SILS alum Jim Curry (MSLS ‘18) received the Rising Star of the Year Award from the Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) during the organization’s annual conference in October. This award recognizes a library worker with fewer than 5 years of experience who provides exceptional service to their community.

Curry serves as a Youth and Teen Librarian at the Fayetteville Public Library in Arkansas, where he supports programming and library facilitation for local youths.

“The teachings and support of UNC SILS staff, cohort, and mentor librarians remain with me through my years in the professional field,” Curry said. “They engrained in me an ever-adapting lens of compassionate, diverse, equitable, and inclusive service for the youth, families, and peoples of Northwest Arkansas. I am proud to accept this award as a SILS alumnus.”

ArLA has supported Arkansas’ academic, public, school, and special libraries for more than 100 years. In that time, the association has had many successes. Including establishing a state library commission, beginning an association publication, establishing salary guidelines, supporting the continuing education of librarians, and protecting intellectual freedom. Learn more about ArLA here: https://arlib.org

---