Mississippi Library Association

Chapter Four: Committees

LIST OF COMMITTEES
1. Archives and History
2. Awards
3. Conference
  1. Local Arrangements
  2. Hospitality
  3. Registration
  4. Exhibits
  5. Poster Sessions
4. Conference Site Selection
5. Conservation
6. Constitution, Bylaws and Organizational Review
7. Continuing Education
8. Copyright Review
9. Credentials
10. Election
11. Fiscal Management
12. Handbook
13. Information Literacy
14. Insurance
15. Intellectual Freedom
16. Internal Audit
17. Legislative
  1. Networking
  2. Steering
18. Long Range Planning for Library Services
19. Membership
20. Memorial Fund
21. Mississippi Authors Awards
22. Mississippi Libraries
23. National Library Week
24. Nominating
25. Past Presidents
26. Publications
27. Publicity
28. Reprint
29. Right to Read
30. Salary
31. Scholarship
32. Web Page
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The incoming President appoints all committees except the
  conference committees, which are appointed by the incoming Vice
  President. (For information regarding the conference committees and
  their duties, refer to the conference section.)
  Past Presidents Committee is composed of last three past Presidents.
  Mississippi Authors Awards Committee members serve for two years.
2. The incoming President will appoint a Vice
  Chairperson/Chairperson-Elect of each committee in consultation
  with each committee chairperson.
3. All committees are not appointed every year.
4. Committees are composed of a chairperson and any number of
  members (preferably one person representing each field of library
  interest and at least one person from the committee of the previous
  year.)
5. Duties of the chairperson include
  1. Contacting and/or calling together the committee members to set
    objectives to fulfill the purpose of the committee.
  2. Keeping records of the committee.
    1. Activities
    2. Names and addresses of committee members
    3. Correspondence
  3. Transferring records of committee at end of term specified by
    the President.
  4. Attending meetings of the Executive Board as specified by the
    President.
  5. Making progress reports to President on call.
  6. Sending publicity chairperson report of activities to be
    published in
  7. Preparing annual committee report for conference, with number
    of copies requested by the President for the Executive Board and
    the registration committee for conference kits.
6. Duties of committee members
  1. Contribute ideas to enhance the effectiveness of the committee
    work.
  2. Support the committee report.
7. Funding
  1. Money is allocated by the Executive Board to help defray
    expenses for some committee work.
  2. Stationery and postage are available from the MLA office.
8. If extra funds are needed for the next year, a written request
  should be made to the MLA Executive Board by December first. The
  request will be considered by the Fiscal Management Committee when
  it meets in December to plan the MLA budget for the next year.
COMMITTEES
1. Archives and History Committee
  1. Purpose: To oversee the archives of the Association, making
    sure the materials are filed in logical order and that the
    important records of the Association are preserved.
  2. Records to be collected and maintained:
    1. Minutes
      1. Executive Board
      2. General Session
    2. Legal Papers
    3. Annual Association audits
    4. Substantive correspondence of the President
    5. One copy of all publications issued by the Association
    6. Committee and Round Table reports and recommendations
    7. Records of special projects
  3. Meetings: The Archives Committee shall meet annually at least
    once to review materials in the archives and counsel with the
    Executive Secretary regarding the care and acquisition of archival
    materials. The archives serves as the memory of the Association and
    it is the duty of the Archives Committee to see that continuity is
    maintained in gathering and filing information about the
    Association and libraries in the state.
  4. Membership: The Executive Secretary shall be a permanent member
    of the Archives Committee.
2. Awards Committee
  1. Purpose: To recognize outstanding-accomplishment in the field
    of librarianship and/or library service and to development and to
    encourage interest in the library profession.
  2. The Mississippi Library Association presents these awards:
    1. Baker & Taylor/NMRT Grassroots Award (Selected by New
      Members Round Table)
    2. Carroon Apple Award (Selected by School Libraries Section)
    3. Friends of Mississippi Libraries: Chapter One Award (Selected
      by Friends of Mississippi Libraries)
    4. Friends of Mississippi Libraries: Ruby Assaf Presidential Award
      (Selected by Friends of Mississippi Libraries)
    5. Mississippi Authors Awards (Selected by Mississippi Authors
      Awards Committee)
    6. Outstanding Achievement Award (Selected by Awards
      Committee)
    7. Past Presidents Award (Selected by Past Presidents
      Committee)
    8. Peggy May Award (Selected by Awards Committee)
      (For details, see Appendix F, Awards.)
3. Conference Committee
  1. Local Arrangements
  2. Hospitality
  3. Registration
  4. Exhibits
  5. Poster Sessions
  (For details, see Chapter 5, Conference.)
4. Conference Site Selection Committee
  (See Vice President in Officers section of Handbook.)
5. Conservation Committee
  1. Purpose: To present for the continuing education of librarians,
    current theory and techniques applied to library
    conservation/preservation.
  2. Responsibilities:
    1. Provide consultation when disasters necessitate emergency
      situations.
    2. Conduct workshops or other type programs to increase awareness
      of conservation/preservation needs on topics such as
      1. Binding
      2. Paper quality/preservation
      3. Photograph preservation
      4. Care of special materials
      5. Other preservation techniques
      6. In-house methods of conservation
    3. Make available for librarians continuing education
      opportunities on library conservation/preservation.
      1. Publish articles in Mississippi Libraries.
      2. Make available “how to” pamphlets and handouts.
      3. Create a list of “experts” to consult.
      4. Maintain samples of library disaster plans.
      5. Provide other resources.
6. Constitution, Bylaws and Organizational Review Committee
  1. Purpose: To study and prepare amendments and revisions to the
    Constitution and Bylaws to be presented to the Executive Board
    prior to the conference and then to the membership for final
    decision at the annual business meeting of the Association in
    accordance with the rules as set by the Constitution.
  2. Suggestions for work:
    1. Contact the President and past President for any
      suggestions.
    2. Question the members of the committee to arrive at some general
      areas to consider for study.
    3. Examine the annual reports of the committees.
    4. Contact Sections and regional chairpersons for suggestions, as
      well as committee chairpersons.
    5. Contact membership of the Association for ideas and
      suggestions.
    6. Examine issues of Mississippi Libraries and other professional
      journals.
    7. Review the Constitution and Bylaws.
    8. Have a meeting of the committee to discuss findings and make
      recommendations for study.
    9. Prepare wording of amendments and revisions to the Constitution
      and Bylaws to be presented to the Executive Board prior to the
      conference and then to the membership for final decision at the
      annual business meeting.
    10. Present additional recommendations in the annual report.
7. Continuing Education Committee
  1. History: The Continuing Education Committee was created in 1968
    as the Library Education Committee to serve as a long-term
    committee to establish, if possible, an American Library
    Association accredited library school in Mississippi and to study
    all facets of library education in the state. In 1977 the emphasis
    for the committee shifted to continuing education of librarians and
    other library personnel. In 1995 the MLA Executive Board approved
    the change of the committee’s name to Continuing Education
    Committee.
  2. Purpose: To offer and promote continuing education workshops
    for library personnel in the state.
  3. Duties of the Chairperson:
    1. Appoint subcommittees for special projects.
    2. Provide leadership in the planning and execution of workshops,
      seminars, or other continuing education projects for library
      personnel in the state.
    3. Coordinate joint projects with MLA committees, Round Tables and
      Sections and with other appropriate interested organizations,
      agencies, or institutions in the state.
    4. Update as needed criteria for workshops for the awarding of
      Certificates of Attendance. (See Appendix G.)
    5. Update as needed criteria for presenters to be included in a
      Speakers Bureau. (See Appendix G.)
    6. Update as needed the Speakers Bureau Application Form for
      potential presenters to fill out for inclusion in the Speakers
      Bureau. (See form in Appendix G.)
8. Copyright Review Committee
  1. Purpose: Created as an ad hoc committee to monitor the effect
    of the 1976 Copyright Law changes on Mississippi libraries. In
    1983, the board removed the ad hoc status. The committee serves as
    a clearinghouse for copyright information. The chairperson actively
    solicits librarians’ comments on the impact that Copyright Law
    changes have had on library service.
  2. Duties:
    1. Propose to the Board statements to be submitted to the Register
      of Copyrights outlining Copyright Law problems.
    2. Maintain a file of current copyright information to be
      disseminated at the request of any MLA member.
    3. Maintain or heighten awareness among Mississippi librarians of
      issues related to copyright.
9. Credentials Committee
  1. Purpose: To ensure that only those persons who have paid dues
    have a vote in the business of the Association.
  2. Duties: Appoint tellers to serve at the general business
    session to count and report votes on all matters whether viva voca
    or written.
10. Election Committee
  1. Purpose: To have charge of the conduct of the elections of the
    Association and the counting and tabulation of votes.
  2. Duties:
    1. Obtain from the nominating committee the slate of nominees for
      the offices of the Association.
    2. Direct the preparation of a printed ballot, known as the
      “Official Ballot”, which shall have the name and professional
      address of each nominee for office.
    3. Mail a copy of the “Official Ballot” on April 1 to each voting
      member of the Association in good standing. (See Bylaws.)
    4. Supply envelopes bearing the words “Official Ballot Enclosed”
      in which the ballots may be sealed and returned to the election
      committee.
    5. Count and tabulate all “Official Ballots” received. (See Bylaws.)
    6. Report to the Executive Board by May 15 the candidate receiving
      the largest number of votes for each office. Actual count of votes
      is not reported. President will contact ML with election
      results.
    7. In case of a tie vote, determine the successful candidate by
      lot. Candidates involved in the tie shall be given the opportunity
      to be present or represented for the lot. (See Bylaws, Article XI. Sec. 6.)
11. Fiscal Management
  1. Purpose: To review and make recommendations to the Executive
    Board concerning all financial matters of the Association.
  2. Duties:
    1. Review physical and financial assets each January.
    2. Receive financial statement from the Treasurer at the end of
      the year.
    3. Prepare a proposed budget for the coming year to be presented
      to the Executive Board for approval in December.
    4. Consult on financial matters of the Association throughout the
      year as needed.
  3. Members: Members should be chosen from past Presidents, past
    Treasurers, and past Business Managers of Mississippi Libraries,
    with the current President, Treasurer, ML Business Manager,
    Bookkeeper, and the Executive Secretary serving in an advisory
    capacity.
12. Handbook
  1. Purpose: To keep the Handbook of the Association updated by
    revisions and additions as needed.
  2. Chair: The immediate past President is the most logical person
    to serve as chairperson.
  3. Duties:
    1. Retain and place in MLA archives copies of outdated MLA
      Handbooks.
    2. Online Handbook
      1. Make changes/updates and send electronically to Web Page
        Committee.
      2. Retain paper copy of Handbook pages changed and place in MLA
        archives.
    3. To aid in updating the Handbook, obtain the following:
      1. Minutes of Executive Board from MLA Secretary
      2. Lists of all awards presented and the recipients from Awards
        Committee, School Libraries Section, New Members Round Table, Past
        Presidents Committee, Mississippi Authors Awards Committee, and
        Friends of Libraries.
      3. Scholarship recipients from the Scholarship Committee.
13. Information Literacy
  1. Purpose: to create a greater awareness of information literacy issues and
    promote more effective use of library resources through fulfillment of the following objectives:
    1. To raise the consciousness level of librarians throughout the state in relation to information literacy.
    2. To promote the development of cooperative and coordinated information literacy programs among and for all types of libraries and librarians in Mississippi.
    3. To serve as a liaison between the state association and regional and national associations in matters relating to information literacy.
  (Approved by MLA Executive Board August 6, 2003)
14. Insurance
15. Intellectual Freedom
  1. Purpose:
    1. To promote freedom of inquiry and access to materials.
    2. To maintain a statement of policy and guidelines for librarians
      in purchasing library materials.
    3. To strengthen the positions of librarians and libraries in case
      of controversies.
    4. To keep the MLA membership aware of developments in this
      area.
  Note: The 1969 Conference accepted the recommended policy
  proposed by this committee.
16. Internal Audit
  Established in 1999 by the President and the Vice President
  based on a previous recommendation. The charge of the committee
  is:
  1. To determine that the Association’s fiscal records, procedures,
    and operations are in proper order.
  2. To recommend to the MLA Executive Board appropriate
    recommendations for change.
  The duties of the committee are:
  1. To meet and carry out its purposes each year prior to the MLA
    Executive Board meeting in May.
  2. To report on the committee’s findings at the May Executive
    Board meeting.
  The committee will be composed of 2 past presidents, 2 past
  treasurers, and the executive secretary. The members will serve
  two-year staggered terms.
17. Legislative
  1. Purpose:
    1. To promote interest in state and federal legislative action
      affecting or pertaining to libraries or the welfare of
      libraries.
    2. To inform the membership.
    3. To encourage active participation in legislative programs.
  2. Duties:
    1. Maintain an awareness of legislation important to library
      service and to promote and publicize such legislation.
    2. Keep abreast of federal programs affecting libraries and use
      available means to promote passage of needed legislation.
    3. Plan Legislative Program (i.e. luncheon, reception, breakfast)
      for legislators, (usually in January or February) in cooperation
      with NLW Committee workshop.
    4. Encourage and coordinate participation in the ALA sponsored
      Legislative Day activities in Washington (usually in April).
    1. Make and coordinate travel arrangements for the Mississippi
      delegation
    2. Arrange appointments with the Mississippi Congressional
      delegates.
18. Long Range Planning for Library Services
  1. Purpose: To provide a vehicle for encouraging and assisting the
    Sections, Round Tables, committees and interest groups of the
    Mississippi Library Association in their long range planning.
  2. Duties:
    1. To promote, encourage, and implement planning for library
      cooperation and development by the MLA.
    2. To explore and serve as a forum for ideas in library
      development.
    3. To annually assess the effectiveness of the long-range plan and
      to identify and develop specific goals and objectives for the
      coming year as related to the Association’s mission statement.
  3. Organization:
    1. Membership will consist of
      
      (Total membership - nineteen)
      1. The Chair and Vice Chair of each Section
      2. A representative from the Mississippi Library Commission
      3. A representative from the University Library Director’s
        Council
      4. A representative from the Public Library Association
        Council
      5. A representative from the Community College Library Director’s
        Association
      6. A representative from the State Department of Education (Media
        Specialist)
      7. Two members at large, one of which will be Chair, on a two-year
        rotating appointment
      8. Two members appointed from the elected officers of the Round
        Tables.
      9. The Committee membership will be divided into four
        subcommittees by types of libraries.
  4. Recommendations:
    1. Publish the annual update to the long-range plan in the Winter
      issue of Mississippi Libraries.
    2. Prepare and present a written annual assessment for the MLA
      Annual Board meeting.
    3. Each Section, Round Table, committee, etc. will develop a set
      of goals and objectives and use these when assessing their
      planning.
    4. Using the MLA Annual Evaluation Report form developed by the
      Committee, each Section, Round Table, committee, etc. is to report,
      examine, and evaluate their activities in relationship to their
      goals or charge.
  5. Suggestions for work:
    1. Most of the work of the committee will be done by the four
      subcommittees, using the annual reports where possible. Each
      subcommittee will look at their plans for the current year and
      their long range goals and assess how the various Round Tables,
      committees, etc. carried out that plan during that year.
    2. The MLA Annual Evaluation Report Form, when filled out and
      returned to the MLA Executive Secretary, will then be compiled as
      the annual reports and given to the membership at the annual
      conference.
    3. Revisions would then be planned for the upcoming year and the
      updated goals and objectives published in the winter ML for the
      association to use for planning.
19. Membership
  1. Purpose:
    1. To solicit membership to the Association.
    2. To keep membership records.
  2. Duties of the Chairperson:
    1. Solicit members by
      1. Placing notices in all issues of Mississippi Libraries.
      2. Making special mailings to former members.
      3. Making appeals at National Library Week workshop, LAMP
        meetings, etc.
    2. Request members of membership committee to solicit members from
      the type libraries represented.
    3. Create new ideas to increase membership.
  3. Membership: The Executive Secretary serves as an ex officio
    member of this committee.
20. Memorial Fund
  The Executive Board established the MLA Memorial Fund in the
  spring of 1979 to provide a means of making contributions to the
  Association in memory of MLA members and others. A standing
  committee of five members was appointed to serve as trustees of the
  fund and to determine the way it will be used. Contributions to the
  Memorial Fund may be sent to the MLA Executive Secretary. The
  chairperson of the Memorial Fund Committee is responsible for
  sending appropriate acknowledgement cards.
21. Mississippi Authors Awards Committee
  The purpose of the Mississippi Authors Awards Committee is to
  recognize and encourage Mississippi authors and promotes interest
  in local authors’ books, whether the books are about Mississippi or
  another subject. Appointments to this committee are for a two-year
  period. (See Appendix F, Awards.)
22. Mississippi Libraries Committee
  (See Chapter 6, Mississippi Libraries.)
23. National Library Week Committee
  The National Library Week program functions on the national
  basis using the guidelines for operation as specified in the
  national handbook provided for such purpose.
  1. Officers: The Executive Board appoints an executive director
    and an associate director annually, preferably by May 1, and
    according to the national policy no later than July.
  2. Duties:
    1. Executive Director
      1. Follows plan of national handbook.
      2. Requests assistance from the Mississippi Library
        Commission.
      3. Coordinates activities.
      4. Asks the Governor to declare National Library Week in the
        state.
      5. Promotes continued publicity program throughout the year.
      6. Maintains a scrapbook.
      7. Writes annual report for the summer issue of Mississippi
        Libraries and for National headquarters.
      8. Plans overall program.
      9. Solicits financial aid from other organizations.
      10. Plans and submits budget to Fiscal Management Committee of
        MLA.
      11. Works toward excellence and possible national recognition.
    2. Associate Director
      1. Assists the director in all efforts.
      2. Usually is selected to become director the following year.
  3. Schedule of Activities:
    1. Executive direct or appointed preferably by March 1 and no
      later than April.
    2. Executive director immediately selects the steering committee
      with the approval of the president of MLA.
    3. Steering Committee meets in August to select State
      Chairperson.
    4. Chairpersons and Steering Committee meet in August to select
      members of State Committee.
    5. The Steering Committee and State Committee meet in November to
      select goals and appoint sub-committees.
    6. Meeting of sub-committees of State Committee between November
      and January 15.
    7. Workshop for local chairperson, State Committee, Steering
      Committee in January or early February in conjunction with
      legislative program.
  4. Finances:
    1. The MLA, Mississippi Library Commission, LAMP, and Friends of
      Mississippi Libraries cooperate in funding this activity.
    2. Assistance from business and other organizations is also
      solicited by Friends of Mississippi Libraries to sponsor the
      legislative program.
24. Nominating Committee
  1. Purpose: To select a slate of names to be nominated to fill the
    elective offices of the Association in accordance with the
    Bylaws.
  2. Duties:
    1. Select and secure consent of persons to be nominated along with
      photo and biography for Mississippi Libraries.
    2. Present names selected in writing to Executive Board at
      December meeting.
    3. Publicize the nominees and the nominating procedure in
      Mississippi Libraries, along with the Nominating Committee
      members.
  3. Present the slate of nominees for offices to the Election
    Committee. (See Bylaws.)
25. Past Presidents Committee
  1. Purpose: To select the recipient of Past Presidents’
    Award.
  2. Chair: Immediate past President serves as chair.
  3. Duties:
    1. Receive nominations from Awards Committee.
    2. Select recipient.
    3. Provide appropriate award to be presented at conference.
    4. Notify Mississippi Libraries and Handbook Committee of
      recipient.
  4. Membership: Composed of the last three Presidents of the
    Association.
26. Publications Committee
  Purpose: To initiate, coordinate, and supervise any publications
  authorized by the Executive Board, i.e. Handbook and Membership
  Directory.
27. Publicity Committee
  1. Purpose: To conduct an active program of publicizing
    1. Association activities
    2. Executive Board
    3. Special committee projects
    4. Awards
    5. National Library Week
    6. Annual conference
  2. Members of the Committee:
    1. Chairperson, appointed by the President.
    2. Other members representing the Sections, if possible.
    3. Mississippi Library Commission Public Relations staff
      member.
    4. Executive Secretary as ex officio member.
  3. Duties:
    1. Maintenance of a biographical data file of officers and
      conference participants with glossy prints.
    2. Appointing a member to the Mississippi Libraries editorial
      board.
    3. Preparation of news releases and dissemination to appropriate
      offices.
      1. Newspapers
      2. Radio
      3. Television
      4. Mississippi Libraries
      5. Professional journals
    4. Cooperation with editor of Mississippi Libraries in
      supplying news and coverage of events.
    5. Arranging for photographs
      1. Annual conference
        
        Award winners
        
        Incoming and outgoing officers
        
        Speakers
        
        Candid shots
      2. Legislative Day
      3. National Library Week
    6. Publicizing
      1. Elected officers
      2. Committee chairpersons and members
      3. Executive Board meetings (including summaries of the
        meetings)
      4. Mississippi Libraries
      5. National Library Week (assisted by Mississippi Library
        Commission)
      6. Conference plans and program
        
        Announcements in summer issue of ML
        
        Complete story in fall issue of ML
        
        Complete follow-up story in winter ML
      7. Professional meetings
  4. News Releases:
    1. Newspapers: Type articles, double-spaced, including name of
      Association, name and address of publicity chairperson and deadline
      of release. Stories should reach dailies one week before deadline
      or earlier for weeklies. Include cover letter to editor for
      significant coverage. Pictures: For best results send black &
      white glossy prints with news releases.
    2. Radio: Use the same copy as for newspaper or abbreviate it for
      announcement-type publicity. Arrange for live coverage using
      interview-type program with MLA officials, etc.
    3. Television: Plans one coverage in the conference city during
      the conference. TV stations have a public information spot, which
      is often hard to fill, and early notification will get rewarding
      results. If a speaker is a national figure, TV will likely plan an
      interview with him/her.
    4. Wire Releases: Use same newspaper story and obtain maximum
      coverage.
  5. Time Schedule:
    1. Between MLA Conference and January
      1. Prepare general conference follow-up story for Mississippi
        Libraries as arranged with editor.
      2. Announce newly elected Section officers.
    2. January
      1. Make available pictures of new Board. (December or January
        meeting)
      2. Announce Executive Board meetings.
      3. Announce committee appointments in hometown papers.
      4. Send representative to ALA mid-winter meeting.
      5. Check plans for National Library Week workshop &
        legislative programs.
    3. February
      1. Check plans for Round Table meetings.
    4. March
      1. Conference planning meeting of Executive Board with committee
        chairpersons.
      2. Conference program announcement.
      3. Round Table news releases
    5. April
      1. National Library Week.
      2. ALA Legislative Day in Washington
      3. Round Table meetings.
    6. May
      1. MLA news for Mississippi Libraries.
      2. Conference story for Mississippi Libraries.
      3. Announce newly elected officers for the coming year.
      4. Announce any committee actions.
    7. June
      1. Send representative to ALA
      2. Appointment of executive director and associate director of
        National Library Week.
    8. July
      1. Follow-up story on ALA.
      2. Check on programs, conference plans, photographs, etc. to begin
        writing conference publicity.
    9. August
      1. Conference story due to Mississippi Libraries for fall
        issue.
    10. September (Pre-Conference Planning)
      1. Contact editors and wire service in conference city for news
        coverage at meetings, etc., and see about photographs and number of
        pictures desired. (Newspaper may cover this.)
      2. Have mats made of the speakers.
      3. Possibilities of news releases:
        
        General conference story: where, when, attendance expected,
        number of members, theme, program, list of Executive Board.
        
        Book exhibits and equipment.
        
        Sections’ stories.
    11. October
      1. Complete all details of the conference stories at least 10 days
        prior to the conference.
      2. At the conference,
        
        Plan to follow-up arrangements with local newspapers.
        
        Coordinate plans for photographs of activities and new officers
        and chairpersons with conference committee.
        
        Arrange interviews with speakers for newspaper reporters, have
        advance copy of speech for reporters, second copy retain for
        follow-up ML story.
        
        Schedule photographers, meet at time arranged, know where to
        have photographers and arrange pictures in as little confusion as
        possible (several pictures can be taken at once to save time).
28. Reprint Committee
  Purpose: To identify books about Mississippi or by
  Mississippians that should be reprinted and to negotiate reprinting
  with publishers.
29. Right to Read Committee
30. Salary Committee
  Purpose: To make a yearly study of salaries in different types
  of libraries as recommended in the Long Range Plan.
31. Scholarship Committee
  1. Purpose: To administer the Peggy May/MLA Scholarship which is
    designed to provide financial assistance of at least $600 annually
    for the education of individuals who plan to be professional
    librarians, information specialists, or media specialists in
    academic, public, school or special libraries. The scholarship
    award will be made to a qualified current student or officially
    admitted new student enrolled in graduate course work in the School
    of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern
    Mississippi. Both full time and part time students are eligible.
    This scholarship is made possible by an endowment fund which is
    administered by the Mississippi Library Association and which is
    awarded annually on a competitive basis by the MLA Scholarship
    Committee.
  2. Committee Duties:
    1. Publicity for the scholarship.
    2. Selection and notification of the scholarship recipient.
    3. Fund raising and solicitations for funds to keep the interest
      on the Peggy May fund sufficient for the scholarship.
    4. Notify Mississippi Libraries and Handbook Committee of
      scholarship recipient.
  3. Criteria:
    1. Academic excellence and leadership capabilities.
    2. Evidence of commitment to a career in the field of library and
      information science in the state of Mississippi.
    3. Previous experience or activity in the library field is a bonus
      but not necessary to be considered for the award.
  4. Time Line:
    1. Deadline for applications is April 15.
    2. Selection will be completed and award recipient notified by May
      15.
    3. Publicity for following calendar year’s scholarship is June 1 -
      April 1.
    4. Scholarship will be awarded at the MLA annual conference, if
      possible.
  5. Application submission instructions:
    1. Applicant will submit to the School of Library and Information
      Science at the University of Southern Mississippi the
      following:
      1. Completed official Peggy May/MLA Scholarship application
        form.
      2. Official transcript from college or university granting the
        latest degree.
      3. Three references who can attest to the applicant’s potential as
        a professional librarian.
    2. The library school will verify enrollment status of each
      applicant.
    3. The library school will forward the applications to the
      Scholarship Committee chair.
  6. Publicity: Announcement of the scholarship award will be made
    available via several sources:
    1. Links from the MLA, the MLC and the USM Library School Web
      pages.
    2. MAGNOLIA.
    3. Letters included in the library school information packets on
      their library science program.
    4. Meetings for the Library and Information Science Student
      Association (LISSA) at USM.
    5. Other appropriate methods.
  7. Funding: In addition to administering the scholarship, the
    Scholarship Committee will be responsible for fund raising
    activities.
    1. Endowed fund administered by MLA and awarded annually on a
      competitive basis by the MLA Scholarship Committee.
    2. Goal is to fund a $600 scholarship from the interest on the
      Peggy May fund.
32. Web Page Committee

Chapter Four: Committees

About MLA