The purposes of the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library Association are to:
• promote excellence in health through timely access to information
• promote and stimulate interest in health sciences libraries/health sciences information management
• provide continuing education and informational opportunities in health sciences librarianship
• promote interest and membership in the Medical Library Association (MLA)
• provide a channel of communication between Chapter members and MLA
• provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information
• provide a network of health sciences librarians
• promote and foster cooperation among medical and allied health sciences librarians
• promote legislation supportive of the health sciences and health sciences libraries

GOAL 1: Southern Chapter/MLA facilitates each member's achievement of a learning continuum that enables professional growth and acquisition of skills required for a successful career in an ever changing field .

OBJECTIVE 1.A - Assist each member in the design and implementation of a plan for lifelong learning by providing quality professional development opportunities from a variety of sources including through continuing education opportunities at Annual Meetings. Date of Completion: Fall, 2005 .

OBJECTIVE 1.B - Recognize and encourage exceptional work of members through honors, awards and other acknowledgements . Date of Completion: Fall, 2005.

OBJECTIVE 1.C - Continue liaisons and/or representation with the Continuing Education Committee of MLA , other MLA Chapters and appropriate groups for the purposes of communication and coordination of educational opportunities. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

OBJECTIVE 1.D - Promote interaction and involvement with MLA and its activities. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

GOAL 2: Southern Chapter/MLA furthers the development of the field of health sciences librarianship by promoting scholarship and research.

OBJECTIVE 2.A - Facilitate research in health information science including by encouraging members to participate in the MLA Benchmarking Network and by publicizing funding opportunities. Date of Completion: Ongoing, beginning March 2005.

OBJECTIVE 2.B - Recognize and publicize research contributions of members through SC/MLA communications channels. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

GOAL 3: F acilitate the dissemination of information on library innovations and trends.

Objective 3. A - Provide for Contributed Papers and Poster Sessions at the Annual Meeting. Date of Completion: Fall 2005.

Objective 3.B - Offer specialized information exchange opportunities at the Annual meeting such as the hospital librarians' event . Date of Completion: Fall 2005.

GOAL 4: Ensure fiscal health of the SC/MLA both presently and for the long term.

OBJECTIVE 4.A – Develop and maintain a budget where annual revenues exceed expenses under the guidance of an ad hoc finance committee . Plan Due by: March 2005.

OBJECTIVE 4.B - Provide for unanticipated expenses. Plan Due by: May 2005. Plan Due by: May 2005.

OBJECTIVE 4.C - Ensure that special funds/accounts of SC are administered and expended in a fiscally responsible manner to meet the needs of the association placing a special emphasis on procuring continuing funding for Chapter awards and the hospital librarians' program at the Annual Meeting. Plan Due by: May 2005.

GOAL 5: Encourage excellence and leadership through communication of ideas and promotion of the organization and its programs.

OBJECTIVE 5.A - Hold an annual meeting every year, at locations that rotate throughout the Southeast. Date of Completion: Fall 2005.

OBJECTIVE 5.B - Publish the Chapter newsletter, Southern Expressions, on a regular schedule. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

OBJECTIVE 5.C - Host a moderated Internet discussion list, available to all Chapter members. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

OBJECIVE 5. D - Maintain a Chapter Web site with timely information for members including up-to-date Committee Manuals. Annual review and update of Website due by: Jan, 2005.

GOAL 6: Develop programs which foster recruitment into the profession of medical librarianship.

OBJECTIVE 6.A – Investigate and make recommendations on strategies to increase the visibility of health sciences librarians and to encourage health sciences librarianship as a career . Report due by: May, 2005.

OBJECTIVE 6.B - Provide opportunities for new member and student involvement in Southern Chapter, e.g. a student gathering at the Annual Meeting, welcome packets and personal contacts for each new member, the Mentor/Mentee Program . Date of Completion: March, 2005 for new calendar year members and ongoing.

OBJECTIVE 6.C - Achieve greater cultural and ethnic diversity in the Chapter and the profession. Date of Completion: Ongoing.

OBJECTIVE 6.D -Encourage student participation in SC/MLA by contacting library schools; and by promoting attendance at annual meetings by offering scholarships. Date of Completion: May, 2005.