Related Experiment Videos
MLA committee membership: retrospect and prospect
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|October 1, 1970
Summary
Medical Library Association (MLA) committees heavily rely on medical school librarians. Analysis of ten years of membership data reveals patterns in turnover and tenure, suggesting a need for broader member engagement in leadership roles.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences Librarianship
- Library and Information Science
- Medical Library Association (MLA) Governance
Background:
- Understanding committee composition and dynamics is crucial for organizational effectiveness.
- Past studies have not comprehensively analyzed MLA committee membership trends over extended periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine MLA committee membership patterns over the past three and ten years.
- To identify trends in committee turnover, member tenure, and leadership frequency.
- To assess opportunities for new member involvement and inform future MLA structural recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of MLA committee membership data categorized by institution type (medical school, society, hospital) for three years.
- A ten-year examination of individual committee membership rosters to track turnover and tenure.
- Review of leadership positions and service frequency over a decade.
Main Results:
- A significant reliance on medical school librarians for committee appointments was observed.
- Specific committees exhibit higher rates of membership turnover.
- A limited number of individuals (360) have served in listed MLA committee positions over ten years.
Conclusions:
- Current committee structures show a concentrated service base, potentially limiting new member engagement.
- The Medical Library Association should actively solicit member opinions.
- Future organizational planning should consider historical service patterns to foster broader participation and leadership development.