MLA Structure
The Medical Library Association is a professional organization of individuals and institutions in the field of health sciences librarianship. The purposes of the Association include: fostering the professional growth of its members; setting standards of professional practice; promoting quality services; and providing leadership in solving problems of health information delivery.
The activities of the Association fall into broad program areas that derive from its mission and are continuously reviewed by the Board in its planning role. All of the Association’s many components – general membership, sections and chapters, committees-standing and ad hoc. Board liaisons, Chapter and Section Councils, elected officers (including the President, President-elect, immediate Past and President Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Headquarters program staff) – contribute in some way to the total program activity.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP (The needs of the membership define Association goals): Members provide input on all issues and are elected or appointed to carry out a variety of specific functions.
SECTION AND CHAPTERS: Sections and Chapters provide input through the Chapter and Section Council to the Board.
COMMITTEES-STANDING AND AD HOC: Committees assist with a wide variety of program functions and carry out much of the business of the Association.
BOARD LIAISONS: Serve as a link between the Board, Headquarters Program Staff, and Committees.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board is the planning and policy-making body of the Association. Reviews program plans and activities in light of overall Association goals.
PRESIDENT: Directs the planning and policy-making for the Association.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Chief Executive and operations officer for the Association.
MLA PROGRAM STAFF: In concert with Board Liaisons and Committees provide leadership and coordination for Association programs and activities within his/her program area, to carry out the program’s goals and objectives.
MLA HEADQUARTERS: Coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Association to see that member’s needs are met and Association goals are achieved.
1.1 Mission
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.
Founded in 1898, MLA is a nonprofit, educational organization of more than 1,100 institutions and 3,600 individual members in the health sciences information field, committed to educating health information professionals, supporting health information research, promoting access to the world’s health sciences information, and working to ensure that the best health information is available to all.
1.2 Bylaws
Article II. Objectives
This Association shall be organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes, and shall be dedicated to the support of health sciences research, education, and patient care. To accomplish these ends, this Association shall be committed to fostering the art and science of health sciences library service, and to promoting cooperation and communication among its members.