MLA News

Summary of the Merger of IAML-US and MLA (Music Library Association)

See below for a list of documents related to this summary

Objective

Merge IAML-US with MLA; the combined association will be known as Music Library Association.

Rationale

• IAML-US cannot truly represent the work of US music librarians on the world stage because the work of its members is a fraction of we do in the United States.  When combined with MLA, we can truly show the world what US music librarians do.  
• This system of two music library organizations is unique in the world and exists because MLA pre-dated the establishment of IAML.  And almost all members of IAML-US are members of MLA.

Process up to now

San Diego Meeting (February 2010)

• A Town Hall, sponsored by the presidents of both organizations (Ruthann McTyre, MLA; Judy Tsou, IAML-US) was held in San Diego during the MLA Meeting. 
• The presidents presented the planto the membership of both organizations. 
• The audience discussed the advantages of the merger (meeting notes here) and decided that there was no downside to such a union.  They overwhelmingly supported moving forward with the merging plan.
• The straw vote at the end of the meeting reflected the strong support; there was no negative vote. 
• With this support, the two presidents formed a joint task force to work out details of the merger.

Iowa City Task Force Meeting (September 2010) –

• The Task Force further fleshed out the finer points of the merger (meeting notes here) 
• Various legal documents were signed at this meeting.  They include: 
  • Plan of Merger, signed by the 2 presidents
  • Resolutions to approve the Plan of Merger and to approve changes to the constitution as a result of the merger, signed by the voting members of the MLA Board of Directors.
• Subsequently, the voting members of IAML-US board also signed the corresponding documents (Resolution to approve the Plan of Merger, Resolution to approve changes to the constitution) for IAML-US.

Votes

IAML-US Membership votes—Mid-November to Mid-December

• Individual and institutional IAML-US members will be sent ballots to vote on the dissolution of IAML-US in order to merge with MLA.
• Maryland Law (where IAML-US is incorporated) stipulates that two-thirds of the eligible votes are needed for the merger approval.

January – If the above vote passes, MLA will send out a notice for the membership that includes:

• Information on the merger.
• A ballot for the constitutional amendment to include IAML-US (to be voted on in February; see below).
• Information on the affiliation with IAML (to be voted on at the Business meeting in Philadelphia).
• Information on the Plan of Merger.

February – Philadelphia annual meeting of MLA

• At the Business Meeting, MLA members will vote in person (as stipulated by the bylaws) on the affiliation of MLA with IAML (the international organization).    
• If the affiliation vote is positive, MLA members will vote on the amendment of the constitution to include IAML-US in its organization.  This will be a mail vote.

Structure and management of the merged organization (Music Library Association)

• There will be one Board and one president for the merged association.
• The president of MLA will represent the United States at IAML meetings.
• There will be a two-tiered membership:
  • MLA member
  • A combined MLA /IAML member
• The current different levels of MLA membership will be retained.
• IAML members must join MLA.  This should not be an issue: currently, there are only 4 people in this category, and most of them have already said they will join MLA.
• The current president of IAML-US (Judy Tsou) will be an ex-officio member of the Board of MLA for 18 months to ensure a smooth transition.
• AR has been the management company for both organizations and will continue to do so for the combined organization.  There will be a new agreement for the management of the combined organization.

Fiscal Matters

• There will be one budget for the combined organization, with a line budget for IAML.
• The dues to the international IAML will be kept in a separate line to ensure an accurate count of membership for IAML.
• IAML-US endowment funds, such as the Lenore Coral Travel Grant Endowment, will continue as an MLA endowment.
• Subsidies to RILM-US Office will continue; it will be equal to the amount of the two organizations’ combined contribution.
• Neither organization will be adversely affected fiscally by the merger.
  • Both organizations are solvent and have a good reserve of money
  • The only expense will be one-time attorney fees for implementing the merger
  • There will be one-time programming fees for AR to combine the management of the two organizations

Iowa City Report (September 2010)

Plan of Merger (September 2010)

Merger meeting notes

Merger presentation

Resolution to approve change to constitution

Resolution to approve plan of merger

What do you think? Please email the heads of both organizations with your comments.