Medical Library Association
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The Medical Library Association was founded in 1898 as the Association of Medical Librarians and changed its name to Medical Library Association in 1907. The MLA has members in several countries but it primarily represents health sciences libraries and librarians in the United States. Its headquarters are in Chicago. Two of the eight founding members were William Osler and Margaret Ridley Charlton.
[edit] About MLA
Founded on May 2, 1898, by four librarians and four physicians, the Medical Library Association (MLA) is the second oldest special library association in the United States. The Association of Medical Librarians (as it was known until 1907) was founded “to encourage the improvement and increase of public medical libraries.” Nearly a century later, MLA has grown to a professional organization of more than 1,200 institutions and 3,800 professionals in the health information field. We continue to assist librarians with the exchange of health sciences books and periodicals (the MLA Exchange is one of the founders’ earliest and most important projects) and to develop a variety of programs to serve the needs of health information specialists. MLA is dedicated to improving excellence and leadership of the health information professional to foster the art and science of health information services. We further the professional development of our members through career information resources, meetings, publications, courses, awards, scholarships, and various support services. Corporate partners (part of our “Shaping Our Future” campaign) forge new links between MLA and providers of products and services to the medical and health information profession. The association also serves as an advocate for the profession and for all health sciences libraries and librarians. (For more information, see MLA History and MLA Milestones.)
The Medical Library Association (MLA) celebrated its centennial in 1998. Over the past century, members of MLA have served society by improving health through the provision of information. Members are partners on the health care team, playing a vital role in the delivery of health care, in the conduct of medical research, and in the education of health professionals. Members have also been instrumental in getting high-quality health information to the general public.
Health sciences librarians are leaders in the application and promotion of technology for the dissemination of information and the development of knowledge. Pioneers in the use of data processing, online interactive searching, electronic mail, Internet access, and high-performance computing and communications, they are currently using their own expertise to enhance access to health-related information on the World Wide Web.
Health sciences librarians are your health information connection and believe that better health information leads to better health care decisions. They train tomorrow's health care providers to use technology to manage information effectively, as part of the decision-making process. To support the efforts of health care professionals to be lifelong learners requires that the Medical Library Association be committed to improving the knowledge and skills of its members. The association has been a leader in providing continuing education and credentialing to its members as well as a model for other professional groups.
In addition to supporting medical research, health sciences librarians conduct information research on a variety of topics, most notably the information-seeking behaviors of health professionals and the impact of health sciences libraries on the quality of patient care. Recognizing a global community, MLA members in forty-three countries around the world support the information needs of both health professionals and consumers. Health sciences librarians have been responsive to the social issues of the times, from supplying European libraries with materials after the devastation of World War II to contributing technical expertise to the fight against AIDS. The Medical Library Association promotes a legislative agenda that supports access to the world's health sciences information. landmark initiatives resulting from activity in the legislative arena include a strong national library with international programs, a national network of biomedical libraries for resource sharing, the development of integrated information management systems within and among institutions, and support for the development of knowledge and skills for information professionals. Coalitions and alliances with other organizations, agencies, and individuals who support the Medical Library Association's mission extend its resources and influence.
The Medical Library Association and its members are poised for further contributions in the next century as information and health care delivery are rapidly transformed.
[edit] Mission
The Medical Library Association (MLA) is organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes, and is dedicated to the support of health sciences research, education, and patient care.
MLA fosters excellence in the professional achievement and leadership of health sciences library and information professionals to enhance the quality of health care, education, and research.
[edit] Membership
Membership is for 12 months, beginning in January, and is structured to accommodate varying needs and professional status of a diverse field of practitioners. Categories include Regular Membership, Institutional Membership, International Membership, Affiliate Membership and Student Membership
[edit] Leadership and Organization
Find out about the leadership, committees and task forces that make MLA happen. The theme of the 2007-08 year is Only Connect! as represented on the President’s blog
[edit] Academy of Health Information Professionals
The Academy of Health Information Professionals is MLA's peer-reviewed professional development and career recognition program. The academy recognizes the personal investment of time and effort required for exemplary professional performance and for contributions to the association and to the profession. The academy provides a structure for individualized professional development for all health information professionals, no matter how long they've been in the field. Whether you are new to the profession or have been working in it for years, the academy has a membership level and professional development guidelines for you.
[edit] Advocacy and Policy
The Medical Library Association supports access to the world’s health sciences information to facilitate informed health care decisions. The Governmental Relations Committee and the Joint MLA/AAHSL Legislative Task Force both have responsibility for addressing national information issues and policies of importance to the health sciences library community. Legislative Updates are posted on the website,
[edit] Career Development
MLA is there for every stage of your career. MLA offers career services for health sciences information professionals, students attending library school programs, and those interested in learning more about a career as a medical librarian.
[edit] Chapters
Fourteen geographic groups are currently affiliated with MLA. These chapters provide a vital link to the programs and services of the association, and they are open to both MLA members and nonmembers.
[edit] Sections
Twenty-three special interest sections represent MLA’s members’ varied subfields and areas of specialization, including medical informatics and consumer and patient education. Sections meet at the annual meeting and share information during the year through networking and through section newsletters. We now have several informal special interest groups (SIGs), too.
[edit] Conferences and Meetings
Attendees at MLA’s annual meeting present and discuss scholarly papers, applied research, and issues in health sciences information management. Professionals with specific interests in the field, such as informatics, come together to address topics of timely importance. Educational sessions are complemented by an exhibit featuring more than 100 vendors of related products and services.
[edit] CORE
Vision: CORE will be the definitive source for high quality information and resources that meet the educational needs of health information professionals anywhere, anytime. Mission: CORE fosters excellence in the health information education activities of health sciences libraries, information professionals, other providers of health information, and students. CORE helps individual librarians achieve lifelong learning goals; helps libraries to be learning organizations for their staff and clientele; and helps promote effective collaboration among institutions and associations that want to part of the learning community. This community shares people's health information education expertise and talent, while preserving their unique perspectives; expands educational access to those who need it; and helps attract the best new recruits to our workplaces, helping them to be successful health information professionals.
[edit] Cunningham Fellowship
The Cunningham Fellowship is a fellowship for health sciences librarians from countries outside the United States and Canada. The award provides for attendance at the MLA Annual Meeting and observation and supervised work in one or more medical libraries in the United States and Canada.
[edit] Educational Offerings
MLA continually expands its wide variety of educational programs for practicing health sciences librarians, recent graduates, and others interested in information management.
[edit] Information and resources for health consumers
Quality information for improved health -- Health sciences librarians work in medical schools, hospitals, and other specialized health settings, and provide critical health information to doctors, nurses, and allied health personnel. Many health sciences librarians and libraries also provide consumer health information to patients, their families, and the general public.
[edit] Librarians without Borders
MLA believes that key elements in improved health for all peoples are the ability of each nation to strengthen and build health sciences information capacity through qualified health sciences librarians, implementation of supporting technological infrastructure, and access to quality information. MLA supports capacity building programs at the association, section, chapter, and individual member areas. MLA believes that building capacity will be most effective and long-lasting when partnerships are created with groups sharing similar goals, particularly partnerships with international agencies where shared goals intersect with available expertise and infrastructure.
[edit] More to Come
Milestones, MLA’s Code of Ethics, Organization, Position Statements, Publications, Professional Resources, Research, Toolbox.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
A history of MLA was published in 2000.
- Guardians of medical knowledge : the genesis of the Medical Library Association / Jennifer Connor. Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, 2000. ISBN 0-8108-3470-7
