The Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) is pleased to announce our new editorial board members for 2021–2024. These individuals are ready to use their unique combinations of experiences and qualities to help improve JMLA’s processes, policies, and programs. We are thrilled to have them on board!
Aida T Miró-Herrans, University of Florida
Amy Reyes, AHIP, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Andrea Hayes, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dean Guistini, University of British Columbia
Jherusha Lambert, Fulton County Government
Kelsa Bartley, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
LaTeesa James, University of Michigan
Liz Kellermeyer, AHIP, National Jewish Health
Melissa Kahili-Heede, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Tamara Nelson, AHIP, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
This year’s editorial board member selection process was a new approach. Rather than the editor-in-chief appointing new members based on their previous record of publishing and peer review experience, we used a more inclusive and participatory process to bring a greater diversity of perspectives and life experiences to our team.
We first issued an open call for applications and strongly encouraged people who identify as being from an underrepresented group to apply. We also welcomed applicants who were not MLA members, who were not health sciences librarians, or who did not have significant publishing experience to apply. After receiving over ninety applications, a selection committee consisting of outgoing editorial board members and members of the JMLA equity workgroup reviewed the applicants and recommended the most outstanding applicants to the editor-in-chief. In addition, two new editorial board members were appointed based on their valuable contributions as MLA Caucus/Committee liaisons to the JMLA equity workgroup.
The JMLA editorial board consists of individuals with diverse personal identities, professional roles, workplaces, and geographies who advise on journal processes and policies, act as journal ambassadors, and help keep the journal at the forefront of scholarly publishing. JMLA editorial board members attend virtual editorial board meetings and communicate through the journal’s internal email listserv. They represent the journal in professional spaces and solicit manuscript submissions from authors. They can opt to join workgroups dedicated to specific initiatives (e.g., developing new policies or programs), to serve as liaisons to MLA Domain Hubs, and to act as mentors to editorial interns or new peer reviewers or authors. Editorial board members are expected to stay up-to-date with new developments in scholarly publishing and to actively participate in editorial board conversations and training opportunities. They serve volunteer, staggered, three-year terms.