History and Purpose
MLNC was founded on
October 19, 1981 as the Missouri Library Network Corporation by
the
representatives of thirty-one Missouri libraries. The mission of MLNC is to organize and deliver to its member libraries and other
contracting entities OCLC-based
information services, related electronic services and content, and
training in the management and use of information.
MLNC’s primary role from 1983-2009 was to provide OCLC services to
Missouri libraries. We continue to be an active OCLC partner but now
provide billing, marketing, and training services to libraries
throughout the Midwest region. In addition, MLNC provides discounts on a
variety of library-related products and services, including
electronic reference databases
from vendors such as
LexisNexis, Oxford University
Press, Congressional Quarterly,
and others as well as library supply
catalogs (such as DEMCO and BRODART).
Governance and Bylaws
MLNC is governed by a board of 11 directors.
The Board is elected from the directors of the member institutions by
plurality vote in spring of each year. Board members’ terms are
staggered, and Board members can run for a total of three terms.
Election to the Board of Directors is based on individual knowledge and
professional competence and not on geographic distribution or
characteristics of the place of employment. The Director or Chief
Executive of each Member is the designated representative who is
entitled to cast that member’s vote at membership meetings. All member
representatives are eligible for board membership. MLNC follows the
by-laws of the Corporation.
Strategic Focus and Annual Activity Plan
The MLNC Board created a document outlining
the Areas of Strategic Focus for the
organization. MLNC uses these topics to direct its activities and as a
guide for its decision making. The board also issues an
Activity Plan which supplements the Areas
of Strategic Focus and serves as an annual "road map" for the
organization.
Membership
Membership confers many benefits and is required to obtain
products and services offered by MLNC. If you’d
like to become a MLNC member, fax or mail us a completed
membership form. Members include academic, academic–research,
public, school, corporate, hospital, and not-for-profit special
libraries.
The annual MLNC membership meeting is held each year in conjunction
with the Missouri Library Association Annual Conference.
The MLNC annual report
is distributed to
attendees.
Continuing Education
MLNC offers a wide range of
workshops on library-related topics including:
- OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing
- OCLC Connexion client and browser
- Descriptive cataloging
- Library management and administration
- Digitization
- Emerging technologies
- Collection management
MLNC staff contract with libraries and statewide organizations for
keynote and professional speaking
engagements such as in-house training, staff development events, and
other library programs. Combined with our regular workshop calendar,
MLNC members have a wide variety of continuing education opportunities
to suit their individual needs. To learn more about MLNC’s training and
speaking services, contact
MLNC
Support.
Ronald G. Bohley Award
The Ronald G. Bohley Award is to be presented by the Missouri
Library Association and MLNC to an
individual or individuals whose actions have led to libraries working
better together and who exemplifies the best efforts to reach out beyond
her/his own institution to promote cooperative activities among
libraries.
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