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MLA DocKits

Production Guidelines

To top of page Responsibilities

DocKit compilers' responsibilities include:

  • soliciting contributions via publications (e.g., MLA News, section and chapter newsletters), email lists (e.g., MLA-FOCUS, MEDLIB-L), and other appropriate avenues
  • reviewing submitted documents for content, legibility, and ability to be reproduced
  • selecting appropriate representative documents
  • verifying copyright legality of selected documents by obtaining a signed copyright release form from each contributor (use this copyright release form)
  • organizing materials (e.g., introduction, table of contents, order of documents)
  • writing the introduction
  • numbering the pages, including the table of contents
  • distributing a draft copy to the MLA director of publications for review
  • making revisions based on recommendations from the DocKit coordinator
  • sending the final document to MLA's director of publications, where staff will edit the introduction and table of contents and design a front and back cover
  • collecting and sending original copyright release forms to MLA's director of publications who will maintain them at MLA headquarters
  • making final revisions recommended by MLA staff

To top of page Format

DocKits should be setup as 8½x11-inch, letter-style documents and submitted electronically. The final compilation should be sent as a single attached Word file (preferred format) via email.

MLA provides no editorial revision other than proofreading and editing of the introduction and table of contents and adding a footer that includes copyright date and name of the publication. MLA will spot check formatting for consistency and legibility. Materials should follow these guidelines:

  • if documents are not electronic, compiler(s) should submit only original documents or very clear photocopies; introductory material must be sent in electronic format
  • pages should have ¾" to 1" margins to accommodate spiral binding
  • documents should be on white paper with black print
  • all pages, including the table of contents, should be consecutively numbered
  • consult Word Help for guidelines on page breaks and pagination
  • close attention must be given to the format of the tables submitted. Tables should be setup using a word processor's table commands or by using a single tab between columns and a hard return between rows. DO NOT use the space bar to align tables.
  • please keep formatting and fonts to a minimum
  • a 10-point to 12 -point type face is preferred
  • if possible, please provide an index

Final documents are maintained at MLA headquarters and reproduced on demand either in print or PDF format.

To top of page For More Information

For more information, contact MLA's director of publications, Medical Library Association, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7246; 312.419.9094 x23; fax, 312.419.8950.

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