Welcome to the Arkansas Library Association Website

Promoting library service and the profession of librarianship in the State of Arkansas since 1911.

Our Mission

To further the professional development of all library staff members; to foster communication and cooperation among librarians, trustees and friends of libraries; to increase the visibility of libraries among the general public and funding agencies; to serve as an advocate for librarians and libraries.

Message From The President

The Arkansas Library Association is rapidly closing in on 100 years of service to Arkansas libraries.  In that time, we have witnessed tremendous growth and change in the way we provide resources to our patrons and our communities.  With the national emphasis on “change,” as always, libraries stand ready, willing, and able to answer the call to service.

Through it all, ArLA continues to work hard to provide support to our members as we work to achieve the goals of our mission statement as listed above.  Each of you is a vital part of our organization’s success in those efforts.

If you are not a member, consider joining this year.  If you want to become more involved, consider participation in one of the committees, divisions, or roundtables in your area of interest.  Membership in the Arkansas Library Association affords countless opportunities for education, participation, and growth.

Don’t delay – join today.  I look forward to working with you this year.

                                                          -Jerrie Townsend

Affiliations

The Arkansas Library Association is a chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Southeastern Library Association (SELA). It is represented in ALA and SELA by a councilor who is elected by the members of the Arkansas Library Association.

ArLA Diversity Statement

Diversity is a fundamental value of the Association and its members, and is reflected in its commitment to recruiting minorities and people with disabilities to the profession and to the promotion and development of library collections and services for all people. The Association endorses opportunities for the professional development and education of all library staff members and trustees; it promotes continuous, lifelong learning for all people through library and information services of every type. The Association advocates funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, serving people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability, and providing the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work.

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