A Statement by the MLA Board of Directors in Response to Recent Government Policies that Threaten Our Fundamental Beliefs and Principles.
The Medical Library Association (MLA) and its Board of Directors express their concern with regard to recent United States government policies or statements. MLA President Teresa L. Knott, AHIP, states: “Our members know from experience that open and public access to information facilitates scientific collaboration, provides researchers with easier access to scientific research and data, strengthens biomedical research, and leads to better patient care. Patients who have access to necessary health information are empowered to play an active role in their health care and realize better health outcomes. The free movement of scientists worldwide contributes to a diverse and inclusive research environment in the best interest of all.”
MLA’s core values are the heart and soul of our association and provide meaning to our endeavors. They include:
- Reliance on scientific evidence to make health care decisions and support public health;
- Promotion of open science, open access to information, integrity, transparency, and reproducibility in scientific research;
- Global public awareness of and access to high-quality health information, especially for underserved communities;
- Lifelong learning and professional development;
- Advancement of peer-reviewed health information research and evidence-based practice;
- Global community engagement and collaboration within and outside our profession;
- Adherence to high ethical standards; and
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion to strengthen our communities internally and externally.
We embrace these professional values to ensure that our members continue to thrive in an environment and society that empowers them to:
- Work without prejudice to meet our clients’ information needs;
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of our clients;
- Ensure access to timely, high-quality, relevant information; and
- Travel to participate in global opportunities for the presentation and discourse of scientific papers and sessions, education, and collaboration.
For all these reasons, MLA remains staunch in its commitment to hold fast to these values, the cornerstone of the profession. We commend and support our United States and international members’ efforts to work passionately for access to vital health and biosciences information resources to support the needs of health professionals and the public worldwide.