MLA President 2005/06

Mary Joan (M.J.) Tooey, AHIP Director, Health Sciences and Human Services Library, University of Maryland–Baltimore, 2004–

Transforming Ourselves, Our Profession, Our Association

Transformation: The word conjures images of change. It could refer to external or physical change or changes in inner nature. It is about moving from one place, however comfortable that might be, to another place that promises to be better.

As health information professionals, we are challenged daily to learn new skills, use our expertise in new roles, search the world for information, and deliver this information in new ways. Our profession has changed dramatically and is continuing to change. We are called on to be active participants in this change, not passive observers. There are new names for what we do. There are new collaborations with health care teams and with the community. There is an urgency to recruit and retain the best, brightest, and most passionate to our profession.

Finally, we are the Medical Library Association. It is our responsibility to continuously transform MLA, so that it will always be the preeminent association for health information professionals, meeting and supporting our professional needs through a common mission and values, advocacy, and lifelong growth and learning.

Transforming Ourselves: The First Step Is Supporting Our Own Personal and Professional Growth

• Offer, revise, and grow educational opportunities that provide strong foundations and new perspectives to meet diverse member needs.
• Engage MLA members in ongoing discussions about what is essential to support the work they are doing.
• Exploit meaningful opportunities for networking, communicating, and learning through national, regional, and local meetings.

Transforming Our Profession: We Have a Compelling and an Exciting Profession with Incredible Opportunities

• Explore new professional roles, and inform members of opportunities and strategies through programming and practical experiences.
• Recruit and nurture new members as they enter the profession; support current members as they move through their careers; honor experienced members for their expertise, loyalty, and passion; and link all members together to create opportunities for professional change.
• Develop promotional resources that “tell our story” for all audiences, from middle school through library school through second-career professionals.

Transforming Our Association: MLA’s Survival and Relevance Depend on Agility and Responsiveness

• Refresh, redesign, and renew MLANET to become a true information, education, and communication portal for MLA.
• Complete initiatives redefining and updating our education and research agendas, seeking opportunities to advance meaningful research aimed at finding best practices and transformational services in the health information professions.
• Find additional opportunities for member involvement at all levels of the organization.
• Actively seek partnerships with other professional associations, national organizations, and others to develop innovative programs, select best association practices, and advance the profession.
• Identify strategic national and international issues of importance to members as a foundation for MLA’s advocacy program.
• Become the association of choice for health information professionals through quality programming, innovative services, and professional integrity.