Medical Library Association

The Medical Library Association (MLA) is a nonprofit, educational organization with more than 4,000 health sciences information professional members and partners worldwide. MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.

What's New

MLA Member Opinions Needed!
Provide your feedback on two important MLA surveys. The Scholarly Communications survey seeks input on member interests associated with open access and public access, especially as these relate to implementation of the NIH Public Access policy. The MLA '09 Five-minute survey asks a few questions to assist with MLA '09 planning. Connect to these and the results of past MLA surveys >>

Vote for Your MLA Leaders
The 2009/10 MLA election is now underway! Official candidate information for the 2009/10 election is available on MLANET. An abridged form of the candidate information also appears in the November/December 2008 MLA News.

Members with email addresses on file at MLA headquarters were sent an election email on November 6. The email voting process will run until 11:59 p.m., central time, on December 10, 2008. Paper ballots were sent to MLA members without email addresses. Those ballots must be mailed in the return envelope included in the mailing and postmarked by December 5, 2008. If you have any questions please contact Evelyn Shaevel at MLA headquarters.

More MLA '09 Information Available
For members' convenience ahead of official registration, an interim registration form is available. You will receive a confirmation of your registration in January. Please use this form only until December 31, 2008. A listing of MLA '09 continuing education courses and fees is also online. Start planning today for MLA '09 >>

MLA Board Seeks Comments on Strategic Plan Goals via MLA Connections Blog
The MLA Board reviews the association's strategic plan regularly, revising it to keep up with changes in the profession and the health care environment. This year, MLA members can join the discussion through the MLA Connections members' blog. We've heard from some members on the vision and core values statement; comment on recruitment and lifelong learning goals through November 28, 2008. Visit MLA Connections today to register and read more >>

November/December MLA News Online
The November/December issue of the MLA News offers information on candidates for MLA president-elect, board of directors, and Nominating Committee. Other features include case studies on getting a second degree in the Medical Library Education column, MLA '09 continuing education courses, and a legislative update report on funding and intellectual property and copyright issues.

MLA Fall Webcast Now Available On Demand!
If you missed MLA's "Survival Tips and Stories: Expanding the Library's Services in Times of Disaster," Individuals and sites can still register and view the program on demand until December 15, 2008. ! Read more and register >>

Plan for 2009 ICML, August 31-September 4, 2009
The International Congress of Medical Librarians (ICML), with the theme “Positioning the Profession,” will offer an array of research papers, user studies, and innovative solutions in Brisbane, Australia. Local and international presenters will include those working in health libraries, publishing, and information and communication technologies, as well as clinicians and academics. A number of continuing education activities and tours of the region will also be offered. Read more on the ICML website and submit an abstract >>