A Legacy of Leadership: The Janet Doe Lecture at MLA ’26

Submitted by: Emily J. Glenn

Introducing Janet Doe Lecturer Shannon D. Jones, AHIP, FMLA

For nearly six decades, the Janet Doe Lecture has stood as one of the Medical Library Association’s most enduring and prestigious traditions. Established in 1966 to honor Janet Doe—past MLA president, pioneering historical scholar, and former librarian of the New York Academy of Medicine—the lecture was envisioned as a space for deep reflection on the history, philosophy, and future of medical librarianship. Over time, it has become a defining moment of each MLA Annual Meeting, inviting the profession to pause, reflect, and reimagine its path forward.

The Janet Doe Lecture is distinct in both purpose and tone. Unlike sessions focused on skills or practice, Doe lectures challenge attendees to consider the profession’s values, ethical commitments, and evolving responsibilities. Past lecturers have examined issues ranging from technological transformation and professional identity to equity, leadership, and the role of libraries in addressing misinformation and health inequities. Collectively, these lectures form a living archive of the profession’s intellectual and moral development.

One of the most frequently cited examples of the lecture’s lasting impact is Erich Meyerhoff’s 1977 address, later described as both prescient and enduring for its insights into the future of hospital librarianship and the central role of women in MLA. Retrospectives published decades later affirm that the core questions raised in Doe lectures continue to resonate, underscoring the lecture’s role as both historical record and forward‑looking guide.

At MLA ’26, the Janet Doe Lecture continues this tradition of thoughtful leadership with a presenter whose career embodies service, scholarship, and a deep commitment to the well‑being of the profession: Shannon D. Jones, EdD, MLS, MEd, AHIP, FMLA, past president of the Medical Library Association.

Shannon D. Jones is widely recognized as a transformative leader within MLA and the broader health information community. She currently serves as Director of Libraries and Chair of Academic Affairs Faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina and as Director of Region 2 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Her career has been marked by a sustained focus on leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, and the holistic well‑being of information professionals.

During her term as MLA President (2022–2023), Jones launched the Be Well MLA initiative, placing wellness and sustainability at the center of association leadership. She also co‑founded the MLA Reads Virtual Book Discussion Club, creating space for critical dialogue around social justice, equity, and professional responsibility. Her scholarship and editorial work—including co‑editing Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries: A Call to Action and Strategies for Success—reflect a career devoted to aligning professional values with meaningful action.

Jones’s connection to the Janet Doe Lecture is also scholarly. She is a co‑author of recent reflective work examining the evolution of the profession through the lens of Janet Doe Lectures over the past 25 years, positioning her uniquely to engage with the lecture’s history while extending its conversation into the present moment.

In keeping with the spirit of the Janet Doe Lecture, Jones’s address at MLA ’26 promises not only to honor the profession’s past but to thoughtfully interrogate its present and future. Her perspective—shaped by leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to belonging—aligns closely with the lecture’s original purpose: to spark dialogue, challenge assumptions, and inspire action grounded in shared values.

As MLA ’26 convenes under the theme of collaboration and connection, the Janet Doe Lecture remains a powerful reminder that progress in medical librarianship is rooted in reflection as much as innovation. With Shannon D. Jones at the podium, this year’s lecture continues a legacy that invites the profession to learn from its history while courageously shaping what comes next.