Medical Library Association | Publications : MLA DocKits

MLA DocKits

Proposal Guidelines

MLA DocKits are collections of representative, unedited library documents from a variety of institutions that illustrate the range of approaches to topics related to health sciences libraries. The documents should be selected to complement each other, provide variety, and stimulate comparison and contrast.

Topics should be addressed from a perspective that is unique to health sciences libraries or should emphasize issues that are not adequately represented in library literature as a whole. The compiler adds introductory information, including a brief analysis of the documents contained in the kit.

Individuals interested in compiling a DocKit for publication by the Medical Library Association must submit a proposal to the MLA Books Panel.

Proposal

Potential DocKits compilers should submit the following information in a written proposal:

1. A statement of the compiler's qualifications, limited to a one-page summary of related work experience, education or training, committee activities, and publications or presentations. In the case of multiple authors (e.g., the project of an MLA section or chapter), the individual(s) with primary responsibility for completion of the project must be clearly identified; for multiple compilers, indicate the areas of project responsibility for each person.

2. A brief narrative of one or two pages that explains:

the need for the DocKit
the intended audience
the purpose of the DocKit
the scope of the DocKit
the benefits and unique features of the DocKit; how it differs from similar collections of documents (e.g., ARL SpecKits) that may be available elsewhere

3. A detailed description of the content and plans for acquiring documents, including

type, source, and number of documents to be included
method for collecting documents
contributors to be contacted
sponsorship of the project, if applicable (e.g., MLA section or chapter)
estimated time required to complete the project (because timeliness of DocKit topics is critical, they should be completed within four to six months after being accepted by the Books Panel)
detailed description of introductory material
estimated length of the completed DocKit

Submission and Review of Proposals

Email proposals to MLA's director of publications. Complete proposals are then forwarded to members of the Books Panel for evaluation. The deadline is open-ended, however the panel meets annually in May to review proposals in person (deadline for review in May is May 1). Other times of the year, evalutions are conducted by phone or email.

The decision to accept or reject a proposal is influenced by many factors, including the need for such a publication; its potential market; the author's qualifications (subject knowledge and writing skills); estimated production and marketing costs; and estimated sales. Comments and decisions on proposals are transmitted to prospective authors after the final review.

Approved Proposals

The Books Panel will provide compilers of approved proposals with production guidelines and a letter of agreement from MLA headquarters specifying the rights (including the receipt of author royalties) and responsibilities of the compilers and MLA regarding published DocKits. MLA letters of agreement are typically mailed to compilers within thirty days after a proposal's acceptance.

Author Contract

A letter of agreement between the author and MLA is signed only after the proposal is accepted by the Books Panel.

Manuscript Review and Production

The completed DocKit will be reviewed by editorial staff at MLA headquarters. Only the table of contents and introduction will be proofread; the remaining documents will be reviewed briefly for production quality. MLA's Publications Department coordinates the production, printing, and marketing of the kit. This process takes approximately three to four weeks.

For More Information

For more information, contact MLA's director of publications at MLA, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7246; 312.419.9094; fax, 312.419.8950.

MLA DocKits

MLA DocKit Production Guidelines