With a population just shy of 3,500, the west-central Minnesota town of Benson faces a challenge familiar to many rural communities of its type: outside of school-sponsored extracurriculars, local youth have few recreational or social outlets. Benson Public Library has tried to step into that void.

United for Libraries Virtual 2026 is fast approaching. United is the umbrella division of the American Library Association devoted to Friends, foundations and trustees. Mirroring its member base, this online conference spans three days and dedicates one day of programming to each group.