors and experts.

The Saline County's winning submission was the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan designed by Jordan Reynolds, Marketing Coordinator; reviewed by Kari Lapp, Community Engagement Manager; and put together by the Saline County Library's Strategic Planning Committee, consisting of Patty Hector, Director; Leigh Espey, Library Manager; Rebecca Kidder, Branch Manager; Rachel Wallace, Assistant Branch Manager; Julie Syler, Systems Administrator; Sarah Beth Lesko, former Youth Services Manager along with Jordan Reynolds and Kari Lapp. This plan and its design are the culmination of nine months of hard work to create a plan to further serve the community of Saline County.