Editing Medical Library Association (section)

== Governance and structure ==
MLA is governed by a board of directors. The president, president-elect, immediate past president, seven directors elected by the membership at large, and chairs of the Chapter and Caucus councils serve as voting members of the board of directors. The president serves as chair of the board of directors and does not vote except to make or to break a tie. The executive director serves as a nonvoting member of the board of directors.

=== Chapters ===
Fourteen geographic groups within the United States are currently affiliated with MLA. These chapters provide a vital link to the programs and services of the association; they are open to both MLA members and non-members.

=== Caucuses ===
Over 40 MLA caucuses represent the varied subfields and areas of specialization of the association's membership. Caucuses share information during the year through email list communication, informal networking, and newsletters.<ref>[http://www.mlanet.org/sections] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113103549/http://www.mlanet.org/sections|date=January 13, 2010}}</ref> Caucuses sponsor contributed and invited paper sessions at the Annual Meeting.<ref name="mlanet.org">[http://www.mlanet.org/sections/sections.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828111818/http://www.mlanet.org/sections/sections.html|date=August 28, 2009}}</ref> Examples of MLA caucuses include: Cancer Libraries, Consumer and Public Health Information, Hospital Libraries, Medical Informatics, Nursing and Allied Health Resources, Public Health/Health Administration, Research, and Veterinary Medical Libraries.<ref name="mlanet.org"/>

=== Committees, juries, panels and task forces ===
MLA depends on members with a wide range of skills and expertise to serve on its committees. Committees have varied roles in the association. The word committee includes committees required by the bylaws, committees of the Board of Directors, standing committees, subcommittees, ad hoc committees, juries, panels, and task forces. A description of these various committees is provided below:
* '''Standing committees''' are continuing committees with ongoing responsibility for furthering the Medical Library Association's interests, programs, and projects.
* The '''Executive and Nominating Committees''' are mandated by the bylaws.
* '''Juries''' are constituted for the purpose of recommending recipients of awards, prizes, grants, and scholarships.
* '''Panels''' are appointed to serve as peer-review and evaluation boards for MLA's publication and credentialing programs.
* '''Ad hoc committees''' are appointed for a special purpose and are discharged when their tasks are completed.
* From time to time, special '''task forces''' are appointed for a specific study.