Hi - my name is Chrystie and I'm the Community Manager for WJ. I am really excited to see this project taking form - all of you introducing yourselves and gearing up for the first Institute. It's an exciting time for rural libraries, lots of challenges, but lots of opportunities. What an honor that you'll all be together in the same room talking things through...I only wish I could be there too!

Since I won't get the chance to meet many of you in person, I'll be following along with the project online. I'm excited to learn more from all of you about what's happening in rural libraries - and how we can get together more often to make our work a bit easier ... and then hopefully also serve communities a bit more.
To help kick things off (though Jim & Michelle have done such a fine job already!) I wonder if you all would join me in an easy exercise. If you're inclined - post here a single word that describes something unique or special about your state's rural libraries' role in their community. Just a single word will do. I'll get us started...maybe something like:
Indispensable