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

Correction to FOCUS: "Speed UpDating Open Forum" Contact Information
The email address listed in the January 22 FOCUS as the contact for "Speed UpDating Open Forum" topics was incorrect. The correct email address is npc.updating@gmail.com. The "Speed UpDating Open Forum" will be held on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:30 a.m. Participants will have 5 minutes to share a late-breaking idea or cool tip. The National Program Committee will accept ideas until the first 12 have been received. The participants will be named in the April MLA News.

Free Online CE Course for MLA Members
The Social Networking Software Task Force invites MLA members to participate in the free online course “Dig Deeper with Social Media: Short Courses on Emerging Online Tools.” Members can pick and choose the topics of interest to them. A module on Media Sharing is available through January 25, 2009. Visit the course website for more information or to participate >>

MLA President-Elect's Draft Priorities for Next Year: Please Comment
President-elect Connie Schardt, AHIP, has posted a draft of her priorities for the next year. She would like to give you, the MLA membership, a chance to comment on them before the MLA Board approves them at their February meeting. Are these good ideas or bad ideas? Will they help you in your career development or in your job? Read and comment. on the MLA Connections blog! >>

MLA '09 Online Registration Now Open !
Registration is open for MLA '09, "iFusions," May 15-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii! Online registration is fast and easy. Use either your MLA membership ID number or your email address to register. The MLA '09 Preliminary Program will be mailed in January 2009. Register and start planning today for MLA '09! >>

January MLA News Online
The January issue of the MLA News includes highlights of the September board meeting, "Why Should You Care About the National Institutes of Health Public Access Policy?", a librarian's experience on a medical mission in the Consumer Health Column, and sneak peeks of offerings at 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 >>