The MLA Citation, the Association's tribute for lifetime achievement, is awarded in recognition of distinguished service to music librarianship over a career. Citation recipients become Honorary Members of MLA.
- 2009
- Linda Solow Blotner
- 2008
- A. Ralph Papakhian
- 2005
- Joseph Boonin
- 2003
- Paula Matthews
- 2001
- Carol June Bradley
Stephen M. Fry
Melva L. Peterson - 1999
- Richard F. French
- 1998
- Mary Wallace Davidson
- 1997
- Ida Reed
- 1996
- Don L. Roberts
- 1994
- Susan T. Sommer
- 1993
- Ann Basart
- 1991
- Lenore Coral
- 1990
- James B. Coover
Nicolas Slonimsky - 1989
- Thor E. Wood
- 1988
- D.W. Krummel
- 1987
- Barry S. Brook
- 1986
- Ruth Watanabe
Dena J. Epstein - 1985
- Walter Gerboth
- 1984
- Carleton Sprague Smith
Richard Angell - 1983
- William Schwann
Frank C. Campbell - 1982
- Florence Kretzschmar
- 1980
- Anna Harriet Heyer
Vincent H. Duckles - 1979
- Otto Albrecht
- 1978
- William J. Weichlein
Mary Lou Little
Edward E. Colby - 1976
- William Lichtenwanger
- 1974
- Elizabeth Olmsted
Irene Millen - 1971
- Edward Waters
Harold Spivacke
Virginia Cunningham - 1970
- Kurtz Myers
- 1967
- Mary Rogers
- 1966
- Richard S. Hill
Catharine K. Miller
Philip L. Miller
Helen J. Sleeper - 1965
- George Sherman Dickinson
Barbara Duncan
Otto Kinkeldey
Eva Judd O'Meara