MLA will sunset the Disaster Information Specialization on April 30, 2023. More than 275 librarians, first responders, members of the military, and others have earned a DIS since we partnered with NNLM to offer it in 2012.
Earlier this year, we held a number of meetings with creators of the specialization, course authors, and key NNLM experts to discuss the future of the DIS. The group reviewed DIS usage, current disaster preparation needs, and funding possibilities. They recommended that MLA end the DIS and, instead, support librarian disaster preparation, response, and recovery with two core on-demand courses supplemented with NNLM disaster-related offerings. MLA has followed their recommendation. We will add a catalog of no-cost disaster-related courses to MEDLIB-ED after the DIS is sunset.
We will maintain the MLANET DIS page through 2026, updating the list of DIS recipients as needed so DIS holders have documentation of the meaning and value of their DIS and of their accomplishment.
If you are pursuing your Level I or II DIS, want to renew your DIS, or have been intending to earn your DIS, you have six months to complete required courses. The NNLM will continue to support the DIS application fee for library staff and students who reside within any region of the NNLM. See the MEDLIB-ED DIS catalog or the Disaster Information Specialization page for detailed information on deadlines.