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. The interactive petition to form will be automatically sent to the ArLA Executive Board. If using the PDF form, email it to president@arlib.org.
Who do I contact to join a Communities of Interest?
Arkansas Library Paraprofessionals (ALPS)
Contact: Amy DeVooght, Chair
devooght@hendrix.eduArkansas Queer Alliance for Libraries (AQuALib)
Contact: Allie Stevens, Chair
allie@calcolibrary.comCollege and University Librarians of Arkansas (CULAR)
Contact: Taylor Vanlandingham, Chair
tvanlandingham@jbu.eduCommunity of School Librarians And Library Educators (COSLLE)
Contact: Dr. Kevin Powell, Chair
kpowell@uca.eduLibrary Advocacy Community of Interest (LACI)
Contact: Gwen Dobbs
gdobbs@nwacc.eduMaking Arkansas Libraries Accessible (MArLA)
Contact: Jessica Riedmueller, Chair
jriedmueller@uca.eduMember Involvement
Contact: Becky Fischer
becky.fisher@ade.arkansas.govMental and Emotional Lives of Library Workers (MELLW)
Tammie Evans, Chair
tammie.evans@lamanlibrary.orgPublic Libraries & Trustees
Contact: Joe Hudak
jhudak@cals.orgReference & Instruction Services (RISci)
Contact: Shawna Thorup, Chair
sthorup@nwacc.eduSocial Media & Marketing
Contact: Mandy Bashaw, Chair
abashaw@libraryinjonesboro.orgTwo Year Colleges Community of Interest (TYCci)
Tina Bradley, Chair
tbradley@asumh.eduWMS CI
Contact: Britt Anne Murphy
johnsen@hendrix.comYouth Services
Ruth Hyatt, Chair
ruth.hyatt@ade.arkansas.govCommunities of Interest Forms
Petition to Form (interactive)
Bylaws Template (example only)
Funding Request