Membership is for everyone: staff, students, retirees, and advocates from libraries of all types - public, academic, school, and special.
Professional Development
- Annual state conference, chapter meetings and other professional development and educational opportunities in cooperation with other library organizations
- Discounts for MLA sponsored CEU-backed professional development opportunities
- Discounts for the annual Maryland Library Association and Delaware Library Association Conference
- Discounts for many ALA-sponsored area conferences
Networking
- Access to MLA Connect, a social media and engagement platform for all MLA members to connect with and learn from one another
- Opportunities to meet with peers and expand the circle of valuable library contacts through division/interest group meetings and members-only events.
- Membership access to numerous affinity groups, including the Black Caucus of the Maryland Library Association and the LGBTQIA+ Interest Group
- Access to archived issues of MLA publication, the CRAB
- Discounted ALA/MLA joint membership for library school students
Advocacy
- Sponsorship of state legislative activities and participation in national efforts in cooperation with other state and national library organizations
- MLA’s Intellectual Freedom Panel is a partner in the fight against censorship, and MLA’s Library Advocacy Interest Group empowers members to advocate for libraries.
- Award programs honoring outstanding library service
- Support for library service to children, teens, adults, and older adults
- Promotion of lifelong learning and literacy
- Promotion of Maryland libraries through association activities and exhibits at state and national conferences
Awards & Scholarships
- Annual awards include the Margaret Carty Emerging Leader Award and the Outstanding Member Award
- Scholarships available for conferences, workshops, and those seeking higher education