Middle East Librarians Association

The Middle East Librarians Association (MELA) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of libraries and librarianship in relation to Middle East studies. It was established in November 1972 by 17 librarians at the sixth annual meeting of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA).

Mission

MELA's mission is multifaceted:

• Facilitating Communication: It aims to enhance communication among its members through meetings and publications.
• Professional Development: MELA focuses on improving the quality of area librarianship by setting professional standards and educating specialists in Middle East library materials.
• Information Dissemination: The organization compiles and disseminates information about Middle East libraries and collections.
• Cooperation and Research: MELA encourages cooperation among members and with other library organizations, particularly in material acquisition and bibliographic control. It also promotes research and development in indexing and automated techniques as applied to Middle East materials.

Operations

MELA publishes a professional journal called MELA Notes. The organization offers various membership options, including individual, institutional, foreign, and lifetime memberships. Annual dues for most membership categories are $50, while lifetime membership requires a one-time payment of $600. MELA consists of approximately seventy members from over fifty institutions worldwide.

Meetings and Governance

MELA's annual meetings are typically held in conjunction with MESA's annual conference, usually two days prior. These meetings provide opportunities for networking and professional engagement among members. The organization has had various leaders over the years; notable past roles include Sharon C. Smith, who served as vice president and president-elect before becoming the president in 2016.

Legacy

MELA was founded to address the specific needs of librarians dealing with Middle East materials. Since its inception, it has played a crucial role in fostering collaboration, setting standards, and advancing professional practices in this specialized field of librarianship.