Editor for MLA Newsletter

Date Posted: / 12/16/2014
Description & Details
MLA seeks an innovative editor to build upon theMLA Newsletter’s excellent traditions and transform theNewsletterfrom its current format into dynamic and timely sources of association news and information. The purpose of theNewsletterhas been to keep the membership of the Association abreast of events, ideas, and trends related to music librarianship, and that purpose will carry forward into the future. While working to re-envision theNewsletter, the editor willprepare a vision and timeline for transforming theNewsletter, in consultation with the Publications Committee, to be presented to the Board for the Fall 2015 Board meeting,following Board approval, implement the plan,
maintain the currentNewsletterformat until the new format can be implemented, andserve as a member of the Publications Committee.
History
TheMLA Newsletterhas been published four times a year: September/October, November/December, March/April, and May/June. Preparation for an issue has typically begun eight weeks prior to its publication, with the majority of the editor’s work taking place in the two weeks prior to publication. Responsibilities of the editor have included:
  • establishing an annual publication budget
  • soliciting items for publication
  • reviewing relevant literature for additional information that should be brought to the attention of members of the Association
  • editing member submissions
  • preparing the html for publication on the OJS (Open Journal Systems) platform
Term
The editor serves a term of five years subject to favorable annual reviews. The editor is evaluated annually at the fall board meeting. The successful candidate will be announced at the February 2015 annual meeting in Denver, and will work closely with the current incumbent to prepare and publish the March/April 2015 issue, which will remain in the current format.
Benefits
The editor receives gratis MLA regular membership and MLA annual meeting early-regular-member registration.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will demonstrate a vision for moving theNewsletterforward, while understanding that the current format may need to be retained for a period of time. Editorial experience, project management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, literacy in web publishing and social networking, and membership in the Music Library Association are required. Experience using image editing software such as Adobe is preferred.
How to Apply / Contact
Applications should include the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, a statement describing possibilities for moving theNewsletterto a new format, samples of writing or editing if any, and the names of three references. Selected candidates will be asked to interview via telephone with the MLA Newsletter Editor Search Committee: Amanda Maple (chair), Erica Charis, and Tomoko Shibuya. Follow-up interviews will take place during the 2015 annual meeting in Denver.
Please address applications or nominations via email to Amanda Maple at:

Deadline: Review of applications will begin on January 19, 2015.

Editor of the Music Library Association’s Newsletter

The Music Library Association is seeking applications for a new editor of theMLA Newsletter. The present editor will retire following the November–December 2009 issue, with the new appointment effective in January. The incoming editor will have the opportunity to observe the editorial process and collaborate with the present editor on the November–December issue. The Newsletter is currently published four times per year (March–April, May–June, September–October, and November–December). Preparation for an issue typically begins three months prior to its publication, with the majority of the editor’s work taking place in the two weeks prior to sending to A-R Editions for publication.

Responsibilities:

Using the recommendations from the Newsletter Task Force, the editor will work with the President and Board to chart a new direction for the Newsletter.The Task Force suggested several changes to the content and creation of the Newsletter, including, but not limited to, separating editorial work from production work, establishing regular columns for contributed content, creating an annual index of the Newsletter, creating other avenues of distribution such as RSS feeds for Newsletter content, and considering what content might be presented in other MLA venues (for example, via MLA-L or the MLA web site). However, these changes are not expected to be implemented until the new Editor has been in place for at least one year. The new editor will require vision to develop the newsletter in new directions to meet current needs and interests of music libraries and librarians; should be comfortable withchange, technology, and taking initiative.

Qualifications:

Prospective editors must have demonstrated editorial experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to meet firm deadlines. The editor is currently responsible for all facets of the MLA Newsletter’s production and distribution. This includes setting a budget, gathering and editing news and articles, and working with the graphic designer.Must have access to electronic mail and be familiar with major word processing programs. Additionally, familiarity with Dreamweaver (or other HTML design software), a photo editing program (simple resizing and cropping), and Adobe Acrobat (not the reader, but the program) is helpful.

Currently, the MLA Newsletter is published as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file on the Music Library Association’s web site. The editor also serves as a member of the MLA Publications

Committee and edits all MLA annual reports for publication. The decision of whether to maintain both the PDF and HTML versions of the Newsletter will be one of the decisions the new editor will make in consultation with the Board in the first year.

Honorarium:

The MLA Newsletter editor receives support for expenses necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position and an honorarium of $1,500.00 (FY2009/10). The customary duration of the position is four years.

Deadline:

Applications are due by 12 August 2009.Applications should include the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, samples of writing or editing if any, and the names of three references. Applicants

should respond to theTaskforce’s Reportand recommendations in their application cover letter.

Selected candidates will be asked to interview via telephone with the MLA Newsletter Editor Search Committee, Kirstin Dougan, chair (); Linda Solow Blotner (), Michelle Hahn (), Paula Elliot (), and Gerry Szymanski

().