History and Purpose
The Missouri Library Network Corporation (MLNC) was founded on
October 19, 1981 by the representatives of thirty-one Missouri
libraries. The mission of the Missouri Library Network Corporation
(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).
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.
Membership
Membership confers many benefits and is required to obtain
products and services offered by MLNC. Three categories of membership
are available: Full member, Associate member, and Participant. 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.
Governance
MLNC is governed by a board of directors.
Board members’ terms are staggered, and new board members are elected at
the Corporation’s annual meeting. Each Full MLNC member has one
representative to the Corporation and all representatives are eligible
for board membership. MLNC follows the by-laws
of the Corporation.
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.
Awards
The Ronald G. Bohley Award is to be presented by the Missouri
Library Association and the Missouri Library Network Corporation 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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