Committees & Panels
Advisory Panels, led by the Advisory Panel Officer, are responsible for developing and recommending policy and for monitoring issues corresponding with the major goal areas of the Association. Standing committees are constituted to perform a continuing function designed to carry out the business of the Association and to implement specific charges by the Executive Board.
To join an MLA member group:
- Log into the Info Hub using your member account.
- Navigate to "My Info" the click the + button next to Lists/Committees.
- Select the group(s) you're interested in joining.
- After you select a group, you'll be added to the group in MLA Connect and to the group's email listserv where you'll get information about upcoming meetings.
MLA Committees & Panels
Mission
The awards committee is dedicated to accepting nominations and selecting recipients who exemplify the values and dedication listed for each award. Awards are given at the MLA/DLA conference each year. Selected winners must be approved by the MLA Executive Board.Â
Mission
The Maryland Library Association’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Panel establishes and recommends procedures to the Association to enhance the diversity of the Association. The EDI Panel supports and assists MLA’s Executive Board, units, and other associated bodies in being more welcoming and inclusive for all.
Mission
The Intellectual Freedom Panel (IF Panel) provides a forum for librarians who are interested in issues concerning intellectual freedom, access to information and censorship. IF Panel recommends policy and appropriate action to the MLA Executive Board and to MLA membership on intellectual freedom matters. IF Panel also sponsors discussions and programs throughout the year and at the annual MLA Conference.Â
Intellectual Freedom LibGuideÂ
Intellectual Freedom ManualÂ
MLA Intellectual Freedom Manual - Full Document
Individual SectionsÂ
MissionÂ
As part of the Maryland Library Association (MLA), the Legislative Panel's purpose is:Â
- To monitor state and federal legislation that has an impact on libraries, including issues such as access to information, telecommunications and literacy.Â
- To attend hearings and give testimony in support or opposition of pending legislation or budget decisions.Â
- To maintain frequent contact with members of the Maryland General Assembly, Congress and other elected officials to garner support for libraries.Â
- To keep library representatives and the MLA membership informed of state and federal legislation that impacts libraries.Â
The Legislative Panel meets monthly to discuss legislative issues, share information, and coordinate efforts to further the mission of libraries throughout the state. Â
Membership
The Legislative Panel is chaired by the Legislative Officer, who is appointed each year by the MLA President. The membership is comprised of representatives from public, academic, school and special libraries, representatives from other library membership organizations, and includes several MLA offices—the President, Past President, President Elect, Assistant Legislative Officer, Intellectual Freedom Officer and Executive Director—as well as the State Librarian and an intern(s) from the Library Advocacy Interest Group.Â
The Legislative Officer is responsible for examining any state legislation impacting libraries, closely monitoring the actions of the General Assembly, and coordinating state-wide advocacy efforts of the Legislative Panel and other library representatives. Most activities occur during the 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly that runs from January to April each year.Â
The Assistant Legislative Officer / Federal Coordinator is responsible for examining any federal legislation impacting libraries, closely monitoring the actions of Congress, and coordinating state-wide advocacy efforts of the Legislative Panel and other library representatives. The Assistant Legislative Officer / Federal Coordinator serves as Maryland’s liaison to the American Library Association’s Washington Office, an organization whose purpose is to monitor federal legislation and activities with an impact on libraries, and as the coordinator for Maryland library advocates’ participation in the annual National Library Legislative Day. Most activities occur when Congress is in session from January 3rd and through the Fall.
Mission
This committee’s primary goal is to support Maryland Library Association staff efforts to promote the organization. We work to improve effective communication to MLA members, divisions and interest groups; ensure a consistent message when speaking with the membership and increase awareness of the organization within the Maryland library community.Â
This committee also presents the Maryland Library Association Excellence in Marketing Award each year. This award, presented at the annual conference, recognizes the talent of communications and marketing personnel within Maryland libraries, while sharing ideas, learning from peers and validating the importance of library marketing.Â
Get Involved
Any MLA member is welcome to join the Marketing Committee. General members meet quarterly while the steering committee meets each month. Please consider joining this diverse group if you have a marketing background or enjoy:Â
- Social MediaÂ
- Graphic DesignÂ
- WritingÂ
- Event planning and organization Â
The Maryland Author Award was established in 1996 to honor Maryland authors. The winning author receives the award at the MLA | DLA Annual Conference and speaks at a conference luncheon. The award rotates each year among five genres: adult fiction, young adult, adult non-fiction, children's, and poetry.
Goals
The goals of this committee are as follows:
- To identify and promote outstanding Maryland Authors in the areas of adult fiction, young adult, non-fiction, children's, and poetry.
- To provide librarians and teachers with a resource list of excellent Maryland writers within genres mentioned above.
- To encourage Maryland authors and the publishers who represent them to create high quality books for readers.
Additionally, the committee seeks to enhance the works skills of its participants by helping to:
- Develop each member’s evaluative skills related to the year’s genre.
- Enhance each member’s readers’ advisory capabilities.
- Develop skills in the areas of communication, collaboration, and leadership.
- Develop in-house resources for libraries in the area of Maryland literature specific to that year’s genre.
- Encourage greater reading and discussion of local writers within the Maryland community.
Evaluation Process
Each committee member is expected to bring authors to the committee for consideration, read books by their assigned author(s) between meetings, bring their prepared remarks for their assigned authors, fully participate in the discussions and in the voting process, and contribute annotations for the final program brochure.
Mission Statement
The Professional Development Panel supports the Maryland Library Association, its members, and the staff of Maryland libraries, by reviewing/approving proposals for MLA sponsored educational programs, facilitating a consistent understanding and application of best practices for continuing education programs for library staff, and promoting professional development resources.