Communities of Interest (COIs) are groups of Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) members who choose to organize around a type of library, type of activity, a special interest, or geographic area in order to further the mission of the ArLA. These groups are subject to ArLA rules. COIs are a benefit of membership and all voting ArLA members may join and participate in as many COIs as they choose. All internal workings of the COI are at the discretion of the members. They decide how to select chair(s), govern themselves, etc. The only ongoing requirement of an ArLA Community of Interest is to submit an annual report and a current contact person. A group must have at least fifteen (15) ArLA members to form a COI. Bylaws are optional at the discretion of the group (a sample bylaws template will be provided on the ArLA website to assist COIs should they want to govern with bylaws). The contact person from each COI will attend board meetings as liaisons between the governing body and interest groups. Petitions to form COIs are to be emailed to arlaexecbd@arlib.org, and will be reviewed by the ArLA Executive Board for approval. forms:
Who do I contact to join a Communities of Interest?
Arkansas Library Paraprofessionals (ALPS)
Contact: Stewart Fuell, Chair
sfuell@cals.orgCollege and University Librarians of Arkansas (CULAR)
Contact: Brent Etzel, Chair
betzel@atu.eduCommunity of School Librarians And Library Educators (COSLLE)
Contact: Quanta Wyatt
Quantawyatt@yahoo.comMaking Arkansas Libraries Accessible (MArLA)
Contact: Jessica Riedmueller, Chair
jriedmueller@uca.eduMember Involvement
Contact: Becky Fischer
beckyf@salinecountylibrary.orgMental and Emotional Lives of Library Workers (MELLW)
Kathleen Ashmore, Chair
kashmore@lonokecountylibrary.orgPublic Libraries & Trustees
Contact: Joe Hudak
jhudak@cals.orgReference & Instruction Services (RISci)
Contact: Shawna Thorup, Chair
sthorup@nwacc.eduSocial Media & Marketing
Contact: Susie Kirk, Chair
kirks@hsu.eduTwo Year Colleges Community of Interest (TYCci)
Tina Bradley, Chair
tbradley@asumh.eduYouth Services
Ruth Hyatt, Chair
ruth.hyatt@ade.arkansas.govCommunities of Interest Forms:
Petition to Form (interactive)
Bylaws Template (example only)
Funding Request