Kate Laughlin
Association of Rural & Small Libraries
Albuquerque, NM USA
"Anytime I start to feel a little concerned about the future of libraries, I need only look to who's coming up behind us—and we’re doing just fine."
Career Roadmap
Kate's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Entrepreneurship, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Undergraduate
Bowling Green State University
Certification
Prepare Training - Crisis Intervention
Crisis Prevention Institute
Certification
Certified Synchronous Facilitator, Online Training and Facilitation
In Sync Training
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Growing up, my family moved every year or two—I always found stability and familiarity in the local library after each move.
2.
After working in bookselling and publishing, and starting a family, I took a chance on an entry-level job at the library.
3.
I started as a library associate, learning the foundations of library service and how libraries support people through everyday challenges.
4.
By learning from mentors, asking questions, and saying yes to new opportunities, I quickly advanced into leadership roles.
5.
As my work increasingly focused on supporting libraries beyond a single system, I became a consultant helping libraries navigate challenges and growth.
6.
I founded Primary Source, a consulting agency built by library professionals to help libraries solve problems with people who understand the field.
7.
In 2020, I became the first executive director of the Association for Rural & Small Libraries, where I advocate for intellectual freedom, strong communities, and the future of libraries nationwide.
