Books Panel

Established in 1976; Revised May 1988, May 1990, February 2001, September 2005, October 2012

The Books Panel manages the MLA books program by solliciting and reviewing book submissions in collaboration with the MLA publisher.

The panel consists of at least seven members, two appointed annually for three-year terms. The chair remains for a fourth year, and a chair-designate, selected from the third-year members, succeeds as chair. The panel shall:

• conduct its business during monthly conference calls, email, and at the MLA annual meeting.
• actively solicit and propose ideas for new publications, evaluate proposals, and select authors of MLA books within the recommended scope of the publishing program.
• identify outside reviewers to review manuscripts as needed.
• increase awareness of MLA Publishing by finding ways to make it more visible to a variety of audiences, including library school professors and MLA members.
• promote book publishing in order to foster the professional development of members.
• prepare and submit annual objectives, budget, and midyear and annual reports.
• conduct evaluation of the book publication program on a regular basis