(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

BELPRE – Cayde Copeland, branch manager of the Belpre Public Library, has completed a rigorous and competitive 18-month leadership program with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. The graduation ceremony on Nov. 14, featured remarks from program leaders, mentors, ARSL Board leadership, and special guests including Dr. Kawanna Bright and Shamichael Hallman who offered words of encouragement to the graduates.

Copeland was chosen as one of only 30 library professionals from across the United States and Canada who engaged in a fully funded residential, online, and conference experience designed to deepen their understanding of and commitment to professional values while they gained practical leadership skills.

Key priorities for this institute were to develop strong rural and small library leaders, give them tools to strengthen the communities they serve, and empower them to add their voices to national conversations about libraries. As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of small and rural libraries and is committed to providing an environment that encourages excellence within this community of practice, supporting their goals of service and speaking on behalf of this important constituency.

Copeland’s presentation at the 2025 ARSL conference in Albuquerque, N.M., centered around training front line service staff in the legal aspects of animals in the library including proper protocol surrounding service animals and the options for animal assisted programming such as canine reading partners. Copeland intends to build upon this leadership journey with ARSL as a member of the 2026 Grants, Awards and Scholarships Committee and a facilitator for a professional networking group with the organization.

This program was funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Science.