Communities of Practice

Definition

Alliance communities of practice are collaborative groups where members can delve into shared interests and learn from one another. Driven by community needs, these groups explore topics that align with the Alliance’s mission and vision. With regular activities and continuous engagement, communities provide a platform for ongoing learning and connection.

Current Alliance communities of practice are listed here.

Approval Criteria and Process

As groups that represent the needs of the community and receive Alliance operational support to help meet those needs, new communities of practice are approved by the Alliance Board.

Any Alliance community member (member library employee, Council member, Board member, or Alliance Central Staff member) may submit a proposal via email for a new community of practice to the Board Chair. Proposals will be reviewed within two Board meetings after initial receipt.

Community of practice proposals must include:

  • A statement of need*
  • A description of planned activities and intended impacts
  • Criteria/process for making an annual determination as to whether the community of practice will continue in the following year
  • A description of any Alliance resources (beyond the standard level of support defined below) needed to support activities

Alliance-supported communities of practice are expected to adhere to the Alliance Code of Conduct. Individual communities of practice may expand on these expectations (e.g. in order to define norms specific to the topic/community), but may not lessen them. Any planned additions to community standards should be included in the proposal submitted to the Board.

  • (Optional) A rationale for community of practice membership

By default, all communities of practice will be expected to be open to any Alliance community member (member library employee, Council member, Board member, or Alliance Central Staff member). Restrictions on membership, along with rationales based on the intended outcomes of the community, should be described in the proposal submitted to the Board.

*In considering whether to approve a community of practice proposal, the Board will consult with the Executive Director and Central Staff in order to ensure the expressed community need is not already addressed within the Alliance program communities.

Standard Levels of Alliance Support

Communities of practice should be member-organized and led. To ensure continuity as member leadership changes, all Board-approved communities of practice will receive the following central support:

  • Description of community on Alliance website (required)
  • Dedicated Google Drive folder for community documentation (required)
  • Dedicated Google Groups email list (required)
  • Ability to request Alliance Zoom account-hosted meetings
  • Support for posting information about the community to the Alliance Announce list

As needed, and at the discretion of Alliance Central Staff, communities of practice may also receive:

  • Assistance facilitating Zoom meetings
  • Assistance with Zoom practice sessions for meeting hosts/presenters
  • Assistance with in-person meeting planning*, including:
    • Meeting time polling
    • Venue communications and procurement
    • Meeting registration forms
    • Catering arrangements
    • Nametag, agenda, and other meeting material printing
    • On-site support 

*Expenses for in-person meetings must be requested and approved by the Alliance Board prior to any planning for such events