Support Qualified Librarians for a Stronger Arkansas
Without trained leadership, communities risk losing access to vital resources, facing financial mismanagement, and ultimately harming the very people libraries are meant to serve.
SB 181 hopes to remove the professional qualifications for library directors in Arkansas.
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This action could have major implications on federal and private grants—such as those from IMLS, the National Endowment for the Humanities, or the Laura Bush Foundation.
These grants require applicants to be qualified librarians.
Send an email to your state reps to ask them to vote no on this bill.
These grants are highly competitive, and without an MLS or MLIS from an accredited program, there is little chance of success. Librarians are trained not just in managing collections, but in handling large-scale budgets, overseeing facility renovations, implementing cutting-edge technology, and navigating complex legal and governance structures.
Federal grants are not just about writing a compelling application; they require deep knowledge of grant structures, financial management, and nonprofit administration. This is why the field demands rigorous education and experience.
Just as a law degree ensures a lawyer can practice competently, a library science degree ensures that those entrusted with public funds, resources, and infrastructure are equipped to manage them effectively.
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The ongoing situation in Crawford County is a clear example of what happens when librarians are prevented from doing their jobs. Libraries are about more than books—they are community hubs that require skilled professionals to thrive.
Without trained leadership, communities risk losing access to vital resources, facing financial mismanagement, and ultimately harming the very people libraries are meant to serve.
Arkansas deserves the best. Our communities need highly qualified professionals leading our libraries, just as we expect the best from those in law, medicine, and public administration.
If you believe in strong, well-managed libraries that serve everyone effectively, stand with us in advocating for the expertise and leadership that professional librarians bring to our state.
Let’s ensure Arkansas libraries continue to be pillars of education, innovation, and community support.