Organization

MLA delivers its programs to members and the public through the following organization:  

1. Elected Members and Appointed Officials
• Membership elects the MLA Board of Directors from a slate of candidates selected and vetted by the MLA Nominating Committee, elected as well by the membership.
• The Board of Director sets MLA strategy, approves the budget and appoints the Executive Director, and the editors of the MLAConnect and Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) publications.
• The Executive Committee is part of the MLA Board of Directors. It's composed of the President, Immediate Past-President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Executive Director. 
• The Finance Committee consists of the Treasurer as chair, Immediate Past-President, Executive Director, one member of the Board, and one member at-large. 
2. Committees
   Members participate in a number of MLA committees and taskforces:
   • Standing Committees have annual responsibilities for furthering MLA's plans, goals, strategies, programs, and projects.
   • Juries recommend recipients of awards, grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
   • Editorial Boards are appointed to serve as peer-review and evaluation boards for MLA publications.
   • Taskforces are appointed for a specific study or activity
3. Allied Reps 
   MLA members liaise with allied associations, agencies, networks, and organizations that share MLA's concerns.
4. Councils
   Members create and share resources, and network in MLA Caucuses and Chapters. Those entities are represented in two councils, whose respective chairs sit on the Board of Directors as ex-officio voting members:
   • Community Council 
   • Caucuses report to the Community Council.
   • Chapter Council
   • Includes representatives from each chapter.
5. Domain Hubs 
   Representatives from caucuses, committees, and publications collaborate in the domain hubs for content, programming, and communication in seven professional practice areas.
6. Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP)
   Members and non-members are credentialed by the Academy, led by a specific committee of expert members.
7. Fellows
   Members who become MLA Fellows are recognized as leaders in the profession, and contribute to MLA in various ways.

As an MLA member, you are invited to participate in MLA committees and other activities.

Useful Documents and Information (members only)

1. Governance Documents
   
   • Bylaws are the rules that provide for the orderly management of the association.
   • On January 17, 2023, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., central, members are invited to this second open forum to share your thoughts and suggestions about additional changes to the proposed amendments to the MLA Bylaws requested by members attending the December 7, 2022 open forum. 

   • On December 7, 2022, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. central, members are invited to share thoughts and suggestions about the proposed amendments to the MLA Bylaws with the MLA Bylaws committee.

   • In August 2016, the membership approved revised Bylaws, effective on January 1, 2017.

   • In August 2016, the Board of Directors approved the new policy on membership, effective January, 2017 (2017 membership season), in compliance with the revised Bylaws.

   • In May 2019, the Board of Directors approved the new policies that govern Chapters and Chapter Council, in compliance with the revised Bylaws.

   • In January 2019, the Board of Directors approved revised Model Bylaws for Use by Chapters in compliance with the revised MLA Bylaws. Chapters also should follow these Step-by-Step Procedures for Revising Chapter Bylaws.

   • In July 2019, the Board of Directors Policies Governing Caucuses, Domain Hubs, and Community Council (effective September, 2019) which replace Section bylaws.
   • In May 2020, members attending the 2020 MLA Annual Business Meeting adopted Special Rules of Order that guide the conduct of virtual business, board and committee meetings.
   • Procedures for Counting a Quorum at MLA Annual Business Meetings. According to MLA Bylaws a quorum of 200 of the voting members is required for transaction of business.
2. File libraries
• Audited financial statements
• Board of Directors meeting minutes
• Annual reports (committees, task forces, caucuses, chapters, allied representatives)
3. Leader Orientation
• Orientation: MLA's structure, organization, and program areas
• Reports: instructions for annual activity reports