Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association

Mission
MHSLA's purpose is to promote excellence in health sciences librarianship by providing its membership with opportunities for professional growth, fostering communication between members and their regions, facilitating resource sharing, increasing awareness of new technologies, providing high-quality continuing education, and conducting research in health sciences information services. View Bylaws.

History
The Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association was officially organized in 1977, though Michigan health sciences librarians have been active in resource sharing and cooperative ventures since World War II. Regional groups first developed in 1962 when the Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group was formed. They produced the first union list of health sciences serials in the state. From 1972 through the early '80s, other local groups organized in Michigan as part of MHSLA.

Membership
Membership is open to all people actively engaged or interested in health sciences information management. MHSLA members work in hospitals, academia, corporations, or as private consultants and information brokers.

Regional Groups
The following regional groups send representatives to MHSLA:
*Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group (MDMLG)
*Mid-Michigan Health Sciences Libraries (MMHSL)
*Western Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association (WMHSLA)

Benefits of Membership
*Reduced Rates for the Annual Conference
*Opportunity to participate in MHSLA grants
*Union list of serials in Michigan health sciences libraries
*Membership directory
*Newsletter
*For institutional members, the opportunity to participate in group purchases of electronic resources

Annual Conference
An annual educational conference and business meeting is held each fall with the regional groups rotating the hosting responsibilities. Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel, the St. Clair Inn, Dearborn Hyatt, Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, Traverse City's Park Place, Grand Rapids Amway Grand Plaza and East Lansing's Marriott have all served as conference sites. MLA-sponsored CE courses, workshops and nationally-known speakers help provide participants with the most current information in health sciences librarianship.

Outreach and Advocacy
MHSLA Brochure
MHSLA Bookmark