Midcontinental Chapter of the
Medical Library Association

* Colorado * Kansas * Missouri * Nebraska * South Dakota * Utah * Wyoming *

2004-2005 Priorities

Recruitment, Membership, and Leadership in the Profession

Recruitment

1. Continue to develop strategies to attract new members and maintain a stable membership:
1. Survey potential members and determine what would motivate them to join MCMLA. ( Membership)
2. Create Task Force on Recruitment and Diversity to strengthen efforts in building and attracting a diverse membership. ( Executive)
3. Offer free memberships for all LIS students. ( Membership)
2. *Develop outreach and mentorship resources for current and new members.
1. Establish a section on the web page highlighting Chapter LIS programs. ( Web Editor)
2. Highlight recruitment topics in the Express. (Publications )
3. Provide a link on Express and the web page to the MLA Mentor Database. ( Web Editor)
3. Aggressively target the three Chapter library schools (CO, KS, MO) to promote the field of librarianship and educate current students about the profession. ( Membership)
1. Negotiate a Chapter presence on the LIS web sites. ( Membership; Web Editor)
2. Increase internship opportunities for LIS students. ( Membership; Executive)
3. Participate and exhibit in job fairs offered by LIS. ( Membership)
4. Seek membership on appropriate LIS committees ( Membership)
4. Expand web-based recruitment resources ( Web Editor)
1. Evaluate web format and accessibility.
2. Redesign the current web site.
3. Evaluate current MCMLA logo.
5. Assess members’ knowledge and attitudes towards Institution Communication Technology (ICT). ( Continuing Education)
1. Develop web-accessible Directory of member institutions utilizing ICT. ( Continuing Education; Web Editor)

 Membership

1. Expand on recognition of members and retirees. ( Membership, Honors and Awards)
1. Send press releases to local newspapers and letters to CEOs regarding member honors and accomplishments. ( Honors and Awards)
2. Add the supporting documentation list (from brochure) to the web site. ( Honors and Awards; Web Editor)
2. *Display archives and continue to contribute information to the Express. ( Archivist)
3. Establish an online PayPal® account for dues collection.( Executive Secretary)
4. Offer a free annual membership via annual meeting drawings. ( Membership)
5. Develop a process for redesign and timely delivery of web content. ( Publications; Web Editor; Chair)

Leadership in the Profession

1. Support the MLA Mentoring Initiative by promoting the MLANET link (Becoming a Librarian) and establish at least one online mentor per state. ( Credentialing Liaison)
2. Apply for a Chapter-Level Leadership Education Challenge Grant offered by the Leadership and Management Section. ( Continuing Education)
3. Include a description of Committees and leadership roles in the Chapter with the dues renewal encouraging involvement. ( Executive Secretary)

Life Long Learning

1. Collaborate with 2005 Annual Meeting Planners to develop and deliver educational opportunities. ( Continuing Education)
2. *Continue to support and integrate the work of the Task Force to develop MLA’s Center of Research and Education (CORE). ( Continuing Education)
3. Include a session on AHIP/Credentialing in 2005 programming. ( Continuing Education; Credentialing Liaison)

 Advocacy

1. Continue to develop collaborative relationships with other Chapters, associations, and organizations. ( Bylaws; Continuing Education; Governmental Relations; Honors and Awards; Membership; Publications; Research)
2. Suggest techniques based on the MLA Benchmarking Study to help members advocate their value to their institutions. ( Benchmarking Liaison)
3. Maintain communication channels between MLA Governmental Relations Committee and the MCMLA Governmental Relations Committee. ( Governmental Relations)
1. Review the size and mission of Governmental Relations Committee.
2. Submit articles to Express.

Creating and Communicating Our Knowledge

1. Continue to increase the visibility of research within the Chapter. ( Research)
1. Consider creation of Public Relations Task Force. ( Executive)
2. Promote the Mentoring Service of the Research Section. ( Research)
2. Encourage submission of articles for possible inclusion in publications such as the Journal of Hospital Librarianship, JMLA, Medical Reference Quarterly, etc. ( Research; Publications)
3. Plan and investigate the availability of grant and logistic support for a research project involving multiple and varied institutions served by MCMLA members. ( Research)
4. *Develop recommended lists of health web sites for health care providers and consumers by linking to existing NN/LM web site resources. ( Web Editor; NN/LM Consumer Health Liaison)
5. Survey chapter libraries currently using the EFTS system for document delivery billing and promote usage of this system. ( Public Relations Task Force)
1. Study feasibility of using MLGSCA (Southern California/Arizona Chapter) Coupon Exchange manager for EFTS participation.

Building a Network of Partners

1. Keep the membership informed about MCMLA members and activities. ( Membership; Web Editor; Publications; Chair)
2. *Continue to partner with the graduate schools of library science in joint recruitment, research and educational initiatives. ( Membership; Research; Continuing Education)

Organization

1. Establish a Finance Task Force to create a financial long-term to determine if the goals of the organization are being adequately addressed, and to evaluate expenditures, investment options. ( Immediate Past Chair)
2. Review the Committee structures. ( Executive; Committee Chairs)
3. Revise the Policy and Procedure Manual to reflect current practices and organizational needs. ( Immediate Past Chair)
4. Annual meetings: ( Annual Meeting Advisor)
1. Firm-up meeting rotation for the next ten years
2. Finalize the Planning Manual
   1. Link the Manual off the web site ( Web Editor)
3. Investigate online registration.

* - MLA Presidential Priorities 2004-2005