Helping small and rural libraries build local support.
LSN is developing a pilot program for libraries working with limited staff, smaller budgets, and deep community relationships.
The Lab will listen to small and rural library leaders, test practical fundraising approaches, and share what works with the wider field.
Help shape the Lab
Help shape this effort with your experience, insights and needs.
We're gathering input from library leaders to understand what small and rural libraries need to build and sustain local support — through fundraising, advocacy, or both.
This survey takes about 8 minutes. Your answers are confidential; we'll share themes in summary form only, and nothing will be attributed to you or your library without permission.
We are seeking input from small and rural library leaders, especially those with fundraising successes to share.
Start with real needs
Help LSN understand what fundraising support looks like in small and rural library settings.
Shape practical tools
Inform resources, examples, and learning that fit limited staff capacity and local context.
Build local support
Strengthen the base of champions, advocates, and partners every library needs.
Why the Lab matters
Small and rural libraries are trusted local institutions. They often serve as gathering places, information centers, and civic anchors, while working with limited staff, infrastructure, and fundraising capacity.
This Lab will help LSN understand what small and rural libraries need to build durable local support, then test practical approaches that can be adapted by other libraries.
We want to hear from you if you are:
- Leading a small or rural public library
- Building fundraising capacity with limited staff
- Just beginning to build local support
- Supporting small or rural libraries as a partner
About the pilot
We are designing this with small and rural libraries.
The Small and Rural Library Fundraising Lab is still taking shape. LSN is gathering input from library leaders to understand what kind of fundraising support, peer learning, and practical tools would be most useful.
What we learn will help shape a pilot cohort and future resources for small and rural libraries.
Help shape the pilot
Share your interest in the Library Fundraising Lab.
Sharing your interest does not commit you to participate. It helps LSN understand your library, your context, and how this work could be most useful.