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 Board Seeks Strategic Plan Comments 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. The comment period will end on November 7, 2008. Visit MLA Connections today to register and read more >>

October MLA News Online
The October issue of MLA News is now online. This issue features opportunities to get involved in MLA News and JMLA, Internet resources on medical tourism, information on securing public access computers in the Technology column, and a member spotlight on David Sweet.

Hay Group/MLA 2008 Salary Survey Now Underway
Invitations to participate in this important survey have been sent directly from the Hay Group to all MLA member email addresses on file. If you did not receive your survey link, or are a nonmember health sciences librarian and wish to participate, please request access and provide your email address directly to the Hay Group. Deadline to participate is October 24, 2008.

MLA Fall Webcast
MLA's "Survival Tips and Stories: Expanding the Library's Services in Times of Disaster" webcast is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., central time. The goal of this program is to provide a basic understanding of disaster planning and service continuity, assess the effect of disaster on health sciences library services, and provide a basic template for disaster planning. Registration is open to individuals and sites. Read more and register >>

JMLA Readership Survey Now Online
The JMLA Evaluation ad hoc Committee, JMLA editor, and headquarters staff request your feedback on your use of the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) and your opinion about its quality and usefulness. Your responses will help us improve the publication and determine future priorities for the JMLA. Take the survey now >>

Add MLA to Your Resume by Serving on a Committee
Committees are involved in the work of the association, and the first step to serving is to apply! Apply online for a committee appointment for the 2009/10 association year or learn more about MLA committees and charges. You will need your MLANET username/ID and password to enter this members-only section of MLANET. Applications are due October 31, 2008, and appointments will be made by President-Elect Connie Schardt, AHIP, beginning in February 2009.

Benefits Spotlight: CORE Toolbox
Posters from MLA '07 that were given to MLA are now accessible in the Center of Research and Education (CORE) Toolbox. CORE provides access to a collection of tools that can be used to continually learn, teach, and sharpen professional skills. The CORE Toolbox is accessible through the Member Center on MLANET. Once in CORE, you can browse by subject or search for keywords. Search the Toolbox >>

MLA Announces Slate for the 2009/10 Election
Margaret Bandy, AHIP, Library and Media Services, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, and Ruth Holst, AHIP, FMLA, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region, Library of the Health Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago, are candidates for MLA president-elect. All MLA members with email addresses on file will receive ballots electronically in the election to be held November 5–December 10, 2008. Paper ballots will be mailed to members without email addresses on file. Read more election information and view a complete list of candidates >>

MLA '09 Preliminary Information Available
Preliminary travel, hotel, and registration information, plus an at-a-glance schedule, and paper and poster FAQs are now available on MLANET. Start planning today for MLA '09 >>

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 >>